Boxing

DMITRY Bivol owes much of his success to the unwavering support and sacrifices of his mum Yelena and dad Yuriy.His parents will be cheering him on when he comes face-to-face with Artur Beterbiev on October 12, 2024 — with the winner becoming the undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world.Dmitry Bivol’s parents have supported him throughout his careerCredit: Instagram @bivol_dRoots & heritageDmitry Bivol’s mother Yelena was born in Kazakhstan when it was still part of the Soviet Union.Her family, of Korean descent, later relocated to Kyrgyzstan.Koreans arrived in the old Russian Empire in large numbers in and around the year 1870, becoming a significant ethnic group in the former USSR.Dmitry’s father Yuriy was born in the region formerly known Bessarabia, which is now called Moldova.read more on Dmitry BivolHe grew up speaking only Moldovan until he was 10 years old.Yelena and Yuriy’s marriageYelena and Yuriy’s love story started in Russia, where they had both relocated for their studies.After finishing school they got married, but no details of their big day are available.The couple made the decision to settle in Kyrgyzstan — Yelena’s home country.Most read in BoxingIt was here that Dmitry was born on in the city of Tokmok on December 18, 1990.Life in KyrgyzstanIn Tokmok, Yelena and Yuriy took up farming to support their young family in the newly independent Kyrgyzstan.Team Bivol make the biggest noise in Beterbiev fight weekIt was during these early years that Dmitry’s interest in combat sports began to flourish.Inspired by Jackie Chan movies, he initially took up wushu when he was a small child before transitioning to boxing.When Dmitry was six, his father took him to train in a boxing gym.Recognising his son’s passion, Yuri took on the role of Dmitry’s first boxing mentor.Create beautiful, classical boxingYuri BivolHe accompanied him to training sessions and competitions, despite the family’s limited resources.Equipment was expensive and hard to come by, so the young fighter wore ballet shoes to train and compete in.Even so, he won his first 23 fights with his dad by his side at every tournament he entered.Shaping a championYuriy played a crucial role in developing Dmitry’s distinctive boxing style.In an interview with Russian media, he recalled the advice he gave his young son: “I have always told my son, don’t show the spectators the snot, the blood, busted lips and nose.Yuri Bivol has trained his son Dmitry since childhoodCredit: Instagram @bivol_d”Create beautiful, classical boxing.”This guidance would become the foundation of Dmitry’s elegant and effective fighting technique.Sacrifices for successIn 2002, when Dmitry was 11 years old, the Bivol family made the life-changing decision to relocate to Russia.This move was primarily motivated by the desire to provide Dmitry with better opportunities to develop his boxing skills and pursue his athletic dreams.The transition to Saint Petersburg was not easy for the family.Yuri Bivol first took Dmitry to a boxing club when he was six years oldCredit: Instagram @bivol_dThey found themselves sharing a two-bedroom flat with nine people — a testament to the sacrifices they were willing to make for their son’s future.Yuriy took on work as a shuttle bus driver to support the family financially, while Yelena focused on maintaining their home and helping with Dmitry’s training.A rising starAs Dmitry’s boxing career began to take off, Yelena and Yuriy’s unwavering assistance became even more crucial.Their son’s success in amateur competitions, including becoming a European school’s champion and twice winning the senior national championship by age 18, was a source of immense pride for the family.The Bivols continued to make sacrifices to ensure Dmitry had access to the best training facilities and opportunities, even as their own living conditions remained modest.In 2024, Dmitry is one of the world’s top boxers, holding the WBA light-heavyweight title and ranked among the best pound-for-pound fighters.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile he now trains in Southern California and competes on the world stage, Dmitry maintains close ties to his family and his roots in Saint Petersburg.The values instilled by Yelena and Yuriy — perseverance, humility and dedication — continue to guide him in his professional career. More

CAROLINE Jackson is the mother of professional boxer Conor Benn and the wife of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn.While she maintains a relatively low public profile, her role in the Benn family has been significant.From left to right: Nigel Benn, India Benn, Conor Benn and Caroline BennCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunMeeting Nigel BennCaroline met Nigel Benn at her 21st birthday party at Stringfellow’s nightclub in London.Despite Nigel’s fame and the entourage that surrounded him, Caroline stood out by being one of the few people who stood up to him.This strength of character caught Nigel’s attention and led to their relationship.But the early years of Caroline and Nigel’s relationship were not without difficulties.read more on conor bennProposal and marriageAfter a period of reflection and growth, Nigel proposed to Caroline in the boxing ring after a match in March 1996.He popped the question after losing to Thulani ‘Sugar Boy’ Malinga.Nigel expressed his commitment to Caroline, insisting that it would be his last fight. They tied the knot on September 4, 1996, but details of their wedding have not been reported.Most read in BoxingFertility struggles and Family LifeCaroline and Nigel faced challenges in starting a family.They underwent IVF treatment, which initially failed.Conor Benn set to fight Manny Pacquiao, 45, in huge blockbuster bout as pair come face to face at AJ vs Ngannou weigh-inAt one point, Nigel walked out on her when she didn’t become pregnant.She has previously spoken about Nigel’s infidelity and his struggles with commitment.In 1998, when she was 26, Caroline told the Mirror: “I feel sick when I think about Nigel’s affair, even now. I can remember it like it was yesterday.”We were living in Jersey and we had been trying for months to have a baby. It was such a low point in my life. I was going for IVF treatment and it had failed.Nigel shouts a lot when he doesn’t want to do something. He is hot-headed. It’s like a huge flare-up and then it’s overCaroline JacksonThe Mirror”On this night, we were supposed to be going out together and I was looking forward to it. Nigel told me at short notice that he wanted to go out on his own.”What I didn’t know was this woman he knew and had slept with before had rung him and arranged to meet him at a hotel.”He spent the night with her. It was just before Christmas. He told me three months later — just before his fight against Sugar Boy Malinga.”I felt so sick. For years, I felt as though he would have dumped me at the drop of a hat, but I stuck with him because I felt he needed me. I was his closest friend.”Nigel proposed to Caroline in the ringCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdReconciliation and kidsHowever, they reconciled and their perseverance eventually paid off.Caroline and Nigel welcomed twins, Conor and his sister India, into their family shortly after their marriage on September 28, 1996.The couple later had another son, Harley, who like his older brother and dad has become a professional boxer — he turned pro in 2017.Nigel also had four children from his first marriage: Sade, Rene, Dominic and Nigel.Nigel and Caroline photographed with their kids at their weddingCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdRole in Nigel’s careerThroughout Nigel’s boxing career, Caroline played a crucial role.She was often the person his managers and agents would turn to when they needed Nigel to do something — she was one of the few people who could effectively communicate with him.She said: “He needed someone he could trust. I am the only person who stood up to him.”His agent and managers would ring me and ask me to tell him what he had to do.Caroline has supported both her husband and sons in their boxing careersCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun”Nigel shouts a lot when he doesn’t want to do something. He is hot-headed. It’s like a huge flare-up and then it’s over. “Current relationshipAs of October 2024, Caroline and Nigel’s relationship appears to be on solid ground.Nigel has acknowledged his past mistakes and has taken steps to prove his commitment to Caroline.Despite being part of a high-profile boxing family, Caroline has maintained a relatively private life.Her focus appears to be on supporting her family, including Conor in his boxing career.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile she may not be in the public eye as much as her husband or son, her strength, resilience and support have been instrumental in both Nigel’s career and personal life, as well as in raising Conor to become the successful boxer he is today.Her story is one of perseverance through personal and family challenges, ultimately contributing to the success and stability of one of boxing’s most famous dynasties. More