HomeBoxingInitial Discussions Underway For Canelo vs Bivol 2, Manager Vadim Kornilov Reveals

Initial Discussions Underway For Canelo vs Bivol 2, Manager Vadim Kornilov Reveals

Canelo vs Bivol 2 Talks Have Begun With Light Heavyweight Champion’s Side Ready To Talk Terms

Vadim Kornilov, the manager of WBA Light Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, revealed to Boxing Social that the Bivol side has begun discussions with Matchroom Boxing for a rematch with Mexican star Canelo Alvarez, which is likely to take place in September 2023 should it materialise.

In their first encounter, Bivol successfully defended his title against Canelo, who was coming up from Super Middleweight, via a convincing unanimous decision win – although that was not reflected in the 115-113 x3 scorecards.

Matchroom/Eddie Hearn looks to work with Canelo for two fights in 2023. First Hearn wants to stage Alvarez against his WBO mandatory challenger John Ryder, potentially in a UK stadium on Cinco De Mayo. Then in September, Canelo eyes a rematch with Bivol. The Mexican believes he wasn’t 100% in their first encounter and insists he will be successful in a second contest.

Bivol has stated that despite the financial package for a rematch far outweighing any other fight, the rematch isn’t at the top of his priorities. That instead remains an undisputed clash with Artur Beterbiev. But with Beterbiev facing Anthony Yarde on Jan 28 and then having Callum Smith as a mandatory challenger, it is unlikely he will box a third time in 2023.

With the Beterbiev rematch temporarily unavailable, the British promoter looks to mix Bivol’s undisputed dream with a career-high payday and stage a Canelo Alvarez rematch at 168 for all 4 of Alvarez’s belts.

“Dmitry Bivol is about belts, he’s about legacy. He’s made it clear to us that he can make 168 pounds. Canelo against Bivol at 68 would enable Dmitry Bivol to try and become undisputed at 168 pounds and if he was to be triumphant, he could move up and fight Beterbiev at 175” (DAZN Boxing Show).

Eddie Hearn Reveals Plans To Make The Canelo vs Bivol Rematch At 168 For Canelo’s Undisputed Title

Kornilov stated that the rematch discussions were ‘initial’ but hoped to start talking terms in the coming week. Bivol was open to the rematch at 168 in the same Boxing Social interview stating “If this fight is possible, ok let’s talk about it, let’s do it”.

Bivol plans to return in April/May first in a voluntary defence. Hearn would like to once again attempt in making Bivol against his British contender Joshua Buatsi. Buatsi is the highest-ranked challenger with the WBA and a consensus top-10 light heavyweight. Bivol vs Buatsi was the plan for Bivol’s second 2022 fight until the WBA called Zurdo Ramirez as the mandatory challenger.

By Darshan Desai

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