A startling revelation has brought renewed attention to the 2022 Dmitry Bivol–Canelo Alvarez fight. Barely a month into the new year, much of the boxing discourse remains centered around one man – Canelo Alvarez. The former undisputed super middleweight champion is now being linked to a potential showdown with pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford. Many feel the fight could be the biggest of the modern era.

With this narrative dominating headlines, the prospect of a Bivol rematch seems to have faded into the background. As fans remember, Bivol shattered Canelo’s ambitions of ruling the 175-pound division two years ago. Sporadic discussions of a rematch surfaced. Alvarez had previously suggested that a second fight would hinge on Bivol’s performance against Artur Beterbiev in an undisputed title clash – an opportunity Bivol ultimately lost. Now, Bivol and Beterbiev are set to face off again on February 22 in a highly anticipated rematch. However, it is the Canelo-Crawford storyline that currently captivates the boxing world.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol: A Trainer’s Shocking Revelation

Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Bernstein, a revered figure in boxing, will turn 86 this year. The Actopan, Veracruz-born trainer, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame fifteen years ago alongside Mike Tyson and Sylvester Stallone, continues to offer deep insights into the sport.

During a recent appearance on the Spanish YouTube channel ‘El Boxglero,‘ Bernstein made claims that could leave many in shock. According to the legendary trainer, who has worked with greats like Juan Manuel Marquez and Oscar De La Hoya, there were serious payment issues surrounding the Dmitry Bivol vs. Canelo Alvarez fight.

Bernstein alleged that Bivol never received his full purse for the fight against Canelo. Reports suggest the amount in question falls between $5.5 million and $7.5 million. However, due to certain conditions attached to the payment, Bivol allegedly refused to take the money.

“They were forcing him to lose, but he never gave in, never accepted it, and fought with the intention of winning,” said Ignacio Bernstein in Spanish. The award-winning trainer further highlighted how, despite the circumstances, Bivol went on to secure a dominant victory over Canelo. “Bivol really cared more about his name, his victory, and proving himself over Canelo,” he said.

The X account ‘The Spit Bucket Podcast’ simplified the conversation by noting in the captions, the accusations revealed in the clip. “Legendary Mexican Trainer, Nacho Beristain, claims that Dmitry Bivol is yet to be paid following his win over Canelo Alvarez because Bivol was not supposed to win… Beristain claims that Bivol is still owed between 5-7 million dollars.”

Bivol’s Own Statement on the Matter

According to Bernstein, Bivol was unable to publicly discuss the matter due to restrictions. He waited for a long time. However, realizing that they would not pay him, he finally decided to speak out. Ignacio Bernstein further highlighted the issues that plague modern-day boxing.

The disclosure might appear startling. While Bernstein’s claims may seem shocking, past reports lend credibility to at least part of the story. Two years ago, Dmitry Bivol told the Russian news agency TASS that he had not received any portion of the contractually guaranteed $5 million. “I don’t get paid; I think it’s very difficult to get paid,” Bivol reportedly said during the interview. However, at the time, he attributed the delayed payment to financial sanctions imposed on Russia.

For the May 7, 2022, fight, Canelo Alvarez reportedly earned around $40 million. Bivol’s guaranteed purse was approximately $2 million, plus a share of the pay-per-view revenue.

Bernstein’s claims, if true, raise larger questions about the state of modern boxing. Is this another example of deep-rooted issues in the sport? Does this case highlight the lack of protection for fighters when it comes to payments and contractual obligations?