Dmitry Bivol revealed who is the hardest puncher he has ever faced, and it’s not Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Bivol successfully defended his WBA light heavyweight belt in May 2022 against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo, but was the winner against the odds.
Despite being the underdog he was clearly the better fighter on the night, and demonstrated his ability as he appeared to cruise to a victory against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, another Mexican, at the start of November.
The 31-year-old now has a wait ahead of him as he waits to see what fight is offered to him next that he wishes to take, with the most likely two either a rematch with Canelo, or an undisputed clash with compatriot Artur Beterbiev.
The champion appeared on The DAZN Boxing Show to discuss the career that is ahead of him as well as his past achievements, and he was asked about who the most powerful puncher he faced ever was.
Many regard Canelo as one the pound-for-pound heaviest hands in boxing, but while Bivol acknowledged his strength, he thought one boxer offered more.
“One of the hardest punchers was [Jean] Pascal. Canelo, when he hits, it’s a heavy punch,” he conceded.
“With Pascal it’s heavy and sharp, he has a heavy punch too.”
Bivol beat Pascal back in 2018, as one of his 10 successful title defences.