There is talk of Canelo Alvarez challenging WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, but WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol says Canelo should fight him instead. “If Canelo Alvarez wants a true challenge on September 14 he can look no further and fight me at the super middleweight limit or light heavyweight. I am much more motivated by a challenge in fighting the best than material terms.”
Bivol (16-0, 11 KOs) also said he’s being ducked by pretty much everybody. “My team has had discussions with representatives with all the other belt holders at light heavyweight; Sergey Kovalev, Artur Beterbiev and Oleksandr Gvozdyk and there has been no response for these title unification fights that the fans want to see. We’re all very good fighters, let’s prove to the fans which one is best!”
He continued, “I have also said that I am interested in fighting Callum Smith and Gilberto Ramirez at 168lbs., but never heard any response. I can make super middleweight and would love the opportunity to fight for a world title in that division.”
Manager Vadim Kornilov added, “Dmitry Bivol vs. Marcus Browne was the mandated fight for the world title but Browne’s team asked for an exception and he decided to first see if he can keep up with a fighter that Dmitry has already beaten (Jean Pascal).”
Bivol is excellent technically and has no real weaknesses. I do think he is the best of the light heavyweight champions and would be a real threat to Canelo at super middleweight.
He is not the best at light heavyweight. Gvozdyk is, and Bivol is not a threat to Canelo because Ginger would never fight him. Bivol would knock Canelo out. Fans are swindled by Canelo. Aficionados are not.
Not sure why Beterbiev will not fight a top guy. He seemed like the best of the bunch, but refuses to prove it. Kovalev will fight anyone and has but is probably negotiating with Canelo for a fight still. Gvodzyk is exciting and I would love to see him fight Bivol. I think Bivol is the weakest of the bunch, but LHW is loaded at the moment.
I think Kovalev is the weakest with Bivol taking 2nd. The nail is the best at light heavyweight and is carrying the lineal championship proudly.
Canelo is only name dropping Kovalev and has no intention of fighting the russian, because he has already offered main events insulting money for the fight meaning they are pricing themselves out of it. They would also demand some type of catchweight or ridiculous rehydration clause. Bivol’s team could take the fight for what they are offering Kovalev and with a light heavyweight title on the line to boot, as well as with the same rehydration clause. Therefore calling team canelo’s bluff. So, you will see Mike Tyson versus Muhammad Ali before you will see Canelo fight Bivol.
Huge risk, little reward. You know how this works.
I think Bivol would be a monster at 168. He’s probably the best boxer at 175 right now, but as his competition has gotten tougher his power has tapered off. It’s probably because he is fighting at close to his walking around weight. At 168, I think the big power would be evident.
Canelo vs Bivol makes way more sense at 168 than Kovalev, but I doubt they’ll bite.
Canelo come around and everybody wants to kiss the ring of the golden goose. The Light heavy;s need to fight each other. Canelo, you still have middleweight business to attend to.