Dmitry Bivol’s promoter, Frank Smith, says he’s interested in him fighting a rematch against Canelo Alvarez and prefers that over a title defense against his inherited WBC mandatory David Benavidez. It’s understandable why Frank would prefer Canelo for Bivol rather than Benavidez because it’s a bigger money fight, and Dmitry had a better chance of winning.
Canelo, 5’8″, is a lot smaller than the 6’1″ Bivol, and he was beaten on size the time they fought. It would be like Bivol moving up to face IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. He would be dealing with a nightmare against Opetaia.
Bivol defeated Canelo by a 12-round unanimous decision on May 7, 2022, and Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has been eager lately to lure the Mexican star into a rematch. Hearn was interested in Bivol (24-1, 20 KOs) capturing the undisputed 175-lb championship from Artur Beterbiev because he believed it could entice Canelo to want to fight him.
Canelo’s 2025 Schedule
Thus far, Canelo hasn’t uttered a peep about wanting to fight Bivol again, and it’s doubtful that he ever will before retiring. WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion Canelo (62-2-2, 39 KOs) have a full plate in 2025, with a fight against IBF champ Willam Scull on May 3rd for the undisputed championship at 168. After that, Canelo will defend against Terence Crawford on September 13th.
Bivol will likely fight a trilogy match against Beterbiev next. That’s what Turki Alalshikh mentioned last Saturday night following Bivol’s 12-round majority decision win over Beterbiev in their rematch at The Venue in Riyadh. If Bivol wins that, he’s going to have to defend against Benavidez if he wants to keep his WBC belt.
That’s a bad style match-up for Bivol because Benavidez is excellent at cutting off the ring, he throws a lot of punches, and he won’t take a long rest break like Beterbiev did after the sixth round last Saturday. Bivol likely loses badly to Benavidez.
“The other fight out there is Canelo Alvarez,” said Matchroom promoter Frank Smith to Boxing King Media about who he wants to see Dmitry Bivol fight next. “I’m not saying that’s the next fight. He’s got his own plans, but what a fight that is.
“Dmitry Bivol is a special fighter. I don’t personally think that’s the fight, but who knows,” said Frank when asked if he’s interested in a clash between WBC mandatory David Benavidez and Bivol next. “He’ll fight anyone. There are British fights as well for Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde.
“There’s lots of fights to be made. He’s worked for this moment for so long, and he was so close to it in October. He should have gotten it in October,” said Smith about Bivol. “He had to wait four months longer, but it was worth it.”
