Dmitry Bivol on growing up sharing a two-bedroom flat with nine people, starting boxing in ballet shoes and fighting in the street as he prepares to take on Artur Beterbiev for undisputed

Dmitry Bivol, widely regarded as one of the most skilled light heavyweight champions in boxing today, is celebrated for his precision, power, and unshakable composure in the ring. 

But, the roots of his success trace back to a much humbler beginning, far removed from the glitz of title fights and global recognition. His journey into boxing started in the most unlikely of circumstances—wearing ballet-like shoes, struggling to afford tournaments, and growing up in a cramped two-bedroom apartment with nine other family members.

Despite these challenges, Bivol’s upbringing – grounded in family values and discipline – shaped him into the fighter he is today, boasting an undefeated with a record of 23-0, which includes 12 wins via KO, 3 of which were in world-title fights. 

This Saturday, as he faces Artur Beterbiev with the chance to become the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four-belt era, Bivol stands on the precipice of history. But before we look at what lies ahead, it’s essential to understand the story that brought him to this moment.

Born on December 18, 1990, in Tokmok, a small town in Kyrgyzstan’s Chuy region, Bivol grew up in a post-Soviet world of economic hardship. His father, of Moldovan descent, worked as a shuttle bus driver to support the family, while his Korean-born mother worked locally and helped maintain the household. 

In a nation grappling with financial instability, Bivol lived in a small apartment with nine people and relied on his parents scraping together enough money for his first tournaments.   

When reflecting on those humble beginnings, Bivol said: ‘I was enjoying it to be honest. My parents worked hard to be able to buy me the things I needed but they didn’t at first because they weren’t sure if I actually liked boxing or not. 

‘Plus it is hard to buy things like boxing shoes because there was wasn’t enough of them in the country. A lot of people were having to train in sneakers or other things. 

If I look back, it is good because it gave me motivation. I thought to myself, I want to have better shorts. I want to have better gloves. I want to have better shoes. It made me work harder to get it. It wasn’t like I wanted something and my parents bought it for me, I had to work hard to get it for myself.

‘But I also knew I had to work hard to thank my parents for all they were doing for me. I saw how hard it was for my father. He was working from six in the morning until midnight. My mother was also working and then trying to look after us as well. 

‘I taught me a lot about how hard I needed to work. You can just sit around and chill out while you’re parents are working so hard to give you opportunities. You have to make sure you are making it worth it all.’ 

Despite his parents’ relentless efforts to provide for the family, Bivol chose to take charge of his own destiny. Growing up in the tough streets of post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, he developed a passion for street fighting—a frequent reality in his harsh surroundings. 

Street brawls, often seen as a way to settle disputes or pass the time, became a regular part of Bivol’s childhood. ‘We fought for fun sometimes,’ he admitted. But there was one unspoken rule in these scuffles: once blood was drawn, the fight ended. Still, the violence could escalate quickly, and Bivol knew that this could lead to more dangerous consequences.

Looking for a way to channel his aggression, Bivol began boxing as he felt the structured environment would teach him discipline while allowing him to express his love for fighting. 

‘I used to street fight a lot’, Bivol said. ‘We did it for fun. Sometimes when we were hanging out we would say, okay lets see who is the better fighter. We also did it to settle issues we may have had. But, there was always two rules. We would fight until someone started bleeding or there was a tear drop. 

‘But, yes I found sometimes if you are not behaving well, you can end up having more streets fights than you probably should. That’s why it’s good that I went to the boxing gym. But, I did still street fight while boxing at the start.’

However, Bivol’s entry into boxing wasn’t smooth. His family’s situation meant that basic equipment like gloves and proper shoes were out of reach. Instead, Bivol began his training wearing ballet-like shoes—hardly ideal for a future champion. 

Yet this unlikely start didn’t deter him. Those shoes, though unconventional, became part of his journey, possibly even contributing to his exceptional footwork, which has become one of his signature strengths in the ring. 

Known for his flawless movement and impeccable balance, Bivol’s ability to control the distance between himself and his opponents is now a cornerstone of his success.

‘They weren’t exactly ballet-shoes but they were similar. They were like socks. So I had to train in them for a while. But, I was then sent my first pair of boxing shoes from the local jail. 

‘They made boxing shoes for me from women’s leather shoes. That is what they did. They made kids shoes for boxing while they were in prison. And they were the first pair I had.’ 

Despite the early challenges, Bivol’s determination never wavered. ‘I didn’t care about the shoes,’ Bivol remarked. ‘I just wanted to fight, to learn.’

As he progressed, Bivol began to attract attention for his talent and discipline, quickly rising through the ranks. But, it was his style that caught the eye of most boxing fans. 

‘My style is because of my dad. From the very beginning, in training and in my fights, my dad would get so angry if I got punched in the face. Even if I won the fight he would be so angry. 

‘I remember I won some competition. It was 2008 and I was maybe 17 years old at the time. I won against a guy who was also from Kyrgyzstan. It was such a hard competition and I not only won but got the award for being the best fighter of the tournament. 

‘I was so happy about it and I was so proud of myself. I came home and I showed my dad and told him about it. He was so happy that I got it too. But, then he watched back all of my fights and he wasn’t happy at all. 

‘He said how can they give you that award? You shouldn’t have gotten that trophy because you got punched. He then showed me, you got this punch and then that punch and then this punch. 

‘I said to my dad but I punched him more and he said I know but it’s not a good look. It’s not good boxing when you are getting punched in the face. He also didn’t like the fact I was a kid getting hit. 

‘I could land 10 punches and get hit once and he would not be happy. He always said, you continue to take punches I will take you out of boxing. I don’t need a son who will hit in the head a lot. So, that lead to my style.’

Today, Bivol stands as one of the elite light heavyweights in the world, with victories over top-tier opponents, including a stunning upset win over boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in 2022. That fight propelled him into global prominence and solidified his status as one of the most skilled and intelligent fighters in the sport.

Bivol’s measured, almost clinical approach in the ring—a style often described as ‘punch perfect’—stands in sharp contrast to the boy who once fought on the streets of Kyrgyzstan. 

Boxing provided Bivol with more than just a career; it gave him structure, purpose, and a pathway out of hardship. Now, as he prepares for the fight of his life against Beterbiev, Bivol is looking to add another chapter to his remarkable story by becoming the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

This Saturday could mark the culmination of a journey that began with ballet shoes and street fights—one that has turned a boy from Kyrgyzstan into a champion on the brink of history.