WBC, WBA (Super) and WBO super middleweight champion of the world Canelo Alvarez is on the talks to contest for the undisputed championship at 168 against IBF titleholder Caleb Plant in September this year.
However, Canelo vs Plant is still under negotiations and in case both the parties cannot come to an agreement, the Mexican maestro will have a ‘Plan B’, and that is to rise to 175 and challenge Dmitry Bivol.
Canelo vs Bivol to be considered if Caleb Plant negotiations come to nothing
Canelo vs Plant, which will be a four-belt title fight, will crown the undisputed champion at 168. It is also speculated to be the last step for the number one pound for pound boxer’s destiny to the history books as the first undisputed super-middleweight champion from Mexico.
Unfortunately, Plant’s fight purse demands out of the fight has become a throne on the progress of the negotiations towards confirming the bout. Back in June, the undefeated American revealed that he is hoping to secure somewhat north of $10 million from the fight, something that is very unlikely to get the green light from Canelo’s side.
In case the two 168 pounders don’t come to terms and the undisputed fight falls through, Canelo will have his second option ready- a return to the light heavyweight division and challenge the WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol.
“We are working hard to finalize Saul’s next fight for September and hope to be in a position to announce this shortly,” Matchroom MD Eddie Hearn revealed to Mike Coppinger of ESPN, “there are several options to consider, but as always, Saul is ready to take on all comers and continue his incredible run.”
One thing to consider, moving up to 175 will definitely up the difficulty for Canelo, who has been smooth sailing at 186 at the moment, having defeated Callum Smith, Avni Yıldırım and Billy Joe Saunders within a period of six months with ease. On top of that, Bivol is a much tougher foe in the squared circle compared to Plant.
Canelo made his light heavyweight debut back in November 2019, defeating former WBO titleholder Sergey Kovalev. Although he himself stated in the past that he would remain at 168 as the undisputed champion, his ‘Plan B’ if the Plant fight does not happen is pointing to facing the WBA light heavyweight titleholder Bivol. Artur Berbatiev, the undefeated unified champion at 175 is also considered.
