Canelo is open to challenges up at 175lbs again, but against one man only
Mexican star Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) teases a possible return to the light heavyweight division, mentioning a rematch with Dmitry Bivol as a potential option.
The 33-year-old will defend his undisputed status at super middleweight against Jaime Munguia in an all-Mexican showdown for Cinco de Mayo weekend, taking place this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.While focusing on his undefeated opponent, who he will share the main event of an Amazon Prime pay-per-view card with, Canelo has also expressed an interest in avenging his defeat to Bivol.
Speaking with One On One Boxing, he said: “The only way I’d go up to 175lbs would be to have a rematch with [Dmitry] Bivol.
“I’m not obsessed with getting it but, if it’s there, and we can come to an agreement in negotiations, I’d love to have that rematch.”
After unifying all four world titles at 168 lbs by scoring an 11th-round stoppage over Caleb Plant, Canelo decided to test himself against WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol in 2022.
However, his risk did not pay off, with Bivol securing a unanimous decision victory over his smaller opponent.
Since then, Canelo found himself involved in a slightly underwhelming trilogy with his bitter rival, Gennady Golovkin, before the Kazakh called it quits on his career.
Then, after a routine defence of his titles against John Ryder in Mexico, he outpointed former undisputed welterweight champion Jermell Charlo in an incredibly one-sided affair, with the American now eying a move back down to his old division.
Bivol, meanwhile, will take on Artur Beterbiev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 1 when an undisputed champion at 175 lbs will be crowned, so long as the fight does not end in a draw.