The announcement of Canelo Alvarez’s next fight is apparently being held up by a wrangle over financial terms.
Multiple sources have informed ESPN.com that broadcaster DAZN is seeking to reduce Canelo’s contracted fee with boxing and all live sport heavily affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
According to ESPN.com, DAZN is believed to be asking for a sizeable discount in these unprecedented times though they have chosen not to comment on the situation.
Canelo is halfway through an $365 million, 11-fight deal with DAZN that was originally signed in 2018.
According to the Mexican’s lawyer Greg Smith, DAZN is the remaining stumbling block before a September 12 fight, potentially against WBA Super 168lbs champion Callum Smith, is announced.
“Canelo is in great shape. He’s been training hard, he is absolutely ready and on track to fight in September,” Smith told Steve Kim of ESPN.com. “If it’s up to him, and him only, he would’ve already announced the fight.
“There’s obviously other parties and other things involved that are out of his control. But everything he can control, he’s on track and prepared.
“Everybody, including Team Canelo, is waiting to find out if DAZN’s going to live up to its obligations. I am aware of no other sticking points.”
One would still expect a compromise to be made, but as the weeks pass a September date becomes less and less likely.