Via Sean Jones: Artur Beterbiev says he wants the next 175lb WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, NOT his victim, Canelo Alvarez, for his next bout for the undisputed throne following his glittering knockout win in front of WBO champion Joe Smith Jr last Saturday night in front of a large crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York.
A fight against Canelo was not mentioned for a good reason. He is scheduled to face Gennady Golovkin on September 17.
As bad as Canelo was against Bivol in his recent strike, it’s not a forged conclusion that he will beat 40-year-old Golovkin. I wouldn’t be surprised if GGG does some on Canelo, completing work Bivol started last May.
Losing to Golovkin wouldn’t be so bad for Canelo. At least then, he can have more time for golf, which seems to be his main focus, than boxing.
Canelo looks like he lost a significant part of his game, maybe good camouflage due to his choice of opponent from late 2018.
Before fighting Bivol, Canelo mainly focused on facing paper champion at 168 and 175 from this group:
- Billy Joe Saunders
- Sergey Kovalev
- Rocky Fielding
- Danny Jacobs
- Caleb . Factory
- Callum Smith
Fighting those lesser belt holders is said to have helped Canelo hide his in-game slump. Unfortunately, when Canelo joined Bivol, he noticed the wear and tear of the Mexican star, exposing what was left of his game to the light of day.
“Yes, because they always talk, they always talk as if they want to fight for the next place. Okay, let’s do it,” Artur Betterbiev said to Sports artist KO when asked if he wants to win the next 175-lb WBA Dmitry Bivol after destroying WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. in the second round last Saturday night or not.
“Yes, I want this fight,” Beterbiev said when asked if he wants Bivol in his fight with Canelo Alvarez.
I can’t say I blame Beterbiev for wanting to fight Bivol for Canelo because it would be a inconclusive situation for a talented athlete who was a two-time champion if he chose Alvarez. Even if he beat the vivid daylight out of Canelo like Bivol did, he wouldn’t get any credit. Alvarez looks washed and one-sided at this stage in his long career.
Boxing fans will point out that Bivol had Canelo before him, suggesting that the Mexican star’s bout has gone downhill, perhaps due to his preoccupation with his hobby.play golf.
In the worst performance of the Mexican superstar’s career, Canelo was recently battered in the ring by undefeated Bivol on May 7.
Even Floyd Mayweather Jr didn’t make Canelo look as lousy as Bivol did in his dominating win over the former four-time world champion.
Beterbiev is a boxer more about achievement than doing loads of things. For that reason, Beterbiev would rather fight WBA champion Beterbiev for the undisputed title at 175 than against Canelo.
“No one has told us about the other person yet, but, of course, we have to focus on Joe Smith. That is a very serious challenge. We shall see. We may take a week or two. We’ll be talking to Top Rated about what will be the next step for Artur,” Beterbiev coach Marc Ramsay told KO Artist Sports when asked about his reaction when Anthony Yarde was in the ring. .
“Of course, Artur is 37 years old, and what he wants to do is unify the titles. Even if you ask him if he would rather play against Canelo, even if Canelo still brings in more money for today, he would like to play against Bivol. It’s not for the money.
“It is not because of the name that we have something against Bivol. It’s just that he has one belt, and Artur wants a fourth. That is the end of the story. It had nothing to do with money for him, and it was nothing personal. It’s very heritage. He wanted to be the best he could be,” Ramsay said.
