Canelo Alvarez wants to fight Dmitry Bivol next, potentially shaking up David Benavidez's plans at light heavyweight.
The Mexican superstar just defended his WBC, WBO, and WBA super-middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga in September. Alvarez won by unanimous decision, keeping his grip on the 168-pound division.
Now, Canelo's got his sights set on a bigger challenge. He told ESPN's Mike Coppinger about his next move:
"When I spoke to Canelo yesterday he said he wants Dmitry Bivol next [in May] provided Bivol does beat Artur Beterbiev on October 12th for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship. And what's nice about that fight, if it does happen, is it's a real departure from Canelo's last three or four fights – that's a fight where Canelo's going to be a decided underdog … That's a real legacy-defining fight."
Canelo's interest in Bivol stems from their 2022 encounter, where Bivol handed him a rare defeat. A rematch at light heavyweight would be a huge risk for Canelo, but it's one he seems eager to take.
This news might disappoint David Benavidez. The undefeated fighter just moved up to 175 pounds and beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the WBC interim light-heavyweight title. Benavidez had hoped to face the winner of the upcoming Beterbiev-Bivol fight for the undisputed championship.
If Bivol wins on October 12th, Benavidez might lose his shot at an immediate title fight. The big-money matchup with Canelo will likely take priority. Benavidez might now find himself rooting for Beterbiev to win, keeping his path to the light heavyweight title clear.
For years, fans have wanted to see Canelo and Benavidez face off. But with Benavidez moving up in weight, that fight looks less likely than ever.
The boxing world will watch closely on October 12th. The Beterbiev-Bivol winner won't just claim undisputed status – they'll also set the stage for a potential showdown with either Canelo or Benavidez in 2024.
