Eleider Alvarez, Top Rank Make Promotional Deal Official

[Ruthless-RKO]

Top Rank announced today it has reached a multi-year agreement with Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) to co-promote WBO light heavyweight world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez. Alvarez’s first bout under this co-promotional agreement will be Feb. 2 at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, for his highly anticipated rematch against Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (ESPN+, 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PST).

Alvarez knocked out Kovalev in August in the seventh round of a slugfest, which propelled the 34-year-old to the upper reaches of the sport.

A Colombian amateur star who represented his homeland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Alvarez has spent his pro career based in Montreal, where he has become a fan favorite.

“I am really proud of this agreement. I am thankful to GYM for always believing in me. I am also grateful that Top Rank and ESPN demonstrate trust and confidence in my talent,” Alvarez said. “I can’t wait to show the world that I am a great champion.”

“The world discovered Eleider Alvarez last August in Atlantic City, with his speed, athleticism, strength and stamina. Soon, his personality will transcend his WBO title and the world will discover he has all it takes to be a great star,” said Michel, GYM president. “We are very happy to join Top Rank’s team, Bob Arum and Todd duBoef, in Alvarez’s quest for fame and achievement.”

“Eleider Alvarez showed he had the heart of a true champion when he came back to knock out Sergey Kovalev,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We look forward to working with Yvon Michel and his team to bring Eleider the biggest and best fights, which starts Feb. 2 with the Kovalev rematch.”



Alvarez (24-0, 12 KOs) is a nine-year pro who climbed the ranks steadily, defeating former middleweight world champion Edison Miranda in only his 13th pro fight in 2013. Following the Miranda win, he captured the WBC silver light heavyweight belt on Oct. 25, 2014 via seventh-round TKO. Despite his high world rankings, it would be years before Alvarez challenged for world title honors. He earned his title shot by fighting, and defeating, many of the light heavyweight division’s top contenders.

Alvarez outlasted perennial contender Isaac Chilemba via majority decision on Nov. 28, 2015, a fight that saw him weather a late-rounds Chilemba rally. In February 2017, he knocked out former longtime super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute in the fifth round. Later that year, Alvarez turned back former light heavyweight world champion Jean Pascal by majority decision, using a stiff jab to control the action.

The Chilemba, Bute, and Pascal victories earned him a shot at Kovalev. That August night on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Kovalev built an early lead, but Alvarez rallied to score three knockdowns in the climactic seventh round.

[victor-romeo]

Now ESPN will have access to Gvozdyk, Kovalev, and Alavrez, some good fights there maybe sprinkle in a little Bivol for sure, maybe some Beterbiev, and Badou Jack making some great Light Heavyweight fights on ESPN.

[klitoris]

Anyone know who Beterbiv is actually with rn? Is it Hearn?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone know who Beterbiv is actually with rn? Is it Hearn?

Last I heard He was in contract dispute with Top Rank? Or am I thinking of someone else.

[lazboy]

Now ESPN will have access to Gvozdyk, Kovalev, and Alavrez, some good fights there maybe sprinkle in a little Bivol for sure, maybe some Beterbiev, and Badou Jack making some great Light Heavyweight fights on ESPN.

A pinch of Callum Smith could also bring some spice to the mix.

[Ruthless-RKO]

According to Radio Canada, the agreement is a two year deal, which guarantees Alvarez a seven-figure purse for as many as seven fights.

Alvarez will also receive a percentage of any pay-per-view event that he headlines and ticketing revenues for all events.

The financial terms would of course be revised if Alvarez loses his title. The agreement also provides for Alvarez to fight at least one time a year in Quebec.

"Despite all this money, I have the same motivation. Honestly, I did not follow the negotiations. I was not aware of anything. It was in the hands of my manager. All I know is that I'm expected in Texas on February 2nd," Alvarez said to the outlet.

The contract signed by all parties last Thursday and will come into effect with the presentation of the February rematch.

[jamamb]

wow good terms for alvarez, he didnt really strike me as anything near a 7 figure per fight guy, i wonder what gvozdyks making

[Ruthless-RKO]

Earlier this year, light heavyweight contender Eleider Alvarez signed a very lucrative co-promotional contract with Top Rank - which spanned two years with his contests being carried by ESPN and their supporting platforms.

There will be some financial consequences, but the contract with Top Rank will continue.

Alvarez was previously set, as champion, to receive a minimum of $1 million per fight, according to Canadian sources. It now appears his minimum will be $250,000 - plus some monetary bonuses depending on the opponent. Alvarez can reclaim the original terms of his agreement, if he captures another world title.

"He (Alvarez) came to my office where we spent a few hours to discuss the initials plans to bring him back," said Alvarez's co-promoter, Yvon Michel of GYM, to TVA Sports. "At the same time, I told him that the Top Rank contract was continuing.

"Obviously, the numbers are changing, but he still has a two-year contract. He has six fights left. I was told that they intended to continue with Eleider, even if he had a performance that was below expectations."

Michel made some clarifications concerning this agreement.

"They had the choice between giving us a fight and then parting ways or deciding to continue the adventure. The contract continues, but with numbers that carry an important base amount, but lower than what we had before, with a bonus depending on the quality of the opponent," continued Michel.

"And if he ever becomes world champion, then the contract would come back as it was originally. The goal is to bring him back to the world championship this year."

[jamamb]

hes still a good fighter and a top ten lhw, i wouldnt be surprised at all if he beat beterbiev for example

[oogiebe]

I think I heard this was going to happen several weeks back. Didn't Alvarez also change trainers recently?