Artur Beterbiev became undisputed light-heavyweight champion this month with a victory over Dmitry Bivol, a man Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez was targetting next.
Canelo lost to Bivol back in 2022, only the second defeat of his career, when he moved up from super-middle to light-heavy to challenge for the Russian’s WBA World Title.
Bivol kept hold of it over the distance unanimously and, this past weekend, took it to Saudi Arabia to face the division’s other champion, Beterbiev.
In a close-fought contest Beterbiev came out the victor via majority decision – the first fight of his professional career that has reached the final bell.
Though an immediate rematch is most likely, many in the sport are wondering if Canelo still has the same desire to move up in weight again when it’s not Bivol who has the belts.
If he does, Ryan Garcia would back him to become undisputed. Speaking on social media after the Bivol fight, Garcia stated that “Canelo beats Beterbiev” after he had called the result a robbery.
Although it’s unlikely to happen, and certainly not next, the match-up would pit the granite chin of Canelo – who hasn’t been down in 66 contests – against the raw power of Beterbiev. Both like to walk their opponents down and cut off the ring, so there is little doubt the bout would be anything other than thrilling.
Bivol is currently in the process of attempting to force a second fight with Beterbiev following the close decision which many felt should have been in his favour.
