Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez wants to fight Dmitry Bivol next. The unified super-middleweight champion just beat Edgar Berlanga and now he's looking for his next challenge.
Canelo told ESPN's Mike Coppinger what he's after. Coppinger tweeted that Canelo said he wants Bivol if Bivol beats Artur Beterbiev on October 12. Canelo's keen to get back at Bivol, who handed him one of his only two losses.
But Bivol's not jumping at the chance. In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, he brushed off Canelo's interest:
"Doesn't matter what he mentions, now I'm busy. We had time before, more than one year to make a rematch but now I'm busy."
Bivol added:
"If he really wants, he needs to talk to [my promoter] Eddie Hearn I think."
This whole thing goes back to 2022 when Bivol beat Canelo. He outboxed him for 12 rounds, using his skills and footwork. They tried to set up another fight after that, but it fell apart. Bivol wanted to go down in weight to fight for Canelo's super-middleweight belts instead of a rematch at light-heavyweight.
Canelo's got other guys after him too. David Benavidez has been waiting for his shot at the belts. But Canelo's not keen. He told CBS Sports that Benavidez doesn't bring much to the table except extra weight on fight night.
Terence Crawford's another one chasing a fight with Canelo. It's the main thing he wants to do in boxing now. But Canelo's not really interested. He thinks he won't get credit for beating a smaller guy.
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We'll probably see Canelo's next fight around Cinco De Mayo next year. But a lot depends on what happens when Bivol fights Beterbiev on October 12.