Felix Valera will defend his interim WBA World light heavyweight title against Dmitry Bivol over a scheduled 12 rounds at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow on Saturday, May 21.
The 28-year-old titlist is a four-year pro (13-0, 12 KOs) who won the title last August by beating Stanislav Kashtanov by split decision, the only one of his fights thus far to go the distance. The bout took place in Russia, the first time “Mangu” fought outside his native Dominican Republic. Undefeated, hard-hitting Valera is first-ranked by the WBA.
His 25-year-old opponent, born in Kyrgyzstan but fighting out of Russia, turned pro two years ago. He’s won all six of his fights by knockout, most recently in February by laying out Cleiton Conceicao in the fourth. Ninth-ranked by the WBA, Bivol won the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) Silver light heavyweight title last August by knocking out Felipe Romero in the eighth and the WBA Inter-Continental light heavyweight title three months later by stopping Jackson Junior via fourth-round TKO.
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This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
