Press Release
July 24, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ellen Haley
Dmitry Bivol Has Big Plans for His Rivals
In the Light Heavyweight Division
Dmitry Bivol
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
| (Los Angeles, California) – Just four years after making his professional debut,WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (13-0, 11 KOs) of Russia finds himself with a problem unique to formidable champions: finding worthy opponents willing to go up against him.
Fortunately, light heavyweight contender Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (25-5-2, 10 KOs) of Malawi stepped up to the challenge. Bivol and Chilemba will fight in the co-main event on the Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Eleider “Storm” Alvarez card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday, August 4. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. “I respect him,” said Bivol of Chilemba. “He took this fight. He fought against the big guys in the division like Kovalev and Alvarez. Both times he fought all 12 rounds. He has good experience. I think he’s stronger than he was one year ago. Sometimes this (a loss) makes you better,” said Bivol. Bivol relishes the challenge, especially because finding worthy opponents is becoming more difficult as he racks up one impressive performance after another, seemingly with ease. And he’s only improving. “After every fight, you learn something. I hope I will be stronger this fight,” said Bivol, who is coming off a 12th rough TKO win over Sullivan Barrera, handing the Cuban his first career loss. “Every time we’re working in the gym on a stronger fight, on my stronger side. I don’t think about my opponent’s weak side, I think about my strengths, every time.” Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, says Bivol was already a complete fighter when he turned professional after an accomplished amateur career. “The last ten fights have given him the confidence to face any of the top fighters. I think a lot of the others are already not interested in fighting him, not as interested as they are showing. It’s the problem every top world fighter has. “Many people already know Dmitry Bivol is one of the top pound-for-pound prospects in boxing today. He doesn’t like to show off and be flashy. That’s how his parents raised him. But at the end of the day, Dmitry Bivol will prove he’s one of the top pound for pound fighters. He doesn’t like to talk about it; he will show it in the ring. In a little bit of time, the fans will be able to see it.” Nevertheless, Kornilov is confident Bivol’s promoters, World of Boxing and Main Events, can make the big fights happen, even if potential opponents and their promoters are afraid of him. Bivol says his dream is to be an undisputed champion. “I think in the next year, he will take bigger steps toward that goal,” said Kornilov. Bivol says his confidence is growing, but at the same time, his level of responsibility is growing after every fight – especially the motivation to take care of his young family. For the first time, Bivol’s wife and two young children joined him for the first few weeks of training camp in Oxnard, which helped him avoid being homesick while spending several months apart in St. Petersburg, Russia and Oxnard, California. “Of course, it’s helped me,” said Bivol. “When my family is with me, I can see my kids and my wife, and she can make favorite meals. They are here three weeks and then go home. I’m happy they’ve seen America.” Bivol’s son Miron, age three and a half, loves the water whether it is a swimming pool or the beach. “He likes California. When he went to LA, he asks every time, ‘Are there any pools?’ “They are my motivation. They motivate me. I think about why I love them, that’s why I’m working so hard. I work hard to support them, so they will see how I feel,” said Bivol. Bivol says one of the side benefits of boxing is the opportunity to see the world, including Atlantic City. “I’m glad when I fight in a new city, one I’ve never been to … I’m blessed to be in Atlantic City, in a most famous area for boxing. I’m glad people from Atlantic City will see my fight. I hope they enjoy it.” About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy’ Chilemba. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and World of Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. FOLLOW US: #KovalevAlvarez Twitter: @krusherkovalev Facebook: facebook.com/shopkrusher Instagram: @SergeyKrusherKovalev Twitter: @eleideralvarez Facebook: facebook.com/eleiderstormalvarez Instagram: @eleiderstormalvarez Twitter: @Bivol_D Instagram: @Bivol_D Twitter: @Isaac_Chilemba Instagram: @Isaac_Chilemba Twitter: @main_events Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing Instagram: @Main_Events Facebook: facebook.com/groupeyvonmichel Instagram: @groupeyvonmichel Twitter: @WorldofBox Instagram: @vsenabox www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com Twitter: @HardRockHCAC Facebook: facebook.com/HardRockHCAC/ Instagram: @hardrockhcac Twitter: @HBOBoxing Facebook: facebook.com/HBOBoxing Instagram: @hboboxing Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,100 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and the Howie Mandel Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and 24-Hour Access to Body Rock fitness. For more information and to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com. ### |
| MEDIA CONTACTS:
Main Events: Ellen Haley, ehaley@mainevents.com, 973-903-6715 Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, FVG/Main Events: (619) 997-2495, gfalkenthal@gmail.com Ed Keenan, EMC: 609-432-7859, keenan@emcevents.com Patrick Byrne, HBO: (212) 512-1361, patrick.byrne@hbo.com Sharon Pearce, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City: (609) 449-5078, Sharon.Pearce@hrhcac.com |
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