Canelo Alvarez has two clear options for his next fight – David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol.
The undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super-middleweight world champion successfully retained his belts in his Mexico homecoming victory over John Ryder at the start of this month and is now planning his next move.
In the immediate aftermath of the win, Canelo made it clear that his aim is to rematch the man who beat him last year.
Bivol earned an upset unanimous decision win last May as he handed the Mexican his first defeat since he was outboxed by Floyd Mayweather as a 23-year-old back in 2013.
Canelo is adamant that he wants a shot at revenge over the Russian WBA light-heavyweight world champion.
However, Bivol has explained that he is not overly motivated by the rematch having already beaten Canelo comfortably in a defence of his belt.
The Russian said he would be willing to fight the Mexican again, but only if he can move down in weight and challenge him for his undisputed super-middleweight world titles.
Canelo replied but insisting that he is not interested in this idea and would rather once again move up to face Bivol so there are no excuses used to diminish a potential revenge victory.
If this dispute cannot be resolved, he may have to look elsewhere for his next fight – which is expected to take place on September 16th.
Canelo has been a free agent signing short-term one-fight or two-fight deals with promoters and broadcasters since his split from Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy in 2020.
Each time he finishes a bout, the pound-for-pound star and his trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso engage in talks with Britain’s global promoter Eddie Hearn and powerful American advisor Al Haymon who present them with competing offers for his next fight.
Bivol is represented by Hearn’s Matchroom and his fights are broadcast by DAZN, while Benavidez works with Haymon’s PBC and his fights are broadcast by Showtime.
In March, Benavidez beat Canelo’s former foe Caleb Plant in a thrilling bout to keep hold of his WBC ‘interim’ belt and earn the mandatory position to be Canelo’s next WBC super-middleweight challenger.
On Friday, his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz met with Reynoso for talks about a potential September showdown.
They were joined by Luis DeCubas, who works closely with Haymon and PBC.
Lewkowicz tweeted after the meeting: “I had the pleasure and honour of sharing a meeting with Eddy Reynoso and Luis DeCubas for the undisputed champion match [with] Canelo.
“Next week I will send him an official offer for him to analyse and make a decision on his future challenger.”
Time will tell which option Canelo decides to take.
