Dmitry Bivol has reflected on the influence of his parents as he prepares to bid for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship crown versus Artur Beterbiev, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The WBA title holder will meet his divisional rival for the first time as they meet in a unification contest atop the bill at Riyadh Season's IV Crown Showdown on Saturday night.
Bivol, who has secured famous wins over Joe Smith Jr. and Canelo Alvarez across an unbeaten career, is looking to cement his place in boxing immortality.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight card |
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But he acknowledges he would have not had the chance had his parents not decided to uproot their family from Kyrgyzstan to support his ambitions as a child.
"I cannot tell that they sacrifice all only because of me," he told DAZN. "They sacrificed for all of my siblings. They knew that we needed a good university.
"Even if it was not sport, it would be abroad, because at that time, you could not see the opportunities [at home]. My parents moved for us all."
Born to a Moldovan father and Korean mother, Bivol has fond memories of growing up in Kyrgyzstan, and suggests that it has helped shape his outlook on life.
"It was multi-national, multi-cultural," he added. "In my grade in school, I felt myself as a normal human being. We were friendly with each other. We weren’t separated by culture."
Bivol will return to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the third time in his career when he faces off with Beterbiev this month.
He will not only be bidding to maintain his unbeaten record, but also to become the first man who has not been knocked out by the three-belt holder in the ring.
Watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol on DAZN
Watch Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, plus the whole fight card on DAZN Pay-Per-View, which also includes Fabio Wardley, Frazer Clarke, Chris Eubank Jr, Jai Opetaia, Ben Whittaker and Skye Nicolson all fighting.
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