I'm not convinced beating Bivol means that much. Who has Bivol beaten that's ATG? It's a good win and has far more weight than beating a shot alcoholic Kovalev. It doesn't however suddenly move him in the say top 50 all time because you are going against some fighters with a lot more fights in a less diluted era's. Even if he cleared Light Heavy out I think he would struggle to still crack top 50 imo.
He has been in Spence’s eyes as a target for a long time like Hagler was in Leonard’s. If both guys are at the top it could happen even at catchweight. Also Canelo is no light heavyweight and Spence normally spars much bigger guys anyway. I can see this fight happening at 160-164 pounds maybe 168 pounds all of which Spence will be more than comfortable at. He struggles to make 147 pounds but is going to do it one more time to tax Crawford’s ass.
I don't think Canelo wants anything to do with Beterbiev or Smith, they possess A level power at light heavyweight and though I think he's juiced Canelo can't get in a slugging match with either one.
There's loads of fighters I thought Canelo wouldn't want anything to do with and he proved me wrong every single time.