Canelo Alvarez’s next steps: Could boxing’s biggest star avenge his loss to Dmitry Bivol?

Canelo Alvarez wasn’t shy about calling out light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol after Saturday’s title defense against 168-pound challenger, John Ryder.

“Everyone knows we want Bivol,” Alvarez said in the ring after his unanimous decision over Ryder on Saturday in his native Guadalajara. “If the fight with Bivol doesn’t go ahead, we’ll see.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn previously said Alvarez could take on David Benavidez in super middleweight, where the undefeated American recently defended his WBC interim title against Caleb Plant.

But Canelo is clearly more focused on Bivol and looks forward to September 16 – Mexican Independence Day – for a rematch with the undefeated Russian (20-0, 11 KOs).

The catch? Boxing’s biggest superstar wants to fight again at 175 pounds, where the Bivol easily defeated Alvarez a year ago: “Yeah, same rules, same conditions, same everything.”

Canelo celebrates his victory on Saturday by kissing his wife Fernanda Gomez (right).

Canelo will face David Benavidez (left), who beats Caleb Plant

While Alvarez would probably have a better shot at super middleweight, there is some logic to his desire to fight for 175 pounds.

He’s more interested in putting Bivol’s lightweight crowns on the line than his own string of 168-pound titles.

“I want the same terms, everything the same as the last fight,” Canelo said ESPN on Thursday.

“I think I’m better than him — that’s all,” he said. “If you see the first five rounds, six rounds, I’m dominating the fight. But then of course I get tired, because I don’t train 100 percent.’

But while Alvarez wants to fight Bivol again at 175, the Russian doesn’t seem interested in defending his light heavyweight title. Instead, he wants to fight for Alvarez’s 168-pound titles.

Dmitry Bivol (L) throws left to Canelo Alvarez in the fifth round of their 2022 match

“Why would I even do the retake at 175?” he asked ESPN. “What is the challenge or what is the motivation for me if I have already beaten him in that weight class?

“And I don’t think we should worry about who thinks what. It’s really about what we want, what each of us wants. And I think he wants to win, and if he can win, he might have a better shot at 168 because he said that’s his weight class. And for me there has to be a certain motivation and a certain challenge.’

Alvarez has been battling a left wrist injury since knocking out Caleb Plant in 2021. He has since had surgery, giving Alvarez the confidence that he can beat Bivol at light heavyweight.

When asked about his pulse after Saturday’s fight, Alvarez said it felt “really good,” adding, “I’m ready for anything.”