Canelo Alvarez will decide this week whether to rematch Dmitry Bivol or pursue a trilogy with Gennady Golovkin in September according to Eddie Hearn.
The Mexican star made a step up to 175lbs to face Russian star Bivol but was outpointed in a punch-perfect display from the WBA champion. Alvarez has signed a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing and was set to face Golovkin in September, but also has the option of cashing in on a rematch clause to renew his rivalry with Bivol.
Hearn believes either fight would be a suitable opponent but the Mexican's defeat to Bivol could an extra "competitive" edge to any third meeting with Golovkin. “This week is moving week for us to sit down with Saul and Eddy Reynoso and say, ‘What do we want to do?’ Personally, I’m happy with either," Eddie Hearn told the DAZN Boxing Show.
“The GGG fight is still probably the biggest fight in boxing. The Bivol fight is so dangerous, so tricky — Canelo would go into the Bivol fight an underdog for the first time in his career. You go back to the GGG fight, before the Bivol fight when we were talking about Canelo-GGG, it was, like, ‘That’s an easy fight for Canelo now’.
"And you feel like if Canelo Alvarez would’ve beaten Bivol, he would’ve been a huge favourite going into that fight. Now, remarkably, there are question marks over Canelo Alvarez. ‘Could GGG beat him in the trilogy?’ That fight becomes a bit more competitive."
Alvarez suffered just his second career defeat to Bivol this month nine years on from his majority decision loss to boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. The Mexican confirmed his plans to explore a sequel with Bivol immediately after the fight, with the judges scorecards' scoring the fight as a lot closer than the wider consensus suggested.
Do you think Canelo Alvarez should rematch Dmitry Bivol or face Gennady Golovkin? Let us know in the comments section below
The 31-year-old came into heavy criticism after the fight despite having made a step-up for the second time in a bid to become two-time light-heavyweight champion. Hearn has admitted Alvarez will still want to seek revenge against Bivol even if he decides to meet Golovkin in September.
“After that fight, I went back to the hotel with him. He was absolutely heartbroken," Hearn continued. "The next morning, we went out and played golf. I walked probably eight or nine holes with him, and we just walked the whole way, talking. I saw a wounded lion, which is exactly what you want to see.
"He was very, very sad, very upset. I said to him, ‘What do you want to do?’ And he said, ‘I want to get back as soon as possible.’ But I think he also wants to map out the future as soon as possible. It’s Gennadiy Golovkin in September, or it’s Bivol in September, but if it’s Gennadiy Golovkin in September, it’s Bivol after, because he isn't letting that go."
