By Dan Ambrose: Eddie Hearn revealed on Thursday that WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is still in play for Canelo Alvarez’s next fight in September.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn says they need to get the money agreed on for the Canelo-Bivol rematch, as Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) didn’t agree to what’s been offered to him thus far.
Bivol continues to be Canelo’s preferred choice for his next fight despite the emergence of Jermall Charlo & Badou Jack as plan B options for the Mexican star.
It’s possible that Canelo is intentionally putting Bivol in limbo, making him think he’s not getting the fight, but in reality, he’s the primary target for September.
Bivol and his manager Vadim Kornilov don’t like that Canelo has offered him the same deal as their previous fight in May of last year, even though he beat him. They believe that if Canelo wants the rematch, he’ll offer a new deal.
Hearn says WBC cruiserweight champion Badou is one for the first quarter 2024, but not this year.
With only three months before Canelo’s next fight in September, there’s not enough time for him to bulk up to fight the much bigger Badou at cruiserweight.
“We’re going through the deals with the fighters. We offered Bivol a
deal, which he didn’t accept. We need to get the money right for both guys,” said Eddie Hearn to K.O. Artist Sports about the Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch for September.
“I still think it’s the preferential choice of Saul, but obviously he’s got [Jermall] Charlo, and he’s got [David] Benavidez. I think the Badou Jack fight is one maybe for early next year,” Hearn continued about Canelo.
Jermall Charlo’s name was mentioned this week as having a good chance of being Canelo’s next fight.
However, Charlo did not mention a fight with Canelo when he spoke with Demetrius Andrade on social media on Thursday. Indeed, the unbeaten Charlo agreed to fight Andrade in October.
“We’ve got a couple of options that we’re talking to him about as well next week. So we’ll have to see, but it’s ongoing with Dmitry Bivol.
“The WBC won’t put the belt on the line. So it couldn’t be undisputed
at 168. Saul wants the same conditions as before to prove that he can win that fight under those circumstances.
“So there are a few things, but ultimately, the money’s not acceptable yet, so we have to get there.”
