With Canelo seemingly out of the frame for a rematch with Dimitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn has stated that British fighters Dan Azeez and Anthony Yarde are now in with a shot at the Russian WBA light heavyweight champion.
Bivol outboxed and outpointed Canelo in their 12-round battle back in May of 2022. Although Canelo has long since talked of a rematch, neither can agree on a weight class to fight at and Eddie Hearn says talks have now stopped, at least for the moment.
According to Hearn, this has now opened the door for one of two Brits to step up against the Russian technician.
Speaking to Boxing Social, he says he believes both men have done enough to warrant a crack at the Fighter of the Year.
“I just want to give a Brit that shot, you know.
Obviously, Joshua Buatsi turned the fight down, he’s not available promotionally. I love Bivol against Anthony Yarde. I think that’s a fight we’re going to speak to George Warren about. He’s earned the right for another fight after another great performance.
Obviously, Craig Richards has already fought Bivol. I think Dan Azeez has got himself to number 2. He’s won British, Commonwealth and European championships. I’d love to give him the shot against Dimitry Bivol.
It’s a great story and if anyone is going to get a shot I’d like it to give it to a British fighter so we’ll open negotiations with Dan Azeez if he’s a free agent.”
Most recently, Yarde put up a valiant showing against the feared IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev back in January before his corner threw in the towel in the 8th round.
Azeez, meanwhile, has been slowly but surely moving up the ranks, winning the European title from Thomas Faure in March after solid wins against Rocky Fielding, Shakan Pitters and Hosea Burton since 2021.
