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Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 57-1-2 (39) has revealed the reason he decided to jump up in weight to face WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol 19-0 (11).
The 31-year-old undisputed super middleweight champion will be facing the undefeated 31-year-old Russian at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 7.
It is part of a two-fight deal with promoter Matchroom Boxing and broadcaster DAZN that will see him face IBF middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin 41-1-1 (36) for a third time in September. Both fights will be on pay-per-view.
“I chose Bivol because he’s a good fighter,” Alvarez said in the ring ahead of the Roman Chocolatito’ Gonzalez clash against Julir Cesar ‘El Rey’ Martinez in San Diego on Saturday night.
“For me, he’s the best at 175 and he has something to offer me. I just want to make history in my career and I’m going to continue dealing with these guys.
“He is really good. He knows what to do in the ring, he has a lot of experience in the amateurs, he’s been champion for a long time.
“I know what kind of fighter he is but I really don’t care. I’m in my prime and I have a lot of skills.”
Kazakhstan’s Golovkin, 39, fought two disputed bouts against Alvarez in 2017 and 2018. The first ended in a split draw while the rematch went down to the wire, resulting in a majority decision victory for Alvarez.
“For me, I think [two fights] were enough, but we got this deal and for me it was the best deal,” Alvarez said. “This is personal because he talked a lot of shit about me so he’s gonna pay.”
Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn believes the bad blood between Alvarez and Golovkin is real.
“I’m telling you now, the build-up to Canelo versus GGG III will be unbelievable,” Hearn said to FightHype.
“They can’t stand each other. In the past, they never really wanted to say anything, but now they don’t really care what they say. I want both guys to look great as it builds up towards the biggest fight in boxing.”
The Canelo sweepstakes are the richest in boxing. Earlier this year there was talk of Alvarez moving up to cruiserweight to face WBC champion Ilunga Makabu. WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo was considered another potential opponent before the deal with Matchroom and DAZN was made. Undefeated former WBC super middleweight titleholder David Benevidez has also been angling for a shot at the champ.
But Alvarez has a simple message for all of them.
“I’m busy this year, so I’m sorry,” he said. “They want the payday, but I really don’t understand why they don’t fight each other. They need to fight each other and I’ll fight the winner of all of them. I don’t fucking care.”
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