Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 58-2-2 (39) and WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol 21-0 (11) both have some thinking to do.
Mexican superstar Alvarez, 32, suffered an upset loss to Bivol on points at 175-pounds last May but rebounded with a unanimous decision win over old rival Gennadiy Golovkin 42-2-1 (37) in their trilogy bout in September.
Bivol continued his unbeaten run with a wide points victory over previously undefeated Gilberto Ramirez 44-1 (30) in November. The 32-year-old Russian hasn’t ruled out a rematch with Alvarez, but has stated his primary objective is to unify all the major light heavyweight world titles, which would mean facing WBC, WBO and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev 18-0 (18).
The 37-year-old Russian is set to defend his three belts against Anthony Yarde 23-2 (22) at Wembley Stadium in London, England on January 28.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who has worked with both Bivol and Alvarez in the past, is pushing for a rematch with the working date of September.
“The situation is that talks with myself and [Alvarez’s manager and trainer] Eddy Reynoso are underway right now to plan out his 2023,” the Matchroom Boxing boss told The DAZN Boxing Show.
“He’s already stated publicly that he would like that a comeback fight after the injury. He’d like to come back in May. There’s a very good chance it could be John Ryder. He’s mandatory to the WBO championship. He’s the interim champion there at 168 pounds.
“Eddy Reynoso has made it very clear to me. He wants the rematch with Dmitry Bivol.”
The proposed bout could take place at either 168 or 175 pounds with Bivol previously stating he could make the lower weight.
“The discussion really is, does that take place at 175 or 168,” Hearn said. “Canelo doesn’t really want to lose his belts at 168. A lot will depend on the rulings from the government [bodies]. If I know Canelo Alvarez, he’ll want that fight at 175.
“But Dmitry Bivol is about belts, he’s about legacy. He’s made it clear to us that he could make 168 pounds.
“It’s not unfair for Canelo Alvarez to go to 175, he’s done it before. He would not call it unfair. He lost and that’s the situation. But I feel like Canelo and Bivol at 168 would enable Bivol to become undisputed at 168 pounds. If he was able to be triumphant, he could move and fight Beterbiev for the undisputed at 175.
“If he were to lose to Canelo Avalrez, he could still fight Beterbiev for the undisputed championship at 175. When you’re talking about chasing greatness… Dmitry Bivol is all about that. He has the chance to face Canelo for the undisputed championship at 168 then face Beterbiev for the undisputed championship at 175. This is an incredible opportunity that could unfold. There is a lot of work to be done.”
