Duva: Bivol's still got much to prove

Promoter Kathy Duva believes that light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has much to prove, for example, in a duel against her ward Cuban Sullivan Barrera on March 3 in New York.

“Bivol's really the one who’s stepping up here,” Duva said. “So from that perspective, I can see Barrera’s point [about thinking he can win]. Bivol looks terrific. He appears to have everything. He can punch, he’s very athletic, very focused. I’ve seen some amateur tapes of him that show he’s a far better boxer than we even realize, than he’s had to show in the ring so far.

“But I’ve seen a lot of fighters who’ve looked great against inferior opposition. So let’s see what happens when steps in there with a fighter who’s been in there with one of the very best fighters in the world in Andre Ward. [Barrera] is a fighter who’s stepped in there time and time again in fights that people don’t think he’s gonna win, and then he wins them. So I’ve got to respect that and give him credit. And Bivol’s gonna have to prove that he’s better than them.”