Dmitry Bivol has established himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Back in February, he became undisputed light heavyweight champion with a victory over Artur Beterbiev, gaining revenge after Beterbiev had won the first bout back in October.
Bivol has since vacated the WBC belt and it is now in the possession of David Benavidez, but the Russian remains the IBF, WBA and WBO champion ahead of what was expected to be a trilogy contest with Beterbiev.
That proposed third meeting has now gone quiet though, with Bivol recovering from back surgery and Beterbiev instead choosing to take a bout in the interim, as he will return against Deon Nicholson in November.
Beterbiev has been vocal with his criticism of his long-term rival for the delay to making the third fight happen, and he may find himself even more frustrated after recent comments from Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn.
Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn discussed Bivol’s future, and admitted that there is another fight out there that his man would want even more than a third clash with Beterbiev.
“The one he’d really like is Canelo.”
Hearn also mentioned the trilogy, a fight with WBC Champion David Benavidez or a move up to cruiserweight to challenge Jai Opetaia as potentials, though not top of the list.
Bivol met Canelo back in May 2022, claiming a unanimous decision win to retain his belt and hand the Mexican superstar just the second defeat of his professional career.
Canelo has bounced back from that loss by becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champion, and returns in September to defend that crown against Terence Crawford.
If he is victorious in the fight against Crawford, then getting the chance to avenge his loss against Bivol could be an appealing option for Alvarez, and could spell further disappointment for Beterbiev if that means their the trilogy does not happen.