Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), is fully back the decision by everyone involved to move forward with the planned showdown between Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol of Russia.

The clash between Canelo and Bivol will take place on May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

There were some calls to cancel the fight, because Bivol is from Russia and his home country is currently invading the neighboring country of Ukraine.

Sulaimán, who announced on March 1 that the WBC would not sanction fights involving Russian and Belarusian boxers, is now stating that athletes should not be punished over the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

"It would be a shame to try to cross out or place a label on the fight between Canelo and Bivol; I'm glad that this fight is taking place and when they are in that ring, they can show that boxing is far above politics," Sulaiman said.

"It is a sensitive issue because of what is happening, but we have also said that the boxers are not to blame for anything. I am happy that this fight is taking place. [The fight] has nothing to do with the conflict."

Canelo, who is currently the undisputed world champion at 168-pounds, has a record of 57 wins, 39 on the fast track, one loss and two draws; while the undefeated champion Bivol is unbeaten in 19 fights.

The sanctioning body president did not want to react to the request that came from former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who asked the WBA a couple of weeks ago to cancel the fight between Canelo and Bivol.

"I don't want to get into an unnecessary conflict. We are praying every day for peace and sport is also a way of praying for peace. We hope that a solution will come soon to put an end to this," Sulaiman said.