Dmitry Bivol poured cold water on a potential rematch with Canelo Alvarez this week, by saying he would rather look to capture more silverware at 175lbs rather than go back over old ground with the Mexican.
When asked by FightHype about the possibility of a rematch, Bivol was rather dismissive and stated that, after facing Gilberto Ramirez on November 5th, his goal was to add more belts to his WBA world title.
“I want to move forward. I don’t want to go back and fight the guys I beat already. I want to push on for my goals – for more belts.”
“For my pride, for my legacy, I want to have more belts.”
Canelo has been vocal about seeking to rematch Bivol ever since the Russian handed him his first defeat in almost a decade this past May.
After victory against Gennadiy Golovkin in their trilogy bout last month, calls again began to arise from the Canelo camp for a 2023 rematch with Bivol – should he come through the Ramirez fight.
However, from Bivol’s comments it’s clear he has his eyes set on a mouth-watering undisputed clash with his countryman Artur Beterbiev – arguably one of the best match-ups in the entire sport.
Should both men get through these next fights, a meeting in summer 2023 for all four belts seems like a logical next step, provided promoter politics can be overcome.