By Brian Webber: Canelo Alvarez made it clear moments after defeating John Ryder on Saturday night who he wants next, saying he wants a rematch with Dmitry Bivol in his next fight in September. Canelo says he wants the Bivol bout at 175 lbs under the same terms as the last time they fought in May 2022.
Canelo (59-2-2, 39 KOs) tested out his surgically repaired left hand tonight, and it checked out at 100%, with him defeating his WBO mandatory challenger Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) by a twelve round unanimous decision at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. The fight was scored 120-107, 118-109, and 118-109.
Alvarez held onto his undisputed super middleweight championship with his win over Ryder. Those four belts are of less importance compared to what Canelo is about to undertake in returning to the 175-lb division to face his former conqueror, WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) in September in a fight that could prove next to impossible for Alvarez to win.
What we saw tonight, with Canelo laboring to a hard-fought decision win over Ryder, he could be barking up the wrong tree taking on Bivol again because the light heavyweight would have feasted on the Mexican star had he been the one inside the ring instead of the easy to hit British fighter.
“Everybody knows. We want the rematch with Bivol. If the fight with Bivol doesn’t happen, we’ll see. I’m able to fight everybody,” said Canelo Alvarez to DAZN Boxing after the fight tonight against John Ryder when asked who he wants to fight next.
It’s unknown whether Canelo believes he can beat Bivol in September. Some fans believe the only reason Canelo is taking the rematch is that if he didn’t, he’d be expected to fight David Benavidez or David Morrell Jr, and those guys are just as tough as Bivol but more likely to shoot for a knockout.
“Same rules, same terms, same everything,” Canelo said when asked if he wants the rematch with WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol at 175 in September. “I just want it that way.
“I enjoy it a lot, but I’m going to still enjoy it. It feels different with my people who support me. I’m glad to be here. Very good. I’m ready for everything,” said Canelo when asked how his left hand feels after his recent surgery.
“Not at the beginning. I needed a couple of rounds, three rounds to start punching and know I’m good with my [left hand]. Now I know.
“I’m here with the four belts,” said Canelo when asked if he was still at the top of boxing.
