If Dmitry Bivol emerges victorious in his fight against Artur Beterbiev on October 12th, his popularity is set to soar. Bivol stands to gain more from a win as Canelo Alvarez has expressed interest in facing him next in May, but not against Beterbiev.
Canelo has limited options for marketable fights at 168, with Terence Crawford being a potential opponent who would move up in weight class for the opportunity. However, many doubt Crawford’s chances against Canelo, with the match being seen as a money-making venture for all parties involved.
If Canelo opts to stay at 168 for his next fight in May and chooses not to face Crawford, his possible opponents could include Christian Mbilli, Diego Pacheco, Caleb Plant, Trevor McCumby, and Jermall Charlo.
WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) and IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) are set to fight on ESPN+ in Riyadh.
Defeating Beterbiev will be a challenging task for Bivol, given Beterbiev’s proficiency in handling aggressive fighters. Bivol’s style as a combination puncher may not be well-suited against Beterbiev.
If Bivol secures a win against Beterbiev, it would pave the way for a highly anticipated rematch with Canelo, attracting a significant following from fans. On the other hand, if Beterbiev emerges victorious, Canelo will need to explore other options as he is not keen on facing him.
The bout between Canelo and Crawford is contingent on Turki Alalashikh’s desire to make it happen, as Canelo appears indifferent to the idea. Crawford would likely benefit more from the fight, both financially and in terms of public perception, even in defeat.
Considering Crawford’s lackluster performance against Madrimov on August 3rd and his underwhelming appeal to casual boxing fans, the prospect of a Canelo-Crawford fight may not generate significant excitement among viewers. Canelo’s insistence on high earnings further complicates the likelihood of the match taking place.
With Canelo’s financial demands and Crawford’s recent lackluster showing, the feasibility of a Canelo-Crawford bout remains uncertain. Fans may prefer to see Canelo face other opponents like David Benavidez rather than Crawford.
