Kovalev vs Shabranskyy: Dmitry Bivol wants to face compatriot Sergey Kovalev 'at some stage'
Friday 24 November 2017 11:53, UK
Dmitry Bivol wants to fight compatriot and light-heavyweight rival Sergey Kovalev "at some stage".
Russia's WBA champion will be watching closely as Kovalev looks to pick up the vacant WBO title when he takes on Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, in New York, in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.
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Bivol has sparred with Shabranskyy and although he gives him "a chance" of upsetting the odds, he expects Kovalev to pick up one of the belts he lost to Andre Ward.
The unbeaten 26-year-old wants to unify the 175lbs division down the line and with another Russian, Artur Beterbiev holding the IBF title, admits he would happily take on 'Krusher' in the future.
I don't know Kovalev personally, but he is one of the best and strongest fighters so I want to fight him at some stage. He is the best
"It will be very interesting to see this fight, because it's his comeback," Bivol exclusively told Sky Sports.
"I don't know him personally, but he is one of the best and strongest fighters, so I want to fight him at some stage. He is the best.
"That won't change the way I feel about him and respect him. That goes for anyone else I fight.
"I don't think Kovalev will change much and because of the type of fighter he is, and the skills he's got, it will be enough for him to win on Saturday night."
Bivol knows Shabranskyy well and even if he expects Kovalev to return to winning ways, believes the Ukrainian will make a fight of it.
The 'Lion Heart' will carry an 81 per cent KO ratio into the ring in Madison Square Garden and has only lost once, to Sullivan Barrera, who is also on the card.
"We've sparred a number of times and he's a good guy and a great character," said Bivol.
"One thing I can tell you is, he won't give up. He will definitely make this a great fight.
"I would say his height is one of his biggest advantages. He's pretty strong and his punches are pretty hard when they land and as I say, he has a lot of character.
"There are boxers and then there are fighters, and he's a fighter."
Watch Sergey Kovalev vs Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, from Madison Square Garden, New York, in the early hours of Sunday, November 26, live on Sky Sports.
