Dmitry Bivol could defend his WBA light-heavyweight title against John Ryder. Eddie Hearn, the man directing the careers of both fighters, has stated that the Russian champion could face Ryder next after failing to secure a contest with Canelo Alvarez.
Ryder, who faced Callum Smith for 168lbs world glory at the backend of 2018, is desperate to test himself at the highest level against and had been in line to face Cuba’s David Morrell for the WBA regular belt at super-middleweight. Hearn is considering taking the Islington man down a different route.
“I might put him [Bivol] in with John Ryder,” said Hearn when speaking to BoxingScene. “He [Ryder] wants it. He is a super-middleweight but is meant to fight Morrell for the world title, but that’s a tough fight, so why not fight Bivol? I think a lot of people feel Bivol is beatable right now, although he is still unbeaten.”
The victor in a potential showdown between Bivol and Ryder will likely face Joshua Buatsi in the first quarter of 2022. Hearn has previously mentioned a fight at London’s O2 Arena for Buatsi and Bivol, but will Ryder be able to spoil those plans? Hearn is currently busy preparing the nest steps for his fighters at 175lbs.
“I think we are going to box Bivol in October and Josh will box in November or December, probably in America,” Hearn said. “After that, a world title fight in March – it’s the perfect O2 Arena fight, isn’t it? One thing for sure, if you win a world title in this division you have earned it. Beterbiev, Bivol and Joe Smith Jr - there are no poor champions.”