After weeks of discussions, Canelo Alvarez’s dream of unifying the four major super-middleweight world titles against IBF king Caleb Plant is back on course, with a deal for a September 18 clash in Las Vegas close to fruition.
Negotiations had been dragging with WBC, WBA Super and WBO champion Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs) starting to cast an eye upwards to the 175lbs division with a fascinating clash against WBC and IBF light-heavyweight title holder Artur Beterbiev teased as an alternative option.
But the 168lbs unification is back on track, with the Mexican star set to ink a one-bout deal with Al Haymon’s PBC entity to seal a fight with the US promoter’s boxer Plant. According to Mike Coppinger of ESPN.com, that fight will be televised on PBC on Fox Pay-Per-View in America and guarantee Canelo his highest career payday.
Canelo is a free agent after his last three bouts were promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing organisation, including an eighth-round retirement win over Billy Joe Saunders in May.
Nashville’s skilful Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) was last seen handily outscoring former champion Caleb Truax in January. He has fast hands and excellent technique, but has not mixed in the same company as the celebrated Canelo, boxing’s pound-for-pound No.1 fighter.