Dmitry Bivol admits his main goal is to become undisputed light heavyweight champion, rather than a rematch with Canelo Alvarez.
Bivol rose to stardom after inflicting only a second professional defeat on Canelo in May with a dominant points win to retain his WBA light heavyweight world title.
Canelo had a rematch clause, but opted to face Gennady Golovkin in a trilogy in September, which he won by unanimous decision.
Alvarez, who is currently sidelined with a wrist injury, is expected to be a keen observer when Bivol takes on mandatory challenger, Gilberto Ramirez in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Despite a rematch with the Mexican undoubtedly the Russian’s most lucrative option, he insists he is chasing the belts, with Artur Beterbiev in control of the remaining WBC, IBF and WBO crowns.
“It’s a business,” Bivol told Fight Hub TV.
“I have my goal. I want to move forward.
“I said it before I don’t have too much time in my career.
“32-years-old soon and I want to move forward as much as I can.
“But it could happen [a rematch against Canelo]. It’s not the baddest option if I fight Canelo again, but my priority is for another belt.
“Money is good, but legacy I think is better.
“I love money too. Everyone’s loves money, but money is not the main thing what I’m thinking about, when I came to boxing.
“When I box, I want to make history. If I thought about money, I would never be here.”
Beterbiev will first defend his world titles against Anthony Yarde on January 28, although the Londoner must beat Stefani Koykov later this month to secure a second world title shot.
Ramirez, a former super middleweight world champion, is undefeated in 44 fights and Bivol admits he is relishing the prospect of testing his skillset against the Mexican.
“I think in the fight we will change strategy,” he said.
“I think [a] fight it’s not from the first to the 12th round on the same strategy.
“I think sometimes I’ll move forward, sometimes me may move forward.
“But I’m really looking forward to this fight.
“I want to try my skills against Zurdo.
“It’s interesting for me.
“It’s not just [to] beat him, I’m excited to see his skills in the ring.”
