Canelo preps for a relative unknown opponent Bivol

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez might have been asked more about golfers Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka than his actual opponent, when he met reporters Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Gennady Golovkin’s name was definitely mentioned more than Dmitry Bivol, the unknown challenger who’s tasked with stepping into the ring with the Mexican superstar today for Cinco de Mayo weekend.

For nearly four years, Alvarez showed disinterest in a trilogy bout with Golovkin. Alvarez said he had nothing to prove after recording a majority decision over Golovkin in the 2018 rematch, but the real reason might be because Alvarez didn’t want to give his nemesis the satisfaction of a third payday.

But that changed after Alvarez agreed to a three-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and DAZN, the sports streaming service. Bivol, the Russian light heavyweight champion, is the first opponent on Alvarez’s new deal, followed by a grudge match against Golovkin on Sept. 17 and concluding with a third opponent to be named later.

So when did the flame to fight Golovkin reignite?

“It still hasn’t,” Alvarez, 31, said in Spanish after being asked that specific question. “But we already have this contract. He’s talking nonsense about me. He’s always saying nonsense and discrediting me in various ways. That’s what made this fight personal.”

Just to be clear, Alvarez offered a stronger word in Mexican slang than “nonsense.”

It’s personal for those asking why Alvarez is trying to convince the boxing public that Bivol is a dangerous opponent before meeting a 40-year-old Golovkin and not the younger and more intriguing opponents that Premier Boxing Champions reportedly offered before Alvarez signed with Hearn and DAZN.

PBC offered Alvarez a bout against middleweight champion Jermall Charlo for Cinco de Mayo weekend with options for Sept. 17 to fight super middleweight contender David Benavidez or unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. at a catchweight of 164 pounds, according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger.

Alvarez agrees that a trilogy bout with Golovkin is past its expiration date, but it’s personal, and more importantly, it will likely draw big numbers at the box office.

Alvarez and Golovkin settled for a controversial split draw in 2017 for the first bout. The initial rematch was canceled because Alvarez tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. Alvarez said the positive test was triggered by contaminated meat and Golovkin didn’t buy it, leading to the war of words between the rivals.

Charlo and Benavidez aren’t household names but they’re dangerous opponents, and maybe a catchweight bout against Spence could be as successful as a pay-perview bout with Golovkin. But beating a smaller Spence, although he fights like a middleweight, might not do much for Alvarez’s legacy.

It’s all about legacy at this point in Alvarez’s career. Alvarez, who is regarded as boxing’s best pound-forpound fighter, is the undisputed champion at super middleweight, has held titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight. Alvarez, a minus-500 betting favorite, could regain a title at 175 pounds if/when he defeats Bivol and takes his WBA belt today in Las Vegas.

Alvarez is also flirting with the idea of going up in weight to challenge Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion and current threebelt heavyweight champion. A fight with Usyk could certainly help Alvarez’s legacy if the action in the ring is memorable.

“That’s the thing, you say Usyk, but I’ll fight everybody,” Alvarez said in English. “I don’t (expletive) care.”

No one should question Alvarez’s willingness to fight opponents — his accomplishments and past opponents speak for that. But he might be taking the wrong approach when it comes to building legacy at least for 2022. Alvarez wants to chase more belts and he wants to punish Golovkin, but hopefully he reconsiders fighting Charlo and Benavidez in the near future.

“I want to fight all my life,” Alvarez said. “Maybe six, seven years (more). Maybe. … I like the idea of being undisputed at 175, but this is first.”

Division titles look nice on resumes, but if Alvarez is truly fighting for legacy, then the best way to do that is by participating in memorable bouts. Alvarez’s two fights with Golovkin will be remembered for a long time, but that category gets thin after that.

Alvarez will be remembered for his win against Miguel Cotto, but it’s not considered a memorable bout. Alvarez will also be remembered for being the 23-yearold boxer who challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a losing effort nine years ago.

Alvarez hasn’t been defeated since fighting Mayweather and he’s fought several quality opponents in four different weight classes, but the casual boxing fan can barely remember the postGolovkin wins against Daniel Jacobs, Sergey Kovalev, Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant. They most likely remember which fight party they attended for the two Golovkin fights.

“He has everything,” Alvarez said about fighting Bivol. “He’s a good boxer, he’s strong and he’s a solid champion at 175.”

Alvarez has earned the right to pick his career path and people will tune in to watch his fights regardless of opponent. But his fights lately haven’t been engraved in boxing fans’ minds and a third bout with a middleaged Golovkin is redundant.

There aren’t many established young stars for Alvarez to choose from, but he can turn Benavidez and Charlo into household names. The 25-year-old Benavidez is an aggressive fighter with powerful combinations and he’s also of Mexican descent. Benavidez has the size and skill set to at least push Alvarez and possibly become a boxing star in the process.

Charlo, 31, also has power and his trash-talking personality would help promote a bout against Alvarez.

But first things first, Alvarez has Bivol and then personal matters to settle with Golovkin. Perhaps Benavidez and Charlo should fight each other with the winner waiting for Alvarez in 2023.

Until then, Alvarez will continue talking about his favorite golfers during fight week. Here’s hoping Saturday will be memorable.

“Golf might be the only thing that can beat Canelo,” Hearn said.