After Dmitry Bivol’s dominating victory over Canelo Álvarez in May 2022, the rematch is guaranteed to captivate fans around the world should it come to fruition. After much speculation regarding the bout’s weight class, Joel Diaz, a member of the Bivol camp, has confirmed the matchup is planned for the 172-pound weight division.
For Álvarez, 172 pounds would be a beneficial weight class equilibrium for him. It would allow him to retain his title belts and remain competitive. According to Diaz, the details of the fight are still being negotiated, however if “all terms favor Canelo,” the much anticipated rematch is likely to happen.
The Bivol camp, however, is not in favor of a rematch given the clear verdict from the judges in the previous fight. Bivol’s manager Vadim Kornilov believes that Canelo’s team is only offering the rematch “to justify themselves and make another fight like they did with [Gennadiy] Golovkin, John Ryder, and [Édgar] Berlanga”. Kornilov believes that a rematch should not be made on the same terms of a first fight that Canelo lost.
It will be a fight worth watching for boxing fans. Canelo’s hunger for revenge and Bivol’s drive for success come together in what is sure to be an eventful night come May 2022. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top when the two meet in the ring.