On Saturday, November 24, 2018, Dmitry Bivol (15-0, 11 KOs) stepped into the main event spotlight on HBO for the first time in his career to defend his WBA Light Heavyweight title against Jean Pascal (33-6-1, 20 KOs).
Pascal, a 36-year-old veteran with nearly 40 professional fights under his belt, came in riding a two-fight knockout and win streak and felt his experience would make a big difference against Bivol.
Bivol on the other hand was hoping to score a highlight-reel stoppage against a notable opponent to help boost his star power.
Bivol got to work early on behind his piston jab and solid right hands and earned Pascal’s respect thanks to good power shots.
Through two rounds, Bivol had thrown 102 punches versus 40 by Pascal, which was the story of the fight. Pascal looked to jump on the gas pedal every so often, but Bivol was a consistent motor that never let up.
After 3 rounds of #BivolPascal, @shotfighter26 scores it 3-0 (30-27) for Bivol.
"He's backing up Pascal. He's doing a lot more damage." pic.twitter.com/LWZVpvBJUn
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) November 25, 2018
What seemed like a knockdown in Round 4 was ruled a slip by the referee after Bivol clocked Pascal with a right hand upstairs. Pascal tried to counter after being hit, but instead swung and missed which was deemed the reason why he hit the deck.
HBO’s commentators–Roy Jones and Max Kellerman–argued whether or not the slip should have been called a knockdown and in between rounds Bivol’s corner shamed their fighter for not jumping on the veteran and finishing him.
Pascal, who actually out threw Bivol in Round 4, was unable to stop Bivol from coming forward and his frustration began in multiple rounds as he lunged at the Russian champ with two fists at the same time.
While the MMA move was not penalized by the clueless referee David Fields, it was obvious that Pascal was trying to pull out any sort of move, legal or not, to stifle his opponent.
.@bivol_d lands several combos in the 6th round. #BivolPascal pic.twitter.com/HnB7mKZ8Vg
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) November 25, 2018
After a few rounds of surviving behind minimal offensive outputs, Pascal blew his load in the first 30 seconds of Round 8 as he tried to pressure and hurt Bivol with power combinations.
Although he showed the occasional willingness to mix it up and even landed a clean right hand on Bivol’s face in the round, Pascal wasn’t able to muster up much else.
Bivol was not able to wow spectators with a big knockout, but he showed strong technical ability and added another good, second-tier name to his résumé. Bivol landed a total of 217 punches to Pascal’s 60, including 90 jabs to only six for Pascal.
In the end, Bivol took a one-sided decision with scores of 117-111 and 119-109 two times. In his post-fight interview with Kellerman, Bivol discussed the decision victory and not being able to stop Pascal.
“Of course, every time you shoot for the knockout, but sometimes you can’t,” said Bivol. “But I can show my boxing skills. I hope people are glad after my fight.”
Although he did a solid job in thwarting a veteran fighter who can be awkward, Bivol was met with a few boo birds by the small crowd at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
With HBO bowing out of the boxing game–tonight was their final edition of World Championship Boxing–Bivol’s future is not set in stone and as Kellerman mentioned, the boxing landscape has shifted.
Bivol is aware that whoever he decides to align with in terms of network/streaming services and promotional companies, he will have opportunities to face a number of top-tier opponents especially given the fact that he’s willing to move down in weight.
“I believe in my skills. If I take the fight I believe I can win,” said Bivol. “I’m ready to fight everyone in my division and champions in the Super Middleweight division.”
If he does stay at 175, Bivol mentioned wanting to fight two of the best.
“I’m ready for Eleider Alvarez or Badou Jack,” said Bivol. “I’m ready. Badou if you are tired of relaxing let’s make the fight.”
