Bivol: “I don’t feel like a superstar. I can easily walk around without protection. For me, a superstar, for example, is Michael Jackson.

WBA Russian Light Heavyweight Champion (Super) Dmitry Bivol in an interview with , he said he didn’t feel like a superstar.

Bivol has 21 wins (11 by knockout) in the professional ring. The Russian, due to victories over Mexicans Saul Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez, was recognized as the best boxer of 2022 according to many publications and organizations, including the WBA. Additionally, Bivol, 32, was named the best by pundits.

– Today Dmitry Bivol is a world boxing superstar?

– I don’t like these words “star”, “your fans”. What does superstar mean? Bivol told .

– Well, Canelo is said to be a superstar. So why can’t they say that about you?

– I do not know. Maybe I treat myself like this so I don’t relax somewhere. At the same time, I don’t feel like a superstar. Go absolutely calmly everywhere without any protection. No one really understands me. For me, a superstar, for example, Michael Jackson. These are the people who probably don’t give rest.

Would you like that kind of attention?

“Somewhere deep in my soul, maybe that’s what I want. But I understand that sometimes you won’t be happy with that. For example, you are somewhere, but you understand that you cannot fully enjoy the moment, because you have too much attention, stares, your every action is recorded and discussed. But on the other hand, depending on your goal – the desire to make history – this (excessive attention) will be a side effect.

But I admit, they began to recognize me much more often, and in many places. For example, I put the car back in the wash, I’m coming back, and there’s a crowd of guys from Mexico who want to take a picture. And the most interesting thing is that more than half of Mexican fans say: “Thank you for beating Canelo.” At first it surprised me. And the other 40% of Mexican fans say, “We supported Alvarez, but you fought well. Well done”.