Dmitry Bivol was asked who was the tougher opponent out of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
The 31-year-old’s last two fights have been against the Mexicans. In May he defeated Alvarez and then in November he took on his compatriot Zurdo to retain the belt once more.
Bivol appeared on The DAZN Boxing Show to discuss his future and his recent activity, and was asked about the comparison between the pair. He believes Canelo is more powerful, but Ramirez offered more combinations of blows.
“Two different fighters,” he began.
“To be honest, I spent much more energy and focus on Canelo, all fight I was focused and I had to work every round and win every round.”
He then said: “About power, of course Canleo is more powerful. He punched harder, but Ramirez used combinations. He threw three punches, Canelo one or two. Canelo’s faster.”
In order to prepare for Zurdo’s approach, he switched to those of a similar stature and those who favoured their left hand to match Ramirez’s southpaw stance.
“I changed a little bit, we changed the sparring partners,” he said.
“If I’m going to fight Ramirez, I take more who are taller, who are southpaw. Some combinations and movements are a little bit different, on the left, on the right.”
Bivol is likely to wait for a rematch against Canelo, but may take on Artur Beterbiev once his compatriot takes care of his planned obligations.