By Brian Webber: Canelo Alvarez’s coach Eddy Reynoso has contacted Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to tell him that his fighter needs a rematch with Dmitry Bivol in 2023.
Within the meantime, Hearn states that Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) needs a warm-up battle in Might, doubtless towards his WBO 168-lb obligatory John Ryder, earlier than dealing with Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) within the rematch in September.
What’s unclear is what weight the Canelo-Bivol II second battle will happen. Hearn likes the concept of the rematch being contested at 168, which might make it fairer for Canelo as a result of Bivol would wish to empty down in weight from 175.
Furthermore, Bivol would have the chance to change into undisputed at 168 after which return to the 175-lb division to face IBF, WBA & WBO mild heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed in that weight class as nicely.
Hearn isn’t positive whether or not Canelo will comply with the second battle with Bivol at 168, as he could be placing his 4 belts on the road, and if he have been to lose, he could be left beltless.
Canelo selecting to nonetheless take the rematch with Bivol at any weight reveals braveness, as he was fairly nicely dominated by the WBA mild heavyweight champion final Might in Las Vegas. Bivol’s mixture punching & higher engine was an excessive amount of for Canelo in that battle.
For Canelo to have an opportunity of defeating Bivol within the rematch, he’s going to want to discover a option to improve his punch output considerably by throwing mixtures as a substitute of the one pictures that he’s change into accustomed to.
The stamina issues that Canelo has proven all through his profession may preclude him from growing his punch output for the Bivol rematch.
If Canelo does try and deal with quantity punching, there’s a threat that he may gasoline out early, as he did final time he fought Bivol, and be at his mercy for the rest of the battle.
“The state of affairs is talks between me and Eddy Reynoso are underway to plan out Canelo Alvarez’s 2023,” stated Eddie Hearn to DAZN Boxing Present. “He’s already acknowledged publically that he would love a comeback battle from damage in Might.
“There’s an excellent likelihood that could possibly be John Ryder if a deal may be reached there. He’s the obligatory for the WBO championship. He’s the interim champion at 168 lbs, and Eddy Reynoso has made it very clear to me that he needs the rematch with Dmitry Bivol.
“The discussions actually are does that happen at 175 or 168. Canelo actually doesn’t need to lose his belts at 168, and so much will rely on the rulings of the governing physique.
“I feel Canelo Alvarez would nearly desire that battle [with Bivol] at 175, however I do know that Dmitry Bivol is about belts, is about legacy. He’s made it clear to us that he could make 168 lbs.
“It’s not unfair for Canelo Alvarez to go to 175. He’s completed it earlier than. I don’t suppose he would need to name it unfair. He misplaced, and that’s the state of affairs, however I really feel that Canelo towards Bivol at 168 would allow Dmitry Bivol to try to change into undisputed at 168 lbs.
“If he have been to prevail, he may transfer to battle Beterbiev at 175. If he have been to lose to Canelo at 168, he may nonetheless battle Beterbiev for the undisputed championship at 175.
“So if you’re speaking about chasing greatness if you’re speaking about legacy, Dmitry Bivol is a fighter that’s all about that. He has an opportunity to rematch Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed championship at 168 kilos after which transfer to battle Beterbiev for the undisputed championship at 175 lbs.
That is an unbelievable plan and an unbelievable alternative that might unfold for Dmitry Bivol, however there may be a whole lot of work to be completed between myself with Vadim Kornilov, Frank Smith, with Eddy Reynoso, with Canelo Alvarez to try to make this occur.
“Talks are underway to try to plan out our presentation to Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso for what 2023 appears like, and it’s going to be actually thrilling.
“Yeah, folks will at all times be excited in regards to the rematch [with Bivol] as a result of Canelo places it on the road once more. One other defeat for Canelo Alvarez [would be disastrous]. I’ve to be trustworthy with you. The best way the primary battle deliberate out, I feel the rematch is extraordinarily harmful for Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso.
“That is what they’re about. I’ve to be trustworthy with you. I used to be shocked once I obtained a telephone name from Eddy Reynoso saying, ‘We wish Bivol. We wish Bivol! Canelo needs revenge towards Dmitry Bivol.’
“That simply reveals you that ever since that defeat, it’s been consuming him up. No matter manner you need to have a look at it, he’s a winner, and he needs one other battle. Identical to AJ towards Oleksandr Usyk, they imagine they will win, however it’s a really harmful process.
“Popping out of the Might battle [against John Ryder], getting that momentum, going into the Bivol battle. We additionally want to offer Dmitry Bivol, within the meantime, with a voluntary protection of his 175 lb title as a result of he’s not going to take a seat round and wait whereas Canelo Alvarez defends towards a compulsory.
“So there are a whole lot of bins to be ticked for our fighters on this course of, however I really like the concept of a rematch between these fighters in September for the undisputed at 168, and it clears the best way for Dmitry Bivol, win or lose, to battle Artur Beterbiev at 175 for the undisputed.
“For those who’re speaking about legacy, that will put Dmitry Bivol as one of many best fighters of all time if he can defeat Canelo Alvarez once more after which defeat Artur Beterbiev. There are such a lot of issues that have to occur. Canelo has received to come back again; we’ve received to barter the deal; Beterbiev has received to battle Yarde.
“Callum Smith can be the obligatory for the winner of that battle. He’s going to battle on March eleventh. Joshua Buatsi is perhaps the man that will get the voluntary protection [against Bivol]. There are such a lot of bins [that need to be ticked before the Canelo vs. Bivol rematch takes place],” stated Hearn.