-Yarde (fight was 2 months ago) -Smith Jr. (retired) -Browne (retired) -Deines (got right back in the saddle) -Gvozdyk (took a 4 year layoff) That's an ass whoopin. Ain't no pity pat decisions on his record. In case anybody is wondering why Bivol has no intentions of reminding Eddie Hearn of who the client is in their relationship.
Beterbiev is an exciting fighter and an excellent champion. I really hope the stars align and we get Bivol vs Beterbiev for all the marbles. I know there's money for bivol in a canelo rematch, but does anyone really want to see that fight again?
Canelo has no choice tbh....his credibility drops if he avoids Bivol The result will be the same no matter what though
TBH I want to see it run back. Canelo has shown he can make significant adjustments a la GGG 1/2. Curious to see a 2nd fight
The most likely outcome, IMO, is that Bivol both makes adjustments, and is less cautious in any rematch. Canelo might fare worse in a rematch.
Have they announced their retirements or just not fought since? The line is blurred if they are inactive for say 2 or 3 years but we're only about 15 months removed from the Browne fight. So far Beterbiev has retired three opponents from boxing, notably former champ Cloud and prime Gvozdyk. Bivol has been a LHW titlist since 2017 but has been chasing Canelo since at least 2018: https://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/11/dmitry-bivol-wants-canelo-if-he-beats-fielding/ It's 2023 now and he's still chasing Canelo. But who cares, all he's done in his career is school the 2nd tier and a blown-up middleweight.
They were all nice fighters. I would have loved to see this guy mix it up with the likes of Adonis Stevenson to really know for sure, too bad they just missed each other
Stevenson v Beterbiev fight could still be made. Give Stevenson a tune-up or two, obviously. But he can come back if he believes in himself. I think Beterbiev stops him though.
If the Ryder fight doesn't restore Canelo's confidence I think he'll swerve the Bivol rematch. The common denominator here is Gvzodyk.