Dmitry Bivol returns to action on the Dereck Chisora vs. Joseph Parker undercard on Saturday, airing live on DAZN worldwide except the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Samoa and China, and the defending WBA light-heavyweight champion hopes a successful outing on the card against challenger Craig Richards could launch him into position for a superfight over the next 12 months.
Russia's Bivol is the strong favourite against Richards, but will have his work cut out against a stubborn opponent who has fought in the pandemic era unlike the champ.
Nonetheless, Bivol is aware that a winning return to the ring would begin potential conversations regarding unification at 175lbs against compatriot and fellow undefeated fighter Artur Beterbiev, who holds the IBF and WBC titles. It could also put him in position to challenge pound-for-pound king Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez if he has completed his goal of becoming undisputed super-middleweight champion by September.
"Of course I would like to fight him at light heavyweight or super middleweight because I want to fight the best guys, and he is one of the best," Bivol told Sky Sports about Canelo
"He has his own legacy. He is a man like me, with good sides and bad sides. When I go to the ring I believe only in my victory."
Beterbiev, meanwhile, has also been linked with a titles-for-title bout with WBO light-heavy titleholder Joe Smith Jr., meaning both divisions could be on course for full unification.
"He has a belt. I think about fighting him or the other guys with a belt," Bivol said.
"I understand that he works with Top Rank and they have a plan for him. But I would like to fight. My first goal is to be undisputed champion. To have four belts and to have a legacy. I want to be the best light heavyweight so I need to have all four belts."
Bivol vs. Richards, on the undercard of Chisora vs. Parker, takes place on Saturday May 1, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN almost everywhere else across the globe.
Canelo, meanwhile, faces Billy Joe Saunders in a huge super-middleweight unification bout one week later on May 8, which airs on DAZN everywhere except Mexico.