Dmitry Bivol has revealed his shock as former opponent Saul Alvarez expressed a desire to compete at heavyweight.
The Russian will defend his WBA world title at light-heavyweight against mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez before the year is out.
Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) retained his title against ‘Canelo’ back in May and will travel to Abu Dhabi, to the Etihad Arena, to put it on the line against Ramirez on November 5, exclusively live on DAZN.
But the undefeated world champion has expressed his concerns after Alvarez called out Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk, from Ukraine, is the current unified WBA Super, IBF, IBO, WBO and Ring Magazine champion at heavyweight who, after beating Anthony Joshua in a rematch last month, is targeting an all-the-marbles showdown with WBC champion Tyson Fury in the sport’s premier division.
Bivol was so shocked at the idea of the current WBA Super, WBC, IBF and WBO world super-middleweight champion targeting Usyk, who is a former undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight division, he even joked about the Mexican taking on Anthony Joshua.
Bivol spoke to iFL TV in Abu Dhabi at the launch of Matchroom Boxing’s latest expansion into the kingdom in which the first show will feature his aforementioned clash against Ramirez.
“‘Canelo’-Usyk? I think a better fight is ‘Canelo’ [against] Joshua. It will be better, much more.”
Bivol’s suggestion of a showdown between Alvarez and former two-time unified global ruler ‘AJ’ drew laughter in what certainly seemed like a tongue in cheek comment from the man who upset the odds by beating the Mexican earlier this year.
Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) hinted that he wanted a quick return to the ring as he looks to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later in the wake of his second defeat against southpaw Usyk who, like Joshua, is an Olympic champion.