The man who handed Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez his second career defeat has made his prediction for his upcoming undisputed defence against Jermell Charlo.
Charlo will jump up two weight classes, leaving his own undisputed status at 154lbs for the challenge. On top of the new division, he has been out of the ring for 16 months, and has suffered a serious hand injury in that time.
What he has going for is height and reach, as well as perhaps a little speed, depending on how he handles the bulk up. Charlo also benefits from a school of thought that Canelo is on the decline following a loss and two points decision wins that many fans felt would have been stoppages in his prime.
The man who kicked that off was Dmitry Bivol, and he has taken to social media ahead of the fight to make his pick.
“It’s going to be an interesting fight. I think Canelo should win. But I will be happy if Charlo wins. I am interested in a unification fight at 168.”
It's going to be an interesting fight. I think Canelo should win. But I will be happy if Charlo wins. I am interested in a unification fight at 168 #CaneloCharlo
— Dmitry Bivol (@bivol_d) September 30, 2023
Bivol beat Canelo by unanimous decision last year to keep his undefeated record in tact and retain his WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title. A strong jab and excellent fundamentals – as well as being the bigger man – helped him on his way.
It was only the second loss of the Mexican’s storied career, and the first in close to a decade after Floyd Mayweather scored a majority decision over him back in 2013.
For a long time there was talk that Canelo wanted nothing more than the Bivol rematch, but disputes about purses and, more importantly, weight saw it collapse.
Bivol has brought his stance up again with his pick, making it clear that he is interested in more belts and legacy, and would want the super-middleweight straps up for grabs rather than his own 175 belt should they meet again.
Of course, Canelo must come through Charlo first – and the American is absolutely there to win.