THE future of boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez is rumoured to be up in the air.
ESPN have reported that the Mexican and PBC (Premier Boxing Champions) have agreed to part ways despite their deal having two fights left.
The first of the three took place last September at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas when the 33-year-old comfortably beat Jermell Charlo who jumped two weight classes, leaving behind his four belts at super-welterweight, to challenge the super-middleweight champion.
Canelo had been set to return on May 4 against Jermell’s twin brother Jermall, but sources told ESPN that a deal could not be reached for the bout on Cinco De Mayo allowing Canelo to look elsewhere.
Such was the overall disappointment of Canelo vs. Jermell Charlo it may have been extremely challenging in the current market to sell such a pay-per-view event between the number one fighter at 168lbs and Jermall Charlo. The WBC middleweight belt holder returned to the sport in November to decision Jose Benavidez Jr over 10 rounds. That win ended a two-year absence for Charlo due to personal issues outside the ring but the performance itself left few believing he would be the ideal dance partner for Canelo in the near future.
The door appears now open for Eddie Hearn and DAZN to work with Canelo once again having enjoyed a fruitful working relationship in the past which saw Canelo run through the super-middleweight division and become the recognised champion.
Hearn currently promotes another super-middleweight in the shape of rising star Edgar Berlanga who knocked out Northern Ireland’s Padraig McCrory at the weekend. Afterwards the unbeaten Brooklynite called for a fight against Canelo despite a 22-fight career that so far lacks a win which would justifiably move him to the front of the queue.
Another name in the running to face Canelo is Jaime Munguia. The all-action Tijuana super-middleweight has amassed an unbeaten 43-fight record and last month Munguia did what Canelo couldn’t by stopping Britain’s John Ryder in the ninth round of their fight. This, however, was a version of Ryder who that had gone 12 hard rounds with Canelo last May in Guadalajara. Munguia’s fights are currently broadcast live on DAZN as part of a deal between the streaming service and his promoter Golden Boy Promotions which would make a potential deal easier to negotiate should Canelo make a return to DAZN.
With PBC’s David Benavidez now moving to light-heavyweight rather than hanging around for an all-Mexican showdown against Canelo we could see the inexperienced Berlanga or the improving Munguia in the opposite corner to Canelo on May 4.