Dmitry Bivol does not think he deserves to be above Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the pound-for-pound list.
There has been some discussion over the various rankings that had Canelo at number one before the fight, which he had been expected to win - going by the bookmakers, at least.
However while the Mexican might now slip down the lists as a result of his second-ever defeat, a comprehensive win from his WBA light heavyweight champion opponent, Bivol does not think he deserves to usurp him.
Speaking to the DAZN Boxing Show, Bivol was reluctant to make any bold claims.
“I don’t like questions like this to be honest,” he said. “I don’t know, I just beat the P4P best but I don’t think I can take his place and me, P4P best? No, I don’t know where I am.”
However, he did admit that he believed he should now be in the top 10, but needed more high profile fights if he wanted to move up further.
“I agree. I need more good names I want to prove, I want to take another belt, I want this because I don’t feel I am the biggest name in the world,” he stated.
“For me, another good fighter inside of me [and] I can move forward. If I take more belts, I will improve more. If I beat Canelo again, I will stay the same.”
Bivol also acknowledged that Canelo’s achievements to get to number one cannot be discounted because of this loss.
“He moved up, and he still has four belts at super middleweight, and he is a champion at four weight classes .
“He’s a great fighter, he’s a legend still and everyone has haters, and that’s the time for Canelo’s haters. He’s still one of the best and I respect him and his team.”