Dmitry Bivol believes Terence Crawford has what it takes to climb up three weight classes amid speculation over a future fight with Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford, who is ranked as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter by Ring Magazine, has warmed to the idea of a showdown with Canelo after the Mexican signed a three-fight deal with PBC (Premier Boxing Champions).

Bivol was named 2022 Fighter of the Year after his victory over Alvarez in May 2022 and after spending much of 2023 chasing a rematch, it appears that a clash with Crawford appears more likely, for now.

That would require 147-pound Crawford to climb three weight classes to go head-to-head with Alvarez.

Whilst the jump seems to be a steep one, WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol believes Crawford is well equipped to take on the challenge.

“When I stepped into a boxing gym, the first rule was to respect weight classes but I don’t know what [Crawford is] going to eat,” Bivol told Boxing Scene.

“He’s the best fighter. Everything that he’s planning, shouldn’t look like it’s crazy. If he’s thinking about it, if he’s talking about it, it means it’s possible.”

Bivol has been unable to capitalise on the momentum shift following his win over Alvarez.

The 33-year-old fought just once in 2023 – a unanimous win over Lyndon Arthur in Saudi Arabia last month.

Bivol is aiming to become undisputed light heavyweight champion with a bout against WBC, WBO, and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev in the works following his destruction of Callum Smith earlier this month.

Dmitry Bivol stands as a universally acknowledged force in the realm of boxing, consistently recognized among the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters.

Despite his own acclaim, the WBA light heavyweight titleholder firmly asserts that the distinction of the world’s best boxer rests with Terence “Bud” Crawford.

In 2022, Bivol secured the coveted Fighter of the Year award, achieving this feat through impressive victories over Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez.

However, his momentum waned in 2023, with only one bout, a unanimous decision win against Lyndon Arthur on December 23.

The first half of the year saw Bivol avidly pursuing a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, a pursuit that proved futile as Alvarez entered into a three-fight deal with PBC. Notably, the possibility of Crawford facing Alvarez began circulating as a potential matchup, gaining traction as both fighters expressed openness to the idea.

Bivol believes Crawford deserves Canelo fight

While Alvarez and Crawford contemplate the prospect of a clash, the logistical challenge arises, as it would necessitate Crawford, a 147-pounder, to ascend three weight classes to challenge Alvarez.

Despite the unconventional nature of this move, Bivol, reflecting on his own boxing journey, acknowledges Crawford‘s ambition without deeming it implausible.

“When I stepped into a boxing gym, the first rule was to respect weight classes,” Bivol told BoxingScene.com.

“But I don’t know what Crawford is going to eat. He’s the best fighter. Everything that he’s planning, shouldn’t look like it’s crazy.

“If he’s thinking about it, if he’s talking about it, it means it’s possible.”

As Bivol looks ahead to his own future, his primary focus centers on securing an opportunity to vie for the undisputed championship at 175 pounds.

Following his commanding victory over Lyndon Arthur, all indications point towards the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia financing Bivol‘s next bout against WBC, WBO, and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev.

Dmitry Bivol desperately needed a fight. The 2023 calendar was just about over with and the WBA titleholder didn’t have anything planned.

As the months went by, it appeared more and more likely that Bivol would remain on the shelf. But, seemingly out of nowhere, he was given an arbitrary phone call, telling him to get himself ready by December.

There was no time to question things, Bivol simply knew that he was being thrown into the ring with Lyndon Arthur. In short order, Bivol, who remains in the gym at all times, got himself in fighting shape and proceeded to hand Arthur a beatdown. Once his hand was raised in victory, the 33-year-old was also given the IBO title.

Although it’s viewed as a secondary trinket, Bivol needed to add something to his lonely WBA belt. Now, with Arthur out of the way, Bivol can move on to more pressing matters.

Artur Beterbiev currently holds the WBC, IBF, and WBO titles. For countless years, both have barked at one another, hoping and praying for an undisputed clash. Before anything becomes solidified, Beterbiev has to knock Callum Smith’s head into the third row on January 13th.

Bivol won’t make the trip to Quebec but he fully plans on watching from his palatial estate at home. Picking a winner isn’t an easy task for him. But also, it’s irrelevant. To Bivol, he couldn’t care less who actually picks up the victory. The sole focus is primarily on the titles.

To a certain extent, Bivol looks at the sport of boxing like a game. We’ve all picked up a remote controller and engaged in countless hours of mindless gaming. Once you’ve mastered it, you eventually reach the end. For Bivol, that’s how he envisions a victory over Beterbiev. Simply put, once every world title is sitting safely on his championship mantle, there will be nothing left to do.

“If I get all the belts, mission is done,” Bivol told Matchroom Boxing. “I achieved what I wanted.”