Unified super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s mandated WBC defence against Turkish contender Avni Yildirim is now headed to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on February 27.
Canelo (54-1-2, 36 KOs) had originally hoped to defend his WBC and WBA Super 168lbs crowns in front of his countrymen in his home state of Guadalajara, but current Covid-19 restrictions in Mexico prevented fans from being in attendance.
The bout then seemed destined for a stadium setting in America and, according to Mike Coppinger of The Athletic, that venue is set to be the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, home to the NFL’s Dolphins franchise.
Former sparring partner Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) isn’t expected to derail Canelo’s assault on the super-middleweight division and victory for the Mexican could tee up a clash with rival WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders in early May.
Canelo-Yildirim will be streamed globally on DAZN (except in Mexico) after the champion apparently agreed to another one-fight deal with the streaming network and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing USA operation, following his points win over Callum Smith in December.