Dmitry Bivol, the renowned Russian boxer who was once considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, is facing one of the most challenging moments of his career. However, this time the challenge comes not from an opponent in the ring, but from his personal life. His ex-wife, Ekaterina Bivol, has unleashed a media storm that, according to experts and fans, is seriously affecting Bivol’s image and approach to his boxing career. From accusations of domestic violence to public celebrations of his defeats, Ekaterina’s actions are putting the legacy of one of boxing’s greats in jeopardy.
Dmitry Bivol and Ekaterina Bivol have been married for over a decade, since 2013, and together they have two sons, Miron and Nikon. For years, they seemed like the perfect couple, with Ekaterina supporting Bivol on his rise to stardom, especially following his historic victory over Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in May 2022. However, their relationship fell apart in October 2023, when Ekaterina made public allegations of domestic violence and emotional abuse against the boxer. According to her, Bivol became aggressive after his victory over Canelo, and she claimed to have suffered physical abuse that left her with abscesses for weeks while he was being honored as “Boxer of the Year.”
Ekaterina also alleged that Bivol was not adequately supporting their children, paying only $1,100 a month for both of them, an amount she considers insufficient given the boxer’s financial success. These accusations not only tarnished Bivol’s image but also led him to a legal battle that remains unresolved. “For two weeks I walked around with abscesses while you were awarded Boxer of the Year. I was afraid he would take my children, but now they are with me by law,” Ekaterina wrote on Instagram in 2023, unleashing a wave of criticism toward Bivol.
The climax of this controversy came in October 2024, when Bivol suffered his first professional loss to Artur Beterbiev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Beterbiev was crowned the undisputed light heavyweight champion, dethroning Bivol of the WBA title and ending his undefeated record. But what caught the most attention wasn’t the fight itself, but Ekaterina’s reaction. During a live stream, she openly celebrated her ex-husband’s defeat, hurling insults and claiming that “karma” had finally caught up with Bivol.
“Karma caught up with him… Karma finally caught up with this jerk. Artur, I’m so happy for you… Now my fight is in court,” said a visibly emotional Ekaterina. Her words, which included phrases like “This is what you deserve, jerk” and “Fuck off,” went viral, creating a divide among fans. While some supported Ekaterina, seeing her as a woman seeking justice after years of abuse, others harshly criticized her, accusing her of using the sports world to fuel a personal conflict. Even boxer Claressa Shields called her reaction “evil,” pointing out that celebrating the defeat of her children’s father was a cruel act.
The controversy hasn’t gone unnoticed in the boxing world. Since their separation, Ekaterina has used social media to constantly expose Bivol, obscuring his sporting achievements. Her campaign with the hashtag #cancel_bivol, detailing his alleged abuse and non-payment of child support, has gained traction, affecting the public’s perception of the boxer. Once considered a low-profile champion and respected for his humility, Bivol is now seen by some as a villain, which has damaged his image and, potentially, his ability to attract sponsors and big fights.
Sports experts believe this situation has also affected Bivol’s mental approach. “A boxer needs to be completely focused to perform at his best, but with all this drama, it’s hard to imagine Bivol being in his best mental state,” commented boxing analyst Juan Morales. The loss to Beterbiev, although close, showed Bivol to be less precise than usual, and some speculate that personal tensions played a role in his performance. Bivol himself admitted after the fight that he “let the win go” in the later rounds, which could indicate a lack of clarity under pressure.
In February 2025, Bivol achieved a significant victory by defeating Beterbiev in a rematch, reclaiming the WBA title and depriving his compatriot of the undisputed title. However, even this triumph was not without controversy. Ekaterina continued her campaign on social media, claiming that Bivol “ruined everything in one year” after their divorce, including his personal life and relationship with his children. “He divorced me in November, got married six months later, fought with his own children, and three months after the wedding he lost the titles. Yes, you are amazing, Dimas!” she wrote in a post that went viral.
Although Bivol has tried to steer clear of criticism, avoiding public responses to Ekaterina’s accusations, the damage has already been done. His team has requested mediation to resolve the legal issues, but tensions between the former couple appear far from abating. With a child support trial looming, the situation could escalate further, affecting not only his personal life but also his professional career.
Dmitry Bivol, once celebrated for his victory over Canelo Álvarez and his impeccable record of 23 wins (12 by knockout) before his loss to Beterbiev, now faces an uncertain future. At 34, he remains one of the best pound-for-pound boxers, but the scandal with Ekaterina has left a stain on his legacy. While some fans are supportive, urging him to focus on his career and put the drama behind him, others believe the domestic violence allegations are too serious to be ignored.
The boxing world is watching closely to see how Bivol will weather this storm. His next fight, possibly a rematch with Canelo Álvarez or a showdown with David Benavidez, could be crucial to regaining his status. However, as long as Ekaterina continues her public crusade against him, the road to redemption will be more difficult than any fight in the ring. Can Bivol overcome this dark chapter and shine again as the champion he once was, or will this be the beginning of the end of his reign in boxing?
