His first loss came nearly a decade ago. But it seems, to most fans, it is the one that came on May 7, 2022, that stands out as a notable setback in an otherwise exemplary boxing career. The one to Floyd Mayweather Jr., in 2013, happened when Canelo Alvarez was yet to find his footing in the big league. But the second one, to Dmitry Bivol, happened when he was in his prime.

Ever since talks of a Bivol-Alvarez rematch have been making an appearance. After the loss, the Mexican superstar moved back to the super middleweight, where he was already the undisputed champion. Including long-time archrival, Gennady Golovkin, he has already fended off four challenges. Now on September 14, he squares off against Edgar Berlanga, though, as a unified champion. Canelo Alvarez spoke about the possibility of a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. As several reports shared the update, many fans too started to make a beeline to share their thoughts.

Canelo Alvarez: Possibly is, possibly isn’t

According to a tweet from talkSPORT‘s Michael Benson, Alvarez might be willing to give a rematch with Bivol another chance, provided he sails through Artur Beterbiev‘s challenge. The much anticipated, undisputed clash between the two light heavyweight champions takes place in Riyadh on October 12.

Canelo Alvarez was in conversation with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo. Considering that he has fought Bivol in the past, Cejudo asked whether Alvarez had been following up with the developments in the light heavyweight division. Alvarez replied, “Yeah, if it’s possible, one day it’s the only fight I make one more time in 175 with that rematch with be both; I think it’s the only fight I will up and fight with him.”

It was not Canelo Alvarez’s first foray into the 175 pounds. Back in 2019, he knocked out Sergey Kovalev to win the division’s WBO title. Nevertheless, an outstanding boxer like Dmitry Bivol completely outboxed and outsmarted him in front of an overwhelming fanbase at the T Mobile Arena. There were talks of a rematch, but eventually, Alvarez returned to 168 pounds to face Golovkin.

A wave of doubts

Most fans, it seems, took Alvarez’s comments with a pinch of salt. Let’s check what a few of them had to say.

This fan highlighted the fact that Dmitry Bivol completely dominated him in the 2022 fight. They believe that if the light middleweight champion is attracted by a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, then it will be for purely monetary reasons. Hence, they find it quite surprising that the Mexican superstar should be setting a precondition. “It’s crazy how it seemingly depends on Bivol defeating Beterbiev. Bivol schooled the hell out of Canelo. The only reason he’d give you a rematch is because he would get a huge payday. Other than that, the fight was so lopsided that it would be a waste of Bivol’s time, “said the fan.

The next fan stressed that the rematch with Bivol would only end in a repetition of what happened two years ago. They said, “Bivol is going to run circles around him again 🤣🤣.” But another suggested Bivol could turn the tables on Alvarez by insisting on a $150 million purse. The amount Alvarez reportedly sought for a fight with Terence Crawford. “Bivol should ask for 150 million,” said the fan.

Laughing out loud, this fan suggested that perhaps, given how he didn’t mention Beterbiev’s name, perhaps Canelo Alvarez doesn’t want a direct confrontation with the 100% knockout artist. The fan said, “He doesn’t want that Beterbiev smoke😂.” Despite their admiration for Alvarez, the following user finds his recent comments increasingly amusing and less serious. “😂 as much as I love this guy, Nelo, he’s becoming more hilarious 🤣 as times goes by.”

Already disappointed with his stance over the fights with David Benavidez and Terence Crawford, fans seemed slightly puzzled by Canelo Alvarez’s optimism about a fight he had lost.

From his side, a few reports suggest that Dmitry Bivol was also inclined to face Canelo Alvarez in the latter’s weight class—168 pounds. As things never came to fruition, the Russian champion made it clear, “I ‘don’t have him (Canelo Alvarez) in my schedule, you know, and in my mind. It’s just somewhere else now. Maybe in the future we could see each other again.”

Hence, it will be interesting to see how things turn up eventually after the October 12 test. If Bivol wins, then will Alvarez be eager to challenge him? Or, for that matter, if he fails, then would a fight still be an attractive proposition for the Mexican superstar?

What’s your take? Should the Bivol-Alvarez rematch take place?