MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russia’s WBA (World Boxing Association) Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol will maintain all his champion’s belts despite WBA’s recently announced sanctions in regard to boxers representing Russia, WBA’s spokesman told TASS on Thursday.
Last Sunday, Bivol defended his champion’s belt after defeating Saul Alvarez of Mexico in the 12-round bout in Las Vegas. All of three judges, who were present at the fight, cast their votes in favor of Russia’s Bivol announcing the final score of 115-113; 115-113 and 115-113.
"Dmitry Bivol will keep on holding to all of his belts, statuses and titles," the WBA spokesman said.
WBA announced a decision earlier to exclude Russian boxers from all ratings lists and also barred them from title bouts. Russia’s Bivol was an exception.
The 31-year-old Russian boxer is now holding an unblemished record of 20 wins, including 11 by KOs, in all of his professional boxing bouts.
In line with the most recent WBA regulations, the Russian fighter appeared before the bout on May 8 without the national flag of Russia, while the country’s national anthem was not played as well.
Mexico’s ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, 31, who boasts a record of 57 wins (39 by KOs) and two defeats, said he was aiming for the rematch with the Russian boxer.