Vadim Kornilov, the manager of WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, has cast doubt on the likelihood of a rematch between his fighter and the renowned Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. In their previous encounter in May 2022, Canelo, attempting to challenge in the 175-pound division, found himself outclassed by Bivol, who secured a decisive unanimous decision victory. While Canelo had been vocal about his desire for a rematch to settle scores, he subsequently shifted his focus back to the super middleweight division, defending his undisputed title against formidable opponents like Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder.
Canelo’s trajectory seems set on a different path, with his next title defense slated against Jermell Charlo this September at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. Discussions about reigniting the Bivol-Canelo rivalry did take place, but they hit a wall due to disagreements on financial terms and the weight stipulations for the bout. Bivol even showcased his flexibility, indicating his willingness to drop to the 168-pound category to challenge Canelo’s undisputed status.
Kornilov, reflecting on the situation, expressed his skepticism about Canelo’s genuine interest in a rematch. He pointed out that despite Canelo’s repeated mentions of Bivol as a top-priority opponent, his actions spoke differently. Given the clear outcome of their initial bout, Kornilov questions the logic behind a second face-off, emphasizing that they’ve received no substantial offers from Canelo’s camp, only verbal assurances.
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