Eddie Hearn, president of Matchroom Boxing, has stated that the much-awaited rematch between Canelo Álvarez and Dmitry Bivol will most likely take place at 168 pounds, with Canelo’s undisputed crown on the line.
Canelo to defend his undisputed super middleweight crown in the Bivol rematch
“I’m going to put my neck on the line and say that Canelo will fight Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed belts at 168,” said the British promoter in an interview with the YouTube channel iFL TV.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but Dmitry Bivol is up for the challenge. Dmitry Bivol is a legacy. He has a shot if he beats Canelo Alvarez, to fight (Artur) Beterbiev in his next unification bout at 175 (pounds). (Anthony) Yarde will fight Beterbiev. If he wins, he will fight Bivol,” he added.
Canelo’s plans include a fight in May with a rival to be defined, although the one who has been most talked about lately is John Ryder, WBO super middleweight mandatory challenger. While for September he intends to make a rematch against Bivol .
“Canelo Alvarez, in an ideal world, is going to return in May,” Hearn went on, “I think it’s disrespectful to say it’s a comeback fight. It’s a comeback fight because of his injury and I think he’s going to fight his mandatory challenger, John Ryder, the interim world champion.”
Initially, the Mexican boxer said that he would go up to light heavyweight again to challenge Dmitry, but this could change. The Russian said on different occasions that he can mark 168 pounds without a problem, although there were many details to be resolved.
While Dmitry Bivol seeks a unification of the four 175-pound belts against Artur Beterbiev, who next Saturday, January 28th, will fight Anthony Yarde.
“Bivol is going to fight for the same dates, in April or May,” concluded Hearn. “I would like him to fight (Joshua) Buatsi . If he beats Joshua Buatsi, he will face Canelo Álvarez . If Joshua Buatsi wins, he will probably fight Canelo Álvarez”.
