The Mexican Saúl
Canelo
Álvarez, considered the best boxer of the moment, warned after falling by unanimous decision against the Russian Dmitry Bivol that he will seek a rematch.
"Of course I do want a rematch, it doesn't stay that way
," said Álvarez, who was unable to snatch the World Boxing Association light heavyweight title from Bivol, according to the Efe news agency.
The defeat against the Russian meant the second in the career for
Canelo
, who lost for the first time in 2013 against the American Floyd Mayweather Jr.
[Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez defeats Caleb Plant in Las Vegas and is crowned the champion in the super middleweight category]
“I had to lose, I'm not going to make excuses.
I felt I did enough to win, but that's boxing,
he had to win and we have to accept it”
, said the Mexican, who now holds a record of 57 wins, 39 by knockout, two draws and two losses.
Canelo Álvarez, left, throws a punch against Dmitry Bivol, during a light heavyweight title fight, Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Las Vegas. John Locher / AP
Álvarez, undisputed super middleweight champion, recognized Bivol's technique, who remains undefeated with a record of 20 wins, 11 on the fast track.
“Bivol is a good fighter, he goes in and out, I felt his weight a lot, you can't hit him that easily;
It was a great fight”
, added the native of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Canelo
accepted that moving up from super middleweight (168 pounds) to light heavyweight (175 pounds) cost him, but it was not the cause of the loss to the Russian.
“Obviously I felt the weight, but it was no excuse.
Bivol is a great fighter, is what he is.
He wins and loses, it's a sport and you have to accept it”
, he reiterated.
Women's boxing match makes history at New York's Madison Square Garden
May 2, 202201:18
Bivol responded humbly.
“I only defeated a rival who wanted my belt;
I don't feel like a king, I was just better tonight
," Bivol said at a press conference in Las Vegas, where he won a unanimous vote over Álvarez, with three cards in his favor, 115-113.
The Russian walked into the ring first, to boos, and allowed his challenger a grand entrance set to mariachi music and fireworks.
Using height and reach to his advantage, Bivol continuously pummeled Alvarez throughout the fight to retain his title via unanimous decision at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Five men involved in the death of boxer Héctor 'El Macho' Camacho are arrested
March 10, 202201:21
"I know that people love
Canelo
," he said, "of course people were on his side, but for me there was no problem with that."
Álvarez's future is uncertain as after facing Bivol he had plans to challenge Kazakh Gennady Golovkin in September.
However, he could force a rematch with Bivol, who also showed interest in facing the Mexican again.
With information from Efe and AP.
