BIVOL SCHOOLS RAMIREZ IN MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE (PHOTOS)

Pound for pound fighter Dimtry Bivol of Kyrgyzstan dominated former world middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez of Mexico to win by a lopsided unanimous decision to retain his WBA light heavyweight at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE Saturday night (early Sunday in Manila) promoted by Matchroom Sport and streamed live on DAZN. Judges scores: Stanley Christodoulou and Pawel Kardyni had it 117-111 and Jean-Robert Laine, 118-110 all in favor for Bivol.

AND STILL 👑 @bivol_d

📝 118-110, 117-111, 117-111 🔥#BivolZurdo pic.twitter.com/37uELeWVYy

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 5, 2022

Bivol who now resides in Indio, California and rose to stardom by defeating formerly impregnable Mexican star Canelo Alvarez last May, showcased his mastery of the craft with an excellent repertoire of speed, accurate combinations and impenetrable defense to frustrate and confuse the erstwhile undefeated Ramirez who could not find any headway into the fight. Bivol backed up the bigger Ramirez all night, something the Sinaloan, who had scored 30 knockouts in his career, was unaccustomed to. The few times Ramirez was able to push his way, Bivol had always an answer with a flurry of counter punch combinations. In the end it was and easy win for Bivol who aims to unify all the belts against fellow Russian Artur Beterbiev, holder of the WBC, IBF and WBO titles of the light heavyweight division. A huge money fight also awaits for Bivol if a rematch with Canelo will materialize. Bivol has now improved his undefeated record to 21 wins will 11 wins inside the distance. Ramirez on the other hand, absorbed the first loss of his career in 45 fights in a disappointing performance.