Canelo Alvarez beat Gennady Golovkin again despite a persistent hand injury
(Picture: Getty Images)Canelo Alvarez has reiterated his desire to avenge the shock defeat by Dmitry Bivol after finally settling his long-running feud with Gennady Golovkin, but will first require surgery.
The Mexican delivered a masterful display in Las Vegas on Saturday night to decisively turn the page on one of modern boxing’s most high-profile rivalries, retaining his undisputed super-middleweight world titles in the process.
It was also the perfect response to the surprise events that transpired in May, when Canelo’s second venture up into the light-heavyweight division saw him handed only his second professional loss by long-time WBA champion Bivol.
Canelo has remained adamant that he wants to rematch the Russian despite the comprehensive nature of his first defeat since being bested by the great Floyd Mayweather all the way back in 2013, but first Bivol must come through his latest defence against Canelo’s compatriot Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Abu Dhabi on November 5.
Canelo also confirmed that he now needs to rest after such a typically busy schedule in 2022 and will require surgery on a worsening left hand injury that has plagued him since beating Caleb Plant last November to become the first undisputed king of boxing’s 168lbs division.
“It’s very important for my legacy,” Canelo said when asked about rematching Bivol following his unanimous decision win over Golovkin.
“For me, I am proud. For my country, for my family, for my everything. It’s very important. I will beat him.”
On his injury, he said: “‘I need surgery on my hand after this. On my left hand. But I’m good, I’m a warrior and that is why I’m here.
“[It bothered me] a lot. I can’t hold a glass. It is really bad. But I am a warrior.”
