From the second Dmitry Bivol’s hand was raised in victory, he’s been on the thoughts of Canelo Alvarez day and night time. In fact initially, the 2 confronted off in Could of 2022 with Alvarez opting to maneuver as much as the sunshine heavyweight division. That brazen bounce, in the long run, fully backfired. Although he pushed ahead, threw mixtures, and tried to play well timed protection – all three judges scoring their conflict gave Bivol the slightest edge.
Earlier than trying his get again, Alvarez lastly closed the chapter on his long-running rivalry with Gennadiy Golovkin only a few months later. In his first look of the brand new yr, Alvarez examined his new surgically repaired left hand on the noggin of John Ryder, successful a lopsided determination to kick off his 2023.
With pen and paper in hand, Alvarez banged on the door of Bivol and implored him to run issues again in September. But, even with the possibility to show that his first win was professional, crew Bivol hasn’t come throughout as determined to acquiesce to Alvarez’s calls for. If the pound-for-pound star is to safe a second conflict, crew Bivol has revealed that it will likely be underneath new circumstances. Which means, a distinct weight class, and heftier paychecks.
In the mean time, Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) has ostensibly turned his course to a handful of different fighters, Jermall Charlo being one among them.
In accordance with Mike Coppinger of ESPN, Charlo is rising as a frontrunner for Alvarez’s second outing in September.
Regardless of being massive, sturdy, and highly effective, Eddie Hearn not solely believes that Charlo gained’t win however he’s additionally satisfied that he’ll get steamrolled.
“You possibly can’t count on Charlo to be aggressive in opposition to Canelo in a September combat coming off two years,” mentioned Hearn throughout an interview with Combat Hub TV.
Throughout his clarification, Hearn pointed to Charlo’s largest impediment…rust, and a variety of it.
Through the years, Charlo spent increasingly trip of the ring. In each 2020 and 2021, the 33-year-old has averaged only one yearly look. Nonetheless, even these meager schedules can be thought of an enchancment compared to his latest run.
Due to a bothersome again harm and private points, Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) has remained sequestered on the sidelines for over two years. That size of inactivity, coupled with the Houston native nonetheless campaigning at 160 kilos, has left Hearn with no selection however to provide him a minuscule shot at pulling off the upset if he’s given the decision.
Though he believes that his reply is pragmatic, Hearn reveals that he’s an enormous fan of Charlo. Whereas his fandom gained’t sway him to vary his prediction, Hearn is hoping that he no less than performs properly.
“He’s a very good fighter, Charlo. He’s a very good character and good luck to him.”