Refusing Zurdo Ramirez To Be Next Opponent, Bivol: Not First Choice, I Want To Fight For More Belts First

Dmitry Bivol against Canelo Alvarez (Twitter @MMAfighting.com)

JAKARTA - After beating Germany's Dominic Boesel by knockout in the fourth round this weekend in Ontario, California, Mexico's Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez immediately asked for a chance to face Dmitry Bivol.

"Everyone knows I want Bivol. Stop dodging and sign a contract. I came for you and the belt. I deserved to fight you. I am stronger and smarter," said the World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, quoted by Marca, Wednesday, 18 May.

However, in the list of possible opponents for Bivol's next opponent is another candidate from a higher hierarchy. The duel against Zurdo Ramirez will be considered by Russian boxers at a later date.

“The fight against Gilberto Ramirez also appealed to me, but it was not my first choice. I want to fight for more belts first. But maybe it would be a good second option," he said in an interview to BoxingScene.

At the moment, the most attractive possibility for the team that coaches Bivol is to give him a rematch against Canelo Alvarez. However, if that fight were to materialize, it would have to be back in the light heavyweight division.

"We can talk about that (weight loss)," Bivol told The DAZN Boxing Show.

Now, Bivol's biggest concern is not in choosing the next opponent in the ring, but in finding a way to receive the money he earned from the win over Canelo.

Like most other Russians, sanctions imposed by the international community over the invasion of the army led by Vladimir Putin in Ukrainian territory have prevented these people from accessing their money in banks. So far, there has been no way to be taken other than to wait indefinitely.

In this case, the only alternative for Bivol is for him to fight for free or stop boxing until the war conflict ends.