“Didn’t Look Like Canelo Was In A Fight”: Sparring Partner Gives Harsh Reality Check To Dmitry Bivol About Canelo Alvarez Fight While Warning Him Of Artur Beterbiev 

Who does not fear the power of Dmitry Bivol, the orthodox fighter who gave Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez his career’s second loss? Artur Beterbiev who can fight Bivol at some point this year needs to be mindful of what is stacked against him. However, Lonnie B, who once sparred with Beterbiev, calls him a “monster” that Bivol needs to steer clear of.

Bivol has confirmed his readiness to face off against IBF/WBC/WBO champion Beterbiev in a Saudi clash this year. After more than a year-long inactivity in the ring, Bivol marked his return to boxing in December. He defeated Lyndon Arthur in a Riyadh fight. His next agenda? The undisputed title of the super light heavy division. For that, he needs to defeat Beterbiev, who is slated to defend his titles against Callum Smith over the weekend. Bivol remains confident of doing that. However, Lonnie invokes history to argue otherwise.

Canelo Alvarez is your case study, Artur Beterbiev!

In a conversation with Ron Goodall of FightHype, Lionell Thompson aka Lonnie B brought in the iconic Canelo Alvarez fight that Bivol undertook in 2022. Lonnie noted, “Look at when he fought Canelo. He just whooped Canelo, if you look at Canelo’s face, it don’t look like Canelo was in a fight when he’s fighting a light heavyweight when he’s really a 54-pounder.”

At the iconic T-Mobile Arena that night, a prime Alvarez, who previously fought in the super middleweight division, went up the weights to challenge Bivol’s WBA Super Light Heavy title. Despite his noticeable efforts to stop Bivol, Canelo lost via UD. “Bivol was scared to step it up and go for the knockout. He played this safe and like I’m just going to win with somebody that’s too small. And that’s really a 54-pounder. He played this safe.” If Bivol was much more adept than Canelo, then why did he not finish the fight prematurely through a knockout?

Now, bursting the bubble of many who think Bivol is undefeatable, Lonnie suggests that if Canelo, a fighter who was lighter than the Russian fighter could give him a tough fight, then what about a monster like Beterbiev? “And that’s really a 54-pounder. He played this safe. Imagine him with a real-life monster in front of him that can crack. imagine when he gets hit by him, how are you going to feel?”

Also Read: “He’s Not Invincible”: Unfazed by His Terrifying Power, Callum Smith Vows to “Hurt” Artur Beterbiev

For Bivol, the Beterbiev fight is imminent. This is his one chance at becoming undisputed. While he’s gone all in for the clash, Beterbiev on the other hand is yet to do his part.

What’s the status of Dmitry Bivol vs. Beterbiev?

ESPN’s Dan Rafael has reported that Bivol has signed the contract, strengthening his goal to fight Beterbiev. The latter on the other hand has not shown much enthusiasm in signing the papers. His potential reluctance comes in the light of many voicing their concern given his age (38), and an inkling of a slow progression. Furthermore, his fight against Callum Smith will determine if Bivol’s opponent for the undisputed clash will be Beterbiev or ‘Mundo.’

On the 13th of January, when Beterbiev clashes with Smith, the next opponent for Bivol will emerge. Who do you think it would be? Undefeated Beterbiev, who’s had all his 19 victories through KOs. or Smith who comes with an experience of 30 fights in his corner? Let us know in the comments section below.

Watch This Story: Terence Crawford, David Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol Rematch, and Other Potential Opponents for Canelo Alvarez