Are We One Step Closer To Canelo-Saunders?
For months, everyone has been asking what is next for Canelo Alvarez. After winning the WBO Light Heavyweight Championship from Sergey Kovalev back in November, the quest to find a new challenger has been a stressful one. It appears we will finally have our answer.
According to The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger, Alvarez is close to signing a bout with WBO Super-Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders. The bout would be for May 2 on DAZN. The only thing keeping this bout from being official is the value of money on Saunders’ side.
Sources: Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders haven’t agreed to terms yet, but they’re about 95% there, and the sides are determined to finalize a deal this week for a May 2 super middleweight title fight on DAZN. The hold-up: a discrepancy with Saunders’ minimum in his contract
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) February 18, 2020
What a wild turn of events. Canelo (53-1-2) appeared to be close to taking on Ryoto Murata in Japan before negotiations fell through. A fight with Jermall Charlo was discussed, but the WBC Middleweight Champion and his team rejected a lucrative offer. WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Callum Smith turned down an offer to fight Canelo, according to ESPN.
There are other challenges out there for Canelo. IBF Super-Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant is a possibility, as well as WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade. Canelo himself was annoyed that many fighters have been ducking out, stating they want things they believe they deserve.
“Because they want a lot of money,” Canelo stated to ESPN Deportes during a golf outing. “When they go to fight with ‘Canelo’ they want the moon and the stars, that is the complication, but there are many rivals and there has to be one out there. I’m ready for anyone.”
After signing a $365 million deal with DAZN, it was assumed that Canelo would have big fights. Now, the Saunders fight could be “the one” for DAZN. Saunders (29-0) is coming off of a TKO-win against Marcelo Esteban Coceres back in November to retain his WBO belt. The former WBO Middleweight Champion has 14 wins via knockout, and was recently showcased to the world on the KSI v. Logan Paul II card.
Since fighting to Gennady Golovkin to a split decision draw back in 2017, Canelo has since beaten Golvkin, Rocky Fielding, Daniel Jacobs and Kovalev. With hopes that the fight in May can be in Mexico, there is a possibility a fight is announced this week. Will Saunders be the one to answer the call?