Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to step up to light heavyweight to fight Dmitry Bivol

Undisputed world super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will step up to light-heavyweight to fight WBA champion Dmitry Bivol on 7 May.

Alvarez, 31, is rated as the world’s leading pound-for-pound male boxer.

His most recent bout was November’s win over American Caleb Plant, becoming the first man to hold the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO super-middleweight crowns.

On facing Russia’s Bivol in Las Vegas, Alvarez said: “It is another great challenge for me and my career.

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Bivol, also 31, is undefeated in his 19 professional bouts, with 11 of the victories coming by knockout.

He has held the WBA light-heavyweight title since 2016, defending the belt 10 times.

Now he will face Mexico’s Alvarez in the first of a multi-fight deal with Matchroom and DAZN, with the second set for September.

“I always only wanted to fight the best.

I believe that the rest of my goals will begin to materialise on 7 May,” said Bivol.

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn said the multi-fight deal with Alvarez was “an absolute honour”.

“Canelo transcends boxing and is the biggest star in the sport,” said Hearn.

 
 
 
 
 
BBC/Emmanuel Ukoh
 
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to step up to light heavyweight to fight Dmitry Bivol

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