Dmitry Bivol claimed an interim light heavyweight world title in 2016, defended it twice, was elevated to a full titlist last year and retained it by crushing first-round knockout of massive underdog Trent Broadhurst.
Though Bivol had had only 12 professional fights, he has been moved quickly as a professional because he was 285-15 as an elite amateur, and ready to be tested early on as a pro. But despite his success -- and the expectation from many that he someday will stamp himself as the world's No. 1 light heavyweight and crash the pound-for-pound rankings -- there is a difference from having potential and accomplishment.
Bivol's opposition has been solid, certainly for a guy with so few pro bouts, but he has yet to face a truly serious opponent despite having a world title.
But that is about to change in a big way when Bivol makes title defense No. 2 against highly regarded and vastly experienced mandatory challenger Sullivan Barrera on Saturday (HBO, 10:05 p.m. ET/PT) at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Bivol-Barrera is the co-feature on the card headlined by big favorite Sergey Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KOs), 34, a Russian fighting out of Los Angeles who will defend his version of the light heavyweight title for the first time in his second title reign against unknown countryman Igor Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KOs), 32, who fights out of Germany.
Should Kovalev win, as expected, he said he would like to fight the winner of Bivol-Barrera in a unification fight, which would be quite possible given that all three are with promoter Main Events.