Undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez could be about to go for light-heavyweight glory once again.
ESPN’s Mike Coppinger reports that the 31-year-old Mexican superstar is nearing a deal with Matchroom Boxing which would see him return to the DAZN platform. The eye-watering figures involved are somewhere near $85 million dollars.
The agreement would comprise of two fights with the first on May 7 against Dmitry Bivol for the Russian’s WBA light-heavyweight title. And the second would be the third instalment of his rivalry with Gennadiy Golovkin on September 17.
Previous speculation linked Canelo to a one-fight deal with Al Haymon and PBC (Premier Boxing Champions) which would have been a defence of his four titles at 168lbs against current WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.
A win against Bivol for Canelo would make him a two-time light-heavyweight champion after defeating Sergey Kovalev for his WBO strap in 2019. The 11th round knockout ensured Alvarez became a four-weight world champion. However, he then vacated the title to concentrate on matters at super-middleweight which he has now taken care of having beaten former champions Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant in 11 months to become the 12 stone king.
Should he pick up Bivol’s title Canelo would then move back down to 168lbs to defend his four world titles against Golovkin. The 39-year-old Kazakh has shared 24 rounds with the Mexican in 2017 and 2018 but failed to beat him on both occasions. Their first encounter ended in a split draw while Canelo got the nod in the rematch.
For the current IBF middleweight champion to get his hands on his nemesis once again he must first get through WBA title holder Ryota Murata. Their rescheduled unification is being targeted for the Spring in Japan, according to Coppinger.