Canelo Was No Longer The Same After The Bivol Loss

October 6, 2024
4 months
Canelo Was No Longer The Same After The Bivol Loss

Canelo Alvarez was no longer the same fighter following his loss to Dmitry Bivol

That is according to Jose Benavidez Sr. Canelo took on Bivol for his WBA Light Heavyweight Title in 2022. He had previously moved up to fight at the weight class when he took on Sergey Kovalev. He stopped Kovalev to win the WBO belt, showing that he was capable of winning belts at the weight class. But when it came to facing Bivol, it was a completely different matter. Bivol managed to outbox Canelo for the full 12 rounds as Alvarez failed to trouble the champion.

After the fight, Canelo revealed that he had a hand issue coming into the bout. He underwent surgery to rectify the problem while trying to set up the rematch. The rematch never happened after disagreements over the weight class. Canelo wanted to run things back 175 pounds, while Bivol wanted to fight out 168 for Alvarez’s Undisputed Super Middleweight Title. The rematch broke down as Canelo continued his career elsewhere. Benavidez Sr. said that was the moment that Canelo was never the same. He was reportedly seen drinking and hitting the golf course.

Canelo’s Issue

“I consider him [Canelo], with all due respect, done as a fighter. He is worn out. First, we saw him with a knee injury, and now he injured his hand. Now, we can see that Canelo is starting to drink. He is beginning to enjoy life. But he has all the right to do that because he has been a very disciplined fighter. He has many businesses now and is not focused 100% on boxing. Now, he is playing golf, which requires time and dedication. I think Canelo should stay at golf and start a career there. I have heard that he is very good at golf. There is no age limit to play that sport,” Benavidez Sr. said 

Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind the following: Canelo has since bounced back. He defeated Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga in his last two fights in comfortable unanimous decision wins. While there is an argument that he has not faced elite-level opposition, Canelo is still making things look easy by picking up big purses in the process. 

Bivol On Canelo

The Berlanga fight reportedly earned him $35 million and brought in a live gate of $17 million. Canelo has said he is interested in rematching Bivol if he manages to beat Artur Beterbiev. Bivol boxes Beterbiev on October 12 for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight title. Although that may be the case, Bivol’s comments suggest that he is not interested in the fight, saying that the chapter is done.

“He had the chance to make [a] rematch. He didn’t take this chance. [And] he didn’t even negotiate about it and now the subject is closed. I have my own way. He has his own way in super middleweight. I’m a light heavyweight. Just different weights,” Bivol said  

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