Canelo: I know I'm gonna beat Bivol in the rematch

Out with the old rivalry and in with the new one for Canelo Alvarez.

But this time, the Mexican superstar is the underdog.

Last May, Alvarez was dominated by WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol in a unanimous decision loss at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Although the judges gave the four-division champion five rounds apiece, most ringside observers had Alvarez winning three rounds at the most.

Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs), 32, refused to lay in the flat and returned to the ring four months later to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship against long-hated rival, Gennadiy Golovkin. Unlike their first two fights, the trilogy was rather subdued, with Alvarez winning a clear unanimous decision. Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), meanwhile, blanked Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez in their 175-pound title bout in November in Abu Dhabi.

However, Alvarez has yet to trigger his contractual right to an immediate rematch against Bivol. He underwent surgery on his left wrist in October and is expected to face John Ryder in May, on Mexican soil, in a voluntary defense of his undisputed 168-pound titles. Once Ryder is out of the way, Alvarez will likely move to face Bivol again in the fall. Despite the outcome of the first fight, he has been consistent in his belief that he will win the sequel.

“It’s very important for my legacy (to avenge the loss) — for my pride, for my country, for my family, for everything. It’s very important. I will beat him,” he said of Bivol following his win over Golovkin.

Alvarez reiterated that claim to ESNEWS.

“I know I’m gonna beat him in the rematch.”