Canelo Wants The Bivol Rematch
Canelo Alvarez has said he is open to boxing Dmitry Bivol in a rematch.
Canelo faced Bivol in 2022 as he moved up to light heavyweight. Alvarez previously moved up to fight Sergey Kovalev in 2019. He knocked out the Russian to become the WBO Champion. However, against Bivol, it was a one-sided defeat. Bivol outboxed Canelo on his way to a unanimous decision win. Canelo later disclosed he had a hand injury, preventing him from performing.
A rematch was talked about. However, talks broke down. Canelo wanted the match at 175, while Bivol wanted it at 168 for the chance to win Canelo’s undisputed title. Since then, Bivol has positioned him to fight for undisputed at 175. Meanwhile, Canelo is not undisputed at 168 after the IBF stripped him for not facing William Scull. If Bivol beats Artur Beterbiev on October 12 and becomes undisputed, Canelo is open to the rematch.
Canelo On Bivol
“Yes it’s possible. It’s the only fight I’d make one more time at 175lbs – the rematch with Bivol,” Canelo said
Nevertheless, Bivol may have other plans. There are suggestions he could move up to cruiserweight if he becomes undisputed. Bivol has been linked with a Jai Opetaia fight. Opetaia is the current IBF Cruiserweight Champion after beating Mairis Briedis in his last fight. He will defend his title against Jack Massey in his next fight on the Beterbiev-Bivol card.
Meanwhile, Canelo’s demands have suggested that Bivol may not take the rematch. The Mexican wanted $200 million to fight David Benavidez which would have been an undisputed fight. At the same time, if Bivol is undisputed, Canelo may request a similar figure. This is even if Bivol holds the belts, as Canelo will argue that he is a much bigger commercial draw. Tyson Fury did the same thing against Oleksandr Usyk.
Canelo’s Future
Usyk had three titles, while Fury only had the WBC belt. And yet, Usyk was seen as the B-side. But the fight could happen if there is enough money on the table. Turki Alalshikh recently stated that Canelo had reached out about working together. The Bivol fight would be possible, as he works closely with the Saudis. But Benavidez is the WBC mandatory for the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol, meaning Canelo must navigate that obstacle.
“He sent me a direct message that he wants to connect after the fight. It is nothing personal. It is business. “I’d like to see it against, Crawford, and I’d like to see it against Benavidez. Nothing is impossible. Let’s see in the future what happens, but if someone can do it, it’s Riyadh Season,” Turki stated
Another loss to Bivol would damage Canelo’s brand. However, if he secures a huge purse for the fight, he may call it a day. He has nothing else to prove in the sport. He is a four-weight world champion and is considered one of the best of all time. His only losses have come against elite opposition in Bivol and Floyd Mayweather, which can happen to anyone.
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