By Sean Jones: Joe Smith Jr. says he thinks Canelo Alvarez should give up on fighting WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in a rematch at 175 because he’s “too much” for him.
Canelo has the option of fighting Bivol again or the winner of this Saturday’s light heavyweight unification match between Smith Jr and IBF/WBC champ Artur Beterbiev. Those two are headlining at Madison Square Garden in New York.
If Canelo wants to show bravery, he’ll be at ringside to immediately call out the contest’s winner. Sean Jones won’t be holding his breath, waiting for that to happen.
Canelo learned a BIG lesson in his schooling by Bivol on May 7th, and he’s probably not going to ever venture back up to 175 again, be it against Dmitry or the Beterbiev-Smith winner.
Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) knows firsthand what it’s like to lose to the unbeaten WBA 175-lb champion Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) and has been on the receiving end of a one-sided 12-round unanimous decision loss in 2019.
Bivol had an easier time defeating Canelo last May than he did against Smith, and the way he dominated the Mexican star, was like child’s play.
The unbeaten Bivol stayed in first gear the entire fight, toying with Canelo, who looked exhausted from the third round.
Although Canelo (57-2-2, 39 KOs) said immediately after the fight that he wanted a rematch with Bivol, he’s been talked out of it. He will be facing 40-year-old Gennadiy Golovkin on September 17th in their trilogy match at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
If Canelo chooses to keep his word and face Bivol in a rematch, that fight will likely take place in May next year.
“I thought his performance against Canelo was great, and I’d be excited to share the ring with him one more time,” said Joe Smith Jr. to Fighthype when asked about his thoughts on Dmitry Bivol’s win over Canelo Alvarez on May 7th.
“I don’t think Canelo should fight Bivol again at 175. I believe Bivol was a little too much for him,” Smith continued when asked if Canelo should fight Bivol again.
“Yeah, if I get past Beterbiev on Saturday and I hold three belts, I would love to redeem myself against Bivol for the final one.
“I think a lot of fighters dream of this, and I’m looking forward to it,” said Smith about his unification match against IBF/WBC champion Beterbiev on Saturday.
“I’m a tough, determined guy. I’ve overcome many obstacles to get here, and I’m here. I’m hoping I can pull it off and become a unified champion.
“I believe this is going to be a tough fight, and I don’t think either one of us will have to go look for it because we’re going to be there, forcing the pressure and making it a great fight. One way or another, it’s going to be a great fight,” said Smith.
