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By Sean Jones: Eddie Hearn says Canelo Alvarez is in negotiations for a third fight in December against WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu or WBA 168-lb mandatory John Ryder.
Earlier on Friday, Matchroom Boxing revealed that Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) had signed a two-fight deal with them and DAZN to face WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol on May 7th on pay-per-view. That’s a tough fight for Canelo, and he very well could lose by being outworked by the Russian fighter.
The second opponent for Canelo’s two-fight deal is Gennadiy Golovkin for September 17th. For the Golovkin fight to happen, he must beat WBA 160-lb champion Ryota Murata in April, and Canelo will need to defeat Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) in May.
The PPV price for the Canelo vs. Bivol fight is as follows:
- $59.99 for current DAZN subscribers
- $79.99 for new subscribers
If the 34-year-old Makabu gets picked, it would be a legacy move for Canelo to try and capture his fifth division world title to bolster his credentials superficially.
On paper, Canelo-Makabu would be a terrible fight, but not much worse than the mediocre 168-lb champions Canelo has been feasting on for the last four years.
In the last four years, Canelo has beaten a bunch of British fighters, who were completely unknown to the casual boxing fans in the U.S, and not even popular in their own countries.
Makabu & Ryder options for Canelo’s December fight
“I am absolutely delighted to announce a two-fight deal with the pound-for-pound king of boxing, Canelo Alvarez, Eddy Reynoso, Matchroom Boxing, and DAZN,” said Eddie Hearn to iFL TV on Friday.
“We’re back together and ready to go on May 7th against Dmitry Bivol,” said Hearn. “Of course, we know Gennadiy Golovkin in September, should everybody win their upcoming fights.
“A third fight being discussed with Canelo and Eddy Reynoso in December. So I’m absolutely delighted. Our man got the king of boxing, the pound-for-pound #1. Canelo and Matchroom are back together.
“Two fights confirmed and signed and already looking at a third fight with Eddy Reynoso in December. But obviously, all eyes are on Dmitry Bivol next, the light heavyweight championship of the world.
“That’s going to take place on May 7th. There’s going to be a press conference that’s going to be taking place in San Diego on Wednesday to confirm the venue and all other information around it.
“Obviously, the Gennadiy Golovkin in September, the trilogy for the undisputed super middleweight championship of the world. Canelo has to take care of business against Dmitry Bivol. Golovkin has got to take care of Murata. We’ve got two mega-fights, and I can’t wait.
“The third fight [for Canelo in 2022], we’re talking about Makabu and John Ryder will be the mandatory. That’ll be a fight in London as well.
John Ryder recently defeated Daniel Jacobs by a 12 round split decision on February 12thin a WBA 168-lb title eliminator. That eliminator was for the WBA ‘regular’ title that David Morrell Jr. holds. It’s unclear why Canelo would want to waste time fighting Ryder because he doesn’t have to.
Canelo & Golovkin must win next fights
“Obviously, the fight we all want is the undisputed trilogy against Gennady Golovkin,” said Hearn.
“Both guys have got to take care of business. I’m sure they will and we get another mega-fight in September. Everybody wants to sign the pound-for-pound king of boxing,” said Hearn when asked what the sticking point for the negotiations with Canelo was for the two-fight deal.
“Obviously, everyone made an approach; everyone presented opportunities. He wants to go through those. I always felt that our relationship with Canelo Alvarez was the best of all the relationships that he has or has had.
“It doesn’t mean that he’s going to go with your option if it doesn’t make sense for his career. Clearly, he and Eddy Reynoso believe that the route that we mapped out is a route that they prefer.
“I believe they want to work with us. It’s been an incredible partnership. This will be our fourth and fifth fight with Canelo Alvarez, and hopefully, he’ll be with us for the rest of his career.
“We’re going to do a great job with him. “We’re going to bring the U.S fight fans, the worldwide fight fans, an incredible night of boxing on May 7th on DAZN, again in September and hopefully in December as well.
“For me personally, it’s the ultimate honor to have someone like Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso believe in me and choose me as the guy to take their career forward.
“It’s a blessing and an honor. We’re going to deliver for them and give the fight an incredible year with Canelo Alvarez. There were a lot of deals presented, but clearly, that was a great deal as well,” said Hearn.
Canelo vs. Bivol announcement this Wednesday
“Financially, they were both big offers, much bigger than what was reported initially,” said Hearn. “Really, there’s one eye on becoming undisputed at 175, there’s the trilogy fight with Golovkin, which is the biggest fight in boxing.
“So, yeah, we got the pick, and I couldn’t be happier. We’ll announce it on Wednesday. We’re speaking to various venues at the moment.
“There will be an official announcement, tickets, venue, everything. But May 7th will be the date. Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol for the WBA light heavyweight championship of the world.
“I’ll keep it corporate, but I’m absolutely f**** buzzing, to be honest with you,” Hearn said about Canelo signing a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing and DAZN.
“We represent AJ, who people argue is the best heavyweight in the world. Scrap that, the biggest star in British boxing and #1 or #2 in world boxing in Anthony Joshua. Now we represent the pound-for-pound king of boxing, Canelo Alvarez.
“So obviously, for me, the business, for Matchroom, for DAZN, it’s a huge day for us, but we don’t take anything for granted. We’re going to do an unbelievable job putting on incredible events and great fights as well.
“As a fight fan, to be around and work around people like Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso is unbelievable. Yeah, it’s a massive day for all of us,” said Hearn.
We already know that Canelo vs. Bivol will likely be staged at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It would be a breath of fresh air if Canelo chose to stage the fight in New York rather than Las Vegas.
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