On the eve of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day—a holiday that commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945—unbeaten Russian champion Dmitry Bivol outclassed undisputed super middleweight titleholder Saul Canelo Alvarez to earn a unanimous decision victory at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Although labeled an upset win, all three judges scored the fight 115-113 for Bivol, further emphasizing his dominance over the pound-for-pound boxing kingpin. However, his win has been co-opted by Russian officials looking to derive benefit from the fighter’s victory.
Tatyana Kiriyenko, secretary general of the Russian Boxing Federation called Bivol the “pride of Russian boxing,” adding that she is “overwhelmed with joy and pride.