You guys need to go on over to Sports Illustrated and read Mannix's column about why the fight is difficult to make this year. Summary:
-Timing: Bivol wanted to do it this spring, so he could face Canelo in September. But Beterbiev is a ****** and choses to observe Ramadan. Bivol wants Beterbiev, but it doesn't sound like he's willing to give up the Canelo rematch entirely in exchange for the undisputed.
-Money: The money isn't there to do it in the USA or Canada. Can't do a unification in Russia right now. They would probably need a middle-eastern country to foot the bill. But it's hard to see that happening when Top Rank is firm the fight must be on ESPN, but the relationship with the Saudis is Hearn who will definitely want it on DAZN.
It sounds like the fight isn't happening. Not this year.
-Timing: Bivol wanted to do it this spring, so he could face Canelo in September. But Beterbiev is a ****** and choses to observe Ramadan. Bivol wants Beterbiev, but it doesn't sound like he's willing to give up the Canelo rematch entirely in exchange for the undisputed.
-Money: The money isn't there to do it in the USA or Canada. Can't do a unification in Russia right now. They would probably need a middle-eastern country to foot the bill. But it's hard to see that happening when Top Rank is firm the fight must be on ESPN, but the relationship with the Saudis is Hearn who will definitely want it on DAZN.
It sounds like the fight isn't happening. Not this year.
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