Eddie Hearn believes there is a distinct possibility that Canelo Alvarez’s desire for a Dmitry Bivol rematch may take longer than expected.

Bivol, the WBA light heavyweight champion, was recently ordered by the sanctioning body to fight mandatory challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.

However, Hearn, who co-promotes Bivol, has been trying to get the Russian titlist to face one of his other fighters, British contender Joshua Buatsi. Hearn said he intends to turn in an exemption with the WBA to allow for Bivol to face Buatsi first. Hearn obviously prefers this choice since he does not handle Ramirez. A former titlist at 168, Ramirez is promoted by Golden Boy. Both Hearn and Golden Boy have separate output deals with DAZN, the streaming platform. 

Yet Hearn understands that the exemption, if successful, will not change the fact that the owner of the 175-pound WBA title needs to square off with Ramirez at some point. In Bivol’s case, a victory over Buatsi would have to lead into a fight with Ramirez, meaning his rematch with Alvarez may not take place in the spring of 2023 as has been discussed.

Alvarez, who lost to Bivol by unanimous decision in May in a light heavyweight title fight, has repeatedly told the press that his priority is for a Bivol rematch.

But for that second go-around to materialize, not only would Alvarez likely have to come out victorious against Gennadiy Golovkin in their trilogy bout in September, but Bivol may have to pick up a pair of wins.

“The fact is to fight Canelo Alvarez, Bivol may have to get through Buatsi and Zurdo to get the Canelo fight or … Zurdo, then Buatsi,” Hearn said on The DAZN Boxing Show. “That fight isn’t definite because you can’t just wait until May. It’s impossible.

"So there’s always risk in those fights. So hopefully Canelo Alvarez and Triple G have a tremendous fight in September and if Canelo wins he will look forward to that rematch but Bivol is gonna be fighting too. Also don’t forget Bivol wants the [Artur] Beterbiev fight.”

Hearn is especially eager for Buatsi to get the nod against Bivol, as the promoter believes the Londoner has peaked at the contender level.

“Buatsi has beaten really everybody there is to beat,” Hearn said. “It’s time for him to challenge for a world title.”

“If we did get the Bivol fight with Buatsi approved, the winner would have to fight Zurdo anyway,” Hearn added. “Obviously there’s the Canelo Alvarez fight that’s waiting in the wings. There’s a bit of a logjam. I’m sure it’ll all play out.”