The journey of great champions often begins with unexpected sources of inspiration. For the undisputed boxing world champion Dmitry Bivol, that spark came from the legendary Jackie Chan’s movies.
In one of his interviews, Bivol admitted: “I wanted to learn how to fight with my hands and feet. I saw how Jackie Chan did it in his movies.” This desire led him to a Wushu class, where his father, Yuri Ivanovich, enrolled him. Wushu combines various martial arts techniques, allowing Dmitry to master both hand and foot strikes.
However, after just a few months of training, Dmitry became interested in the neighboring boxing section. One of the key factors was the frequent opportunity to compete, which greatly appealed to the young athlete. From that moment, his path to the top of professional boxing began.
This story once again proves that many great athletes draw inspiration from cinema. Movies from the 1980s and 1990s, where the protagonists triumph not only physically but also morally, served as motivating examples for millions of boys worldwide. Dmitry Bivol is a striking example of how a childhood passion can grow into a world-class career.
Recently, Dmitry Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev and became the undisputed light heavyweight world champion, adding another brilliant chapter to boxing history.