‘I do believe his best is still ahead’: Canelo Alvarez is warned that Dmitry Bivol has not even hit top gear yet despite his dominant victory in Las Vegas at the weekend… as the light-heavyweight’s promoter targets a US rematch in ‘four to five months’
Dmitry Bivol’s promoter has warned Canelo Alvarez that the best is yet to come from his fighter ahead of a potential rematch between the pair later this year.
Canelo was handed his second career defeat against the Russian on Saturday night, coming unstuck for the first time in nine years via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
After sweeping up all four belts in the super-middleweight division the Mexican was a heavy favourite to claim another up at light-heavyweight, only for Bivol to prove too strong and too skilled over 12 rounds.
Dmitry Bivol’s promoter has warned Canelo Alvarez that the best is yet to come from his fighter
The 175lbs champion made the gulf in size between the two men count, demoralising Canelo with a barrage of pinpoint combinations throughout the contest.
And despite three identical scorecards of 115-113 failing to reflect the one-sided nature of the bout, in the end his hand was rightfully raised inside a stunned T-Mobile Arena.
Canelo has the contractual right to an immediate rematch and confirmed in the ring after his defeat that he intends to exercise it.
However, Bivol’s promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy has warned him that he faces an even tougher challenge next time around.
Bivol outclassed Canelo in their WBA light-heavyweight title showdown on Saturday night
The Mexican (right) has already confirmed he will exercise his immediate rematch clause
But Bivol’s promoter has warned that his man is not even at the top of his game right now
‘We have definitely seen one of the greatest fights from Dmitry, but to say it was the best would mean to devalue his abilities and his ambitions,’ Ryabinskiy told Sky Sports.
‘I do believe his best is still ahead.’
After declaring his intention to meet Bivol again in his post-fight interview, Canelo later took to social media to confirm just as much.
He wrote: ‘I stay with the great fight that we offered to the people. We will fight again and we will win again.’
Canelo has been left reeling from his first professional boxing defeat in close to nine years
Bivol is also more than prepared to lock horns with the pound-for-pound superstar once again, saying: ‘A rematch? No problem. I am ready for the rematch, I just want to make sure I win and am treated like a champion now.’
Ryabinskiy believes their return bout will take place in the States once again, adding: ‘I’d say the preparation process will take at least from four to five months.
‘And the place for the fight is still to be decided, but most likely it will be in the US.’
Source: Daily Mail Online