Don King Believes Canelo Alvarez Should Not Fight Dmitry Bivol In Protest Of Russian Invasion

Don King is not a fan of Canelo Alvarez fighting Dmitry Bivol.

Alvarez will look to win Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title when they clash on Cinco de Mayo weekend on May 7 in Las Vegas.

There were initially doubts as to whether Bivol would be able to compete as many Russian athletes were barred from getting visas due to Russia’s ongoing invasion in Ukraine.

However, Bivol is all clear to fight and King believes the worst thing Alvarez can do to himself is fight the Russian — especially during Cinco de Mayo.

“It is the worst thing that Canelo can do to himself, because Canelo comes from Mexico and on May 5, when Canelo plans to fight, Mexico was fighting for his freedom,” King said in a recent interview (via Boxing Scene). “How can you celebrate freedom on May 5? How can you fight on May 7 and condemn the attacks on freedom? You can’t do that.

“It is the worst thing he can do because Canelo can take the $35 million from the fight, but the reality is that he is hurting himself. He fights for Mexico, he fights for Pancho Villa, for Emiliano Zapata, for those who fought for freedom. He cannot say with one hand that he fights for freedom and with the other you cash the check.”

Former heavyweight champion and Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko has also stated his belief that athletes like Bivol should be sanctioned.

For his part, Bivol has stated that he wanted the war to end as he had friends in Ukraine.

What do you make of Don King’s comments? Do you believe Canelo Alvarez should not be fighting Bivol?