It should be noted that Beterbiev and Bivol are technical representatives of Canada and Kyrgyzstan, but in fact represent Russia. Beterbiev after his last victory thanked Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov right in the ring. Also in his interviews he repeatedly said that he is a Russian. Also Russian is Bivol, who only in the last few fights was presented as a boxer from Kyrgyzstan, who trains in the United States.
Earlier, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman repeatedly said that his organization would not allow Russian boxers as long as there is a war between Ukraine and Russia.