Dmitry Bivol is ready to emerge as boxing's next Russian superstar and looking to impress in his first main event fight in the United States.
Before fighting Jean Pascal in his third WBA light heavyweight title defense on November 24, Bivol spoke to Fightful in a recent media conference call. Fightful asked Bivol on his feelings regarding his first HBO main event bout stateside and said he's excited for the opportunity.
Bivol added that he doesn't feel any added pressure in this fight compared to his previous fights, despite the level of opposition increasing each time out. The 27-year-old Bivol said his goal in every fight is to prove that he is the best light heavyweight boxer in the world and November 24 won't be any different.
"Of course I'm glad. It means I'm going the right way in my career. I'm glad that HBO and Kathy Duva and World of Boxing are giving me this opportunity to fight in the main event. It's a big responsibility for me. You know, when I go into the ring, every time I feel that I should show all my skills, all my best. I should show to people all my best skills. It doesn't matter now or my first fight. Every time, I feel the responsibility. I just want people to believe and I want to prove to everybody I'm the best in the division. These are the steps I want to take. There's always responsibility I take on," Bivol said.
Bivol will be making his third world title defense and second straight appearance at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Bivol's last fight saw him defeat Isaac Chilemba with the fight being televised on HBO. The November 24 card is the second-to-last live boxing card HBO will air before ultimately shutting down regular boxing broadcasts starting in 2019.
