Dmitry Bivol is so hell-bent on exacting revenge on Artur Beterbiev he is lying on a bed of metal spikes to RELAX.
Bivol, 34, lost to his bitter rival last October in their controversial undisputed light-heavyweight world title fight. The Russian has an immediate chance to avenge his only career defeat when the rematch tops the bill here on Saturday night. Bivol is no stranger to extreme training methods and prepared for the sequel in sub-zero temperatures in snow-covered Kyrgyzstan.
But even when his working day is done, he can only find peace through pain. “Of course it’s painful but you need to relax to not feel the pain,” Bivol said of his acupuncture mat. “If you tense then you feel pain but when you relax, your body melts and you don’t feel the pain. If you tense, then of course it hurts.
“I have some problems with my lower back so I use it to relax my lower back, and when I relax my lower back it helps my legs and everything else relax. I run and work all day and it’s just another way for me to relax; it’s good for the mind too.” Not content with punishing himself in pursuit of settling his score with Beterbiev, Bivol is not afraid to risk embarrassment and injury in search of sporting success – but always finds a route back to the ring.
“I tried snowboarding once and then I had to buy two and am trying to learn,” he added. “I have had a couple of small accidents but nothing big. I had a problem with my collarbone; I fell on it and felt like an idiot because I am supposed to be a professional boxer. But snowboarding helps clear my mind, I focus on my balance and float down mountains surrounded by fresh air.
“My sons like hockey so I bought myself the full kit and am getting lessons and between camps I go to play football with all the guys on my team – I’ve bought all the boots. I have rackets for tennis and padel ball – but I still haven’t even played padel ball yet. I just like sports, all sports, but I love boxing because it is the sport that cannot only rely on one thing. Power alone is not enough, nor is speed, or endurance. It’s not like running or sprints or powerlifting.
“In boxing, even if you have one arm injured, you can box with the other. If you are unfit then you can survive on technique and skill. Against some guys you will need your power and against others you will need your skill, it’s why I love the sport.”
Watch Beterbiev vs Bivol live on TNT Sport Box Office this Saturday. Buy at www.tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
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