WBA world light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, despite his long protracted negotiations with Canelo Alvarez failing to secure a rematch between the pair, Russian is still keeping close tabs on the Mexican as it is widely expected that the undisputed super-middleweight champion is set to face Jermell Charlo.
Alvarez confirmed last week that he had left Matchroom Boxing and signed a three-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions, rumoured to be worth over $ 100 million. Alvarez will be set for his return against Charlo in September. The match-up between Charlo and Canelo will sell Charlo a step up a weight class to fave Canelo and challenge for the undisputed world super-middleweight titles.
PBC, on paper, has more realistic opportunities for Canelo to defend his 168 lbs titles with the likes of David Benavidez, David Morrell, and Demetrius Andrade, all associated with the Al Haymon enterprise. Something which Matchroom Boxing has exhausted all possible opponents who are attached to the British promotional entity. All except Bivol, who claimed victory against Alvarez in May of 2022.
In an interview with FightHub Tv, Bivol said that if Charlo was to defeat Canelo, he would like to face Jermell and would even be willing to drop to 168 lbs to make it happen.
“Yeah, if Charlo wins, I would like that fight,” Bivol told FightHubTV. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, I want to fight against someone at 168' - no. I prefer to fight at my weight class.’ If someone wants and we have a good offer to move down for belt, I will do it. But I prefer to fight at my weight class.”
Bivol himself is set to return to the ring, most likely in October, after continuing to add that he feels a September return might be too soon. It has been reported that Bivol is likely to face unbeaten British light-heavyweight contender Dan Azeez, who currently holds the EBU European light-heavyweight title.
“I hope in September or October (to fight again) - October,” Bivol said. “If September, I should have been given an offer a couple of weeks ago.”
“I’m ready for anyone in my weight class” Bivol added. “I’ll try to be ready for the top 10 fighters at light heavyweight.”
