Bivol Could Fight Canelo At Super Middle Weight

In the eyes of many, Russian Dmitrii Bivol shocked the world when he defeated pound for pound king Canelo at the weekend. Canelo, who prior to the Bivol bout, only had one loss on his record, and that was to all-time great Floyd Mayweather. But, after being dominated by his opponent from start to finish, the pendulum could be about to swing in the Mexican’s favour.

Canelo, 31, who has recently resigned with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom outfit, stepped up to light heavyweight to take on Bivol, knowing that there was a rematch clause in place if the worst was to happen, which is now a standard inclusion by Hearn’s promotional company. The Russian, who fights out of California, USA, proved a step too far for the smaller man in Canelo, with natural weight, height and reach also playing crucial factors throughout the fight.

Canelo was quick to put forward the idea of exercising his rematch clause against Bivol in the aftermath of his defeat, but the latter went on to suggest that it wasn’t his goal to have a rematch with the man he had just comprehensively beaten because he’s on the hunt for more belts in the light heavyweight division. However, there is something that Canelo has that could prove tempting to Bivol, and it would surely get him interested in a rematch with the Mexican in due course.

Even though Canelo was on the wrong end of the decision in Las Vegas at the weekend, he still has the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super Middle World Titles in his possession. And, if Bivol was to come down in weight to fight at 168lbs, he’d have a chance of claiming four belts in one fell swoop, something the thirty-one-year-old is said to be keen on doing if the opportunity arises.

Speaking to the YouTube outlet Behind The Gloves, Bivol suggested, “His (Canelo) natural size is for less weight, and mine is too. Maybe next fight for four belts in his division.” There is already confidence brewing in the Bivol camp, primarily from his trainer Joel Diaz, that his charge would overcome Canelo more easily at super middleweight “because he’s already felt his punch – his hardest punch.” 

While Canelo, who has had to put the final instalment of his trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin at super middle on ice to line up the rematch with Bivol, would be primarily fighting to right a wrong and to claim a light heavyweight belt, there would surely be more interest if the rematch was to take place at 168lbs.

Canelo would have all four belts on the line to defend while still having the opportunity to put the Bivol ghost to bed. And, if the Mexican was to be successful, Canelo vs Bivol could turn into a trilogy of its own, which boxing fans would undoubtedly be on board with. It would also make the fight of more interest to Bivol, presenting him with the chance to write his name in pound for pound history.