Dmitry Bivol, the WBA light heavyweight champion, is open to dropping down to the super middleweight division for significant fights, expressing particular interest in a rematch with Canelo Alvarez. Despite rehydrating to about 185 lbs for his light heavyweight bouts, Bivol believes he can emulate David Benavidez’s discipline in making the 168-lb limit.
Bivol’s team is currently seeking an opponent for him to face either in December or January, with Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic and Ronald Gavril mentioned as potential contenders. However, these fighters are not expected to draw significant public interest. With a unification bout against Artur Beterbiev on the horizon, should Beterbiev defeat Callum Smith, Bivol’s victory might prompt him to consider a move to 168 lbs in search of more lucrative bouts.
The light heavyweight division’s appeal may diminish post-Beterbiev clash, leaving Bivol with limited high-profile competition. Dropping to super middleweight could open doors for Bivol to engage with names like David Benavidez, Caleb Plant, and David Morrell Jr. However, a rematch with Canelo seems unlikely, as Alvarez has shown no inclination for a second fight, and Bivol would need a compelling reason, such as a title opportunity, to undergo the challenging weight cut.
Bivol’s team is clear that a rematch with Canelo is not a necessity, but rather a focus on securing a fight soon and setting sights on Beterbiev. Bivol’s promoter suggests that only a situation where Canelo has no other viable opponents might compel a rematch. Despite rumors, Bivol denies any substantial talks of a rematch with Canelo, indicating that the fight was never seriously on the table, and believes Canelo’s switch to a different network was partly to avoid a second encounter with him.
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