Via Sean Jones: Dmitry Bivol .’s manager Vadim Kornilov are skeptical about whether coach Canelo Alvarez seriously wants a rematch in September.
Contrary to what Canelo and his promoter Eddie Hearn have said about wanting a rematch with WBA lightweight champion Bivol in September, Kornilov says there has been no discussion from the Mexican star to start the second war.
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) wanted to fight Canelo at 168th for four belts, but Kornikov considered the rematch pointless if it were to take place at 175 as it would look like their first match in September. 5 years ago. Canelo was knocked out by Bivol, having to learn twelve rounds one-way.
As Kornilov pointed out, Canelo competing outside the 168th weight class to face Bivol in 175th again would not be successful. “cover losses” if he gets hit again.
If that’s Canelo’s view of wanting a rematch at 175, it won’t disguise another one-sided defeat. He will still be defeated by Bivol.
If Canelo is serious about wanting a rematch with Bivol, it could be because it gives him a reason to keep beating David Benavidez and David Morrell in 168th place.
Those two lions are chasing Canelo, and he has no interest in fighting them both. Against Bivol at 175th, Canelo can tell his fans, ‘See, I don’t mind fighting elite warriors.‘ What could really be that Canelo is using Bivol as someone to give him a useful excuse as to why he kicked Beterbiev and Morrell out of his weight class.
Will the rematch between Canelo and Bivol take place in September?
“Munguia is still negotiating. Hopefully we can get that workout up and running in June. Dmitry has never retreated from a fight. He will fight anyone,” Vadim Kornilov told ID Boxing, giving an update on Dmitry Bivol. “Right now, that seems to be the only fight that makes sense.
“If it fails, there are a few fallback options. There are thoughts about going straight into a match in September, whether it will be Beterbiev or Canelo. Dmitry is calling me, telling me he wants big unification battles. Right now, it’s Beterbiev or Canelo. To be honest with you, I think we’ll hit the bottom line this weekend.
“I just hope that with what Canelo is saying, it is an option. I just hope there’s some seriousness in that. I believe he has personality and he has proven that throughout his career. He didn’t want that loss on his record and in his consciousness,” Kornilov said.
Bivol’s coach skeptical about Canelo rematch
“So I believe he wants it, but I really doubt that the rest of the team he wants to fight because I don’t see why they would. Why would they want to fight Bivol?” Kornilov said.
“There was a lot of talk in the press, but no discussion. It’s nothing serious,” Kornilov said when asked why he believes Canelo Alvareez’s team isn’t serious about a rematch with Bivol.
“If I were on Canelo’s team, I would probably say the same thing. Why do you want to fight him? Now, he will tell the press that he wants to fight him at rank 175. In my opinion, it’s basically a repeat of last time because Dmitry is ready to fight him at 168. He’s motivated to do it because of the title he’s won. [Canelo] available at 168.
“At the same time, it gives Canelo an opportunity to do something new and have a weight class advantage or no disadvantage because the last time he said it, he didn’t feel like it was his weight class. So if that’s the case, why do it again at 175 .?? I think it makes more sense to do it in [Canelo] weight level.
“Obviously a financial problem. That also has to work because, from what I heard, he wants to achieve the same or better results as in the first fight. [with Bivol]. Usually, when you lose a battle, you have to be more generous with the opponent who will come back and fight you again.
“Sport has changed. Now it’s a little different. Now you can lose and still be on the pound list. There are no excuses for this sport. If you compete in a different weight class and you lose, it does not cover up the loss. You still lose.
“If the pound list is based on popularity or how much you make, why don’t we put the Youtube guys on the pound list? Other famous Youtubers should also be there.
“I still think the pound list means the best in pound boxing. Not the most popular or the biggest ticket the largest rated seller or driver. I think it’s about getting into sports. Right now, there are a few people out there who still haven’t proven it.
Bivol leaning towards taking Beterbiev
“Motivation to fight for titles,” Kornilov said of Bivol’s interest in fighting for Canelo’s undisputed super-middleweight championship. “It was an undisputed war. That makes that fight much more engaging. On the other hand, we have the Betterbiev option. He may have to fight [Callum] Blacksmith.
“Whoever wins that war, that option is available. That war is indisputable. So why would Bivol want to take a chance at 175th against Canelo? Canelo is a serious fighter. He can shoot one shot and take one down and knock someone out. It can happen to anyone and it can happen to Dmitry.
“So why would he risk it when he can fight Beterbiev and put his name in the history books again in an undisputed way? So we have to weigh that and see which option is better, and I think right now, from what I’ve heard from Bivol, he’s leaning towards picking Beterbiev because he’s finished Canelo .
“It’s the kind behind us and the kind of our past. That, in my opinion, is what Canelo really needs,” Kornilov said.
