On Saturday, November 24 Dmitry Bivol will square off with Jean Pascal on HBO’s World Championship Boxing® live from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City for the light heavyweight championship. The reigning champion, Russian Dmitry Bivol is considered to be one of the sport’s rising stars. A distinction his opponent, Jean Pascal, used to hold. For Bivol, this fight represents a life time of hard work and potentially a “statement” win.
” All my life I have wanted to headline HBO World Championship Boxing and now I am only days away from making a dream of mine come true.” (Dmitry Bivol Blog – Wednesday, November 14)
Bivol comes into the bout with a current record of (14-0) 11 of which ended with a knockout (79%). He’s considered by many to be the best light heavyweight in the world. Even more impressive, his career started just three years ago. In a recent interview with HBO, Bivol’s trainer, Gennady Mashianov says his fighter has qualities shared by some of the greats.
” In my 50 years as a boxer and trainer, I have seen two fighters beside Dmitry whose weapon is their IQ. Cassius Clay and Sugar Ray Leonard. ”
The underdog, Jean Pascal was the light heavyweight champion from 2009- 2011. He held the WBC, IBO, Ring magazine and lineal light-heavyweight titles. Currently Pascal is coming off a two fight win streak with a professional record of (33-5-1). Twenty of these fights have also ended in knockouts (50%).
Pascal isn’t phased by his underdog status for this fight, because it’s something he’s faced numerous times.
” This is the story of my life, to be the underdog. I was the underdog when I faced Chad Dawson. At the time he was considered as the best pound for pound in the world. I was the underdog, fourth in the world and I won the fight. To me, maybe it’s a motivation. I know what to do, I know what I’m capable to do. I have a lot of experience, been there done that. I’m going to do my best to win this fight.” ( www.Boxingnews24.com)
Bivol returns to the ring on Saturday, November 24 when he headlines HBO World Championship Boxing® from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Bivol will defend his title against Jean Pascal. The telecast will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
