Via Sam Volz: Tim Bradley was impressed with WBA lightweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s range control with a win over Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on November 5.
The way Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) moved in and out of range and dominated former WBO super-heavyweight champion Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) impressed Bradley.
Bivol had toyed with the unbeaten Ramirez before, beating him by a unanimous decision in the 12th round by 117–111, 117–111 and 118–110.
Ramirez, 6’4 ″, had the size advantage, but that didn’t matter as Bivol was out of reach when the Mexico star attempted to land.
Later in the battle, Bivol realized it was too fast for Ramirez on the inside, and he overcame him.
Bivol will likely face Canelo Alvarez next in a rematch in May. Whether or not the fight takes place depends on whether Canelo’s surgically repaired left hand is ready to go at that point.
“He was a bad boy. He beat a heavyweight, man,” said Tim Bradley Sports artist KO on Dmitry Bivol’s victory over Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on 5 November.
“Ramirez hit about 200 lbs, and he [Bivol] supported him. I am sitting there. [Ramirez’s trainer] Julian [Chu]You should call me. I asked, ‘What game plan are you working on? Are you trying to walk away from a boxer? What the hell are you trying to do? And you’re being pushed with your hind legs from the opening bell? ‘
“I was blown away. I said, ‘Oh my God, what is he doing? What are you doing? You have to move forward, use your size, use your strength, try trying to bully this guy.’ Go to him; let those combinations fly. He didn’t do it,” Bradley said of Zurdo Ramirez’s failure to pull off combos and use his size. himself against Bivol.
“I’m talking to myself; I’m trying to understand the game plan. It’s too late when change comes too late. But Bivol, that’s a bad guy. The crazy thing is that Bivol is a smaller man, but has the ability to control distance and still be able to move forward at the same time. Those are great things.
“I have Bivol when he fights [Artur] Beterbiev. Hey man, listen to me. I’m telling you, Bivol knows every aspect of the ring. Against the ropes, he knows all that. He knows how to go down. His controller game is great on the inside, too.
“We were told that he has no insider games. Bivol has an inside game; he does. He puts these guys in position, then he takes advantage, then he lets go. I never saw Ramirez scared when he actually showed up. He was afraid.
“Every time he went out, he lost his balance, and Bivol stayed close enough and in the right range for them to strike. He made fun of him. I’m telling you it’s Bivol’s protection.
“I know strength, and whatever you mean is different and hand or type of strength. He still has to land that thing. He still has to figure out how to land that thing.
“It’s a 50-50 fight for strength, and Beterbiev is also smart, but legs. That’s the different factor, right there. That’s the difference right there, boxing.
“Bivol’s feet are much better, and I think he defends better. I think he’s gonna chop off Betterbiev. He will chop off his back. But if he gets caught, it could be night, night. But his IQ is too high.
“This guy is my top 5 pound-for-pound. Bivol is a bad boy. That is without a doubt,” Bradley said when told that Bivol could be boxer of the year for 2022. “He beat Canelo and then beat a champ by 40 fights. like that and toy with them?
“Dude, I didn’t think he would be able to joke around with them like that. Having fun with them, easy work, impractical,” Bradley said.
