EXCLUSIVE | Dmitry Bivol’s long-awaited trilogy with Canelo Alvarez is open for the first quarter of 2026, according to the Russian’s manager Vadim Kornilov, who spoke exclusively to World Boxing News.
Bivol, who outpointed Canelo in 2022 and holds ties to a Riyadh Season return, is currently recovering from injury. While some feared the layoff could end a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev, Kornilov assured WBN all options remain on the table.
The rematch with Alvarez is already in question after Bivol won the first bout. Kornilov insists that the former undisputed light heavyweight champion will agree to fight Canelo again at any time in the future, including before Beterbiev.
“I am not sure if Canelo actually wants the fight,” Kornilov told WBN. “We heard many times that he does want to avenge his loss, but if everything goes well with rehab, Bivol should be ready to fight in the first quarter of next year.”
No Tune-Ups | Straight to Canelo
Despite being sidelined, Kornilov confirmed Bivol will not take it easy on his return.
“We do not plan to have a warm-up fight,” Kornilov stated.
That decision means the door remains ajar for Canelo, provided the Mexican superstar signs off after beating Terence Crawford.
With Bivol’s return timeline set, the ball may now be in Canelo’s court. Rumors have persisted that the fight is already penciled into his Riyadh Season contract, though Kornilov stopped short of confirming whether Alvarez has fully committed.
Beterbiev or Benavidez
For now, the narrative remains the same: Dmitry Bivol wants the Canelo rematch and Beterbiev trilogy, with Kornilov pushing the Mexican star for early 2026, knowing Beterbiev and David Benavidez could be on a collision course.
The pair share a bill on November 22, and Kornilov believes a fight is part of Turki Alalshikh’s plan.
“There are discussions of building up the third fight for the worldwide fans. We are open to fighting Benavidez or Beterbiev next year. We are not currently discussing a warm-up battle unless Dmitry’s recovery doesn’t go as planned.
“I have heard that there are already plans for the winners of the event in November to meet each other, possibly, and for the winner to fight Bivol,” Kornilov admitted to WBN.
“This seems very strategic in my opinion because it only builds up the attention of the fans to all of these fights.”
Canelo Alvarez must decide if he genuinely wants to settle the score, as Bivol has a short window of opportunity before he faces the winner of Beterbiev vs Benavidez in the second half of 2026.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.