Dmitry Bivol questions Canelo Alvarez’s desire to fight him while discussing rematch with the Mexican champion
Dmitry Bivol is in the final stages of preparation for his undisputed light heavyweight title fight against Artur Beterbiev. The pair will clash on Oct. 12 in arguably the biggest boxing fight of 2024.
Both men will enter the ring undefeated, with a chance at undisputed light heavyweight world champion on the line.
Bivol rose to prominence following his incredible performance against fellow pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez in 2022. The Mexican champion moved from super middleweight to light heavyweight to challenge the WBA title holder, with Alvarez being handed a decision defeat, his first loss since 2013.
Negotiations for a rematch between the pair had extended into 2023 but ultimately failed to agree on a deal. The 23-0 fighter was recently asked if he would face Alvarez again if he defeated Beterbiev.
During an interview with Fight Hub TV, he said this:
"I don't think about Canelo because I have my fight [against Beterbiev]. With Canelo, we had a one-and-a-half year waiting [period], does he want to fight or does he not want to fight? It was only talk and no action. No negotiations at all. He just closed the subject. I'm [fighting] now with Beterbiev, and after we will see what will happen."
Catch Dmitry Bivol's comments about Canelo Alvarez below (5:05):
Eddie Hearn unpacks how Canelo Alvarez could secure a rematch against Dmitry Bivol
Eddie Hearn, the former co-promoter of Canelo Alvarez, recently discussed the scenarios surrounding his potential rematch with Hearn's current client, Dmitry Bivol.
Bivol will clash with Artur Beterbiev on Oct. 12 in what Hearn believes is the fight of the year, with a potential rematch against Alvarez awaiting the WBA and IBO champion should he achieve undisputed light heavyweight glory.
Ahead of the bout, Hearn was interviewed by Fight Hub TV, where he said this:
"Canelo is a fighter. He definitely wants to rematch Bivol, but Eddie Reynoso [Alvarez's coach] will make the decisions and Eddie knows boxing. He knows that Canelo was well beaten that night, I don't think he was at his best. But he was well beaten, so it's a very, very tough fight."
He continued:
"If Bivol wins next week and becomes undisputed [champion] at 175 [pounds], then you're talking about Canelo rolling the dice to win the undisputed 175-pound championship in the rematch. That becomes a huge fight."
Watch Hearn discuss Dmitry Bivol vs. Canelo Alvarez below (20:10):