For months, the boxing fandom had their speculations and theories regarding the future of Canelo Alvarez, who became the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. And now, word is out that the Mexican maestro is edging closer to signing a two fight deal with DAZN, which will see him face WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol on May 7th, followed by a much-awaited trilogy fight with unified middleweight champ and Canelo’s former arch-rival, Gennadiy Golovkin on 17th September which will reportedly take place at 168.
Canelo jumping to 175 to take on WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol
Soon after defeating Caleb Plant for the undisputed championship, there were talks that Canelo had wished to move up the divisions and challenge WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KOs), and the appeal was made by Reynoso. Soon after, there was confirmation that Council had thumbed up the request, as well as former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk wanting to trade blows with Canelo.
The report about Canelo’s forthcoming deal with DAZN and the Bivol and GGG fights was made by Mike Coppinger of ESPN, who reported that the contract is “worth upward of $85 million” and the four-belt champion at 168 will be making a return to 175 to take on Dmitry Bivol, followed by a trilogy showdown against GGG.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport himself revealed that he wanted Canelo to face Bivol for his next fight and eventually grab the undisputed light heavyweight title, which he also believed was the next potential step that the Mexican was going to take but it would require motivation for his trainer and Manager Eddy Reynoso as well.
“I think potentially is the next move. I’d love to see him fight Dmitry Bivol,” Hearn said in an interview with BoxingScene.com, “He can fight Bivol and then (with a win) fight the winner of that fight to become undisputed at light heavyweight. I would love to see him become a two-time undisputed world champion but it’s got to be something that motivates him and Eddy. Obviously, they’ll make a decision next week.”
Canelo vs GGG 3: Golovkin has been calling out his rival
Golovkin, on the other hand, had already been hinting at a third encounter with Canelo back in November last year, also claiming that he holds the secret formula to defeat his adversary.
The two time middleweight champ, who currently holds IBF and IBO titles, had his first Canelo fight on 16th September 2017 when GGG was the reigning WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and IBO middleweight world champion. However, the fight ended in a controversial split decision draw and the two had their rematch a year later, with Canelo winning the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBO belts via majority decision, giving Golovkin his sole career defeat so far.
Highlights:
- Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez is reportedly close to signing a 2-fight deal with DAZN
- The deal will see him facing WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol in May followed by a trilogy fight with IBF, IBO middleweight titleholder Gennadiy Golovkin in September
