Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim - February 27, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

Alvarez told Boxing Scene and The Athletic during a joint interview Thursday that he is open to returning to the ring as early as sometime in February if he beats Smith and leaves the ring relatively unscathed. Eddie Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing is promoting Alvarez for the Smith fight, revealed later Thursday that Alvarez could make a mandatory defense of the WBC super middleweight title against Avni Yildirim just two months after meeting Smith.

Alvarez and Smith agreed to fight for Smith’s title when their deal was finalized last month. The WBC agreed last week to sanction Alvarez-Smith as a fight for its vacant super middleweight crown.

The WBC stipulated, however, that the Alvarez-Smith winner would have to make a mandatory defense of that title against Turkey’s Yildirim within 90 days or the winner would be stripped. The second-ranked Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is the mandatory challenger for the WBC 168-pound crown.

David Benavidez was stripped of the WBC super middleweight title for the second time August 14 because the Phoenix native came in nearly three pounds overweight for an optional title defense against Colombia’s Alexis Angulo (26-2, 22 KOs) the next night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) first surrendered that title after testing positive for cocaine in August 2018.

If he defeats Smith and Yildirim, Alvarez also would want to box May 8 in a higher-profile fight than his mandated defense against Yildirim.

[Enlightened-One]

Canelo said his primary objective is to unify the 168lbs titles and he obviously can’t do that if he vacates his WBC belt.

We also know that, according to the WBC’s rules, a title unification bout takes precedence over a mandatory defence.

Therefore, Canelo’s choice of opponents for his next outing is limited to Yildrim, Plant or Saunders, because the only alternative is to vacate his WBC title if he wants to fight someone else, like GGG.

If Canelo goes for Plant or Saunders next, instead of Yildrim, then I seriously doubt he’ll face GGG during Cinco de Mayo 2021, since he’d stripped of his WBC strap for failing to face his mandatory challenger.

For the record, Saunders is a DAZN fighter, with Yildrim and Plant aligned with the PBC.

So DAZN, Fox and Showtime could potentially engage in a bidding war if they want Canelo to compete on their platforms for his next outing.

[bobcatbox]

So DAZN, Fox and Showtime could potentially engage in a bidding war if they want Canelo to compete on their platforms for his next outing.

Unless I’m misunderstanding Canelo’s free agency status then isn’t every Canelo fight for the foreseeable future going to turn into a bidding war for the rights to broadcast?

I figured he’d collect a little DAZN money to bop Yildirim outta there but didn’t know that Yildirm was a PBC guy. If that’s the case it might become a showtime PPV co-promoted by PBC and maybe Eddie Money?

[The Gratest]

A pretty disappointing opponent for the p4p #1 to face, Yildirim isn't even ranked in The Ring's top 10. He was taken apart easily by the limited Eubank jr. This is the definition of a mismatch and one that I will definitely not be staying up to watch.
Needs must though.

[Enlightened-One]

So DAZN, Fox and Showtime could potentially engage in a bidding war if they want Canelo to compete on their platforms for his next outing.

Unless I’m misunderstanding Canelo’s free agency status then isn’t every Canelo fight for the foreseeable future going to turn into a bidding war for the rights to broadcast?

I figured he’d collect a little DAZN money to bop Yildirim outta there but didn’t know that Yildirm was a PBC guy. If that’s the case it might become a showtime PPV co-promoted by PBC and maybe Eddie Money?

If Canelo wants to retain ownership of his titles, he has to face his mandatories. And they’ll likely be aligned with ESPN, DAZN or the PBC.

So you have to assume that if Canelo is obliged to face someone affiliated with Al Haymon, he’ll initially have to discuss terms with the PBC. And if they don’t come to an agreement, then the purse bid process would commence, which means that ESPN and DAZN could attempt to outbid their network rivals to stage the fight.

The same rule applies if Canelo is mandated to face an ESPN or a DAZN guy.

Personally speaking, I think Canelo is bigger than the titles. He doesn’t need them, but he seems to want them regardless.

So Canelo’s ambition to unify the 168lbs division is restricting his freedom of choice.

[Stanny Onis]

Massive mismatch lol. Alvarez stops him any round he likes

[DrDuke]

Massive mismatch lol. Alvarez stops him any round he likes

Right. Canelo gotta ignore the WBC-diots and go for the unifications against Saunders and then Plant despite the fact of losing the WBC sh!tstrap at some point. He'll get more money and fan attention anyway.

[gregregegg]

I mean, if he does it in feb, then fights his normal may date and sep date, then im not really mad. Its just a bonus, not a very good bonus, but a bonus. WBC normally allow unfications over mandos, but i think the deal was whoever won last weekend had to fight yildirim.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Massive mismatch lol. Alvarez stops him any round he likes

Right. Canelo gotta ignore the WBC-diots and go for the unifications against Saunders and then Plant despite the fact of losing the WBC sh!tstrap at some point. He'll get more money and fan attention anyway.

Don’t see an issue in him fighting in Feb against Yildirim, if he’s still gonna fight in May and September anyway.. that’ll give him 4 fights in a calendar year.

[DrDuke]

Massive mismatch lol. Alvarez stops him any round he likes

Right. Canelo gotta ignore the WBC-diots and go for the unifications against Saunders and then Plant despite the fact of losing the WBC sh!tstrap at some point. He'll get more money and fan attention anyway.

Don’t see an issue in him fighting in Feb against Yildirim, if he’s still gonna fight in May and September anyway.. that’ll give him 4 fights in a calendar year.

If either Saunders or Plant is ready to fight in Feb, I'd rather see a fight against any of them than a mismatch against Yildirim. Today it's not preferable to marinate fights, anything can happen.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Right. Canelo gotta ignore the WBC-diots and go for the unifications against Saunders and then Plant despite the fact of losing the WBC sh!tstrap at some point. He'll get more money and fan attention anyway.

Don’t see an issue in him fighting in Feb against Yildirim, if he’s still gonna fight in May and September anyway.. that’ll give him 4 fights in a calendar year.

If either Saunders or Plant is ready to fight in Feb, I'd rather see a fight against any of them than a mismatch against Yildirim. Today it's not preferable to marinate fights, anything can happen.

Plant's lready fighting in Jan against his brother Truax..

[DrDuke]

Don’t see an issue in him fighting in Feb against Yildirim, if he’s still gonna fight in May and September anyway.. that’ll give him 4 fights in a calendar year.

If either Saunders or Plant is ready to fight in Feb, I'd rather see a fight against any of them than a mismatch against Yildirim. Today it's not preferable to marinate fights, anything can happen.

Plant's lready fighting in Jan against his brother Truax..

Oh, true, forgot that. Then BJS is left. He has also had some easy work recently, just like Canelo, so they both can be ready for Feb.

[Ruthless-RKO]

“When David Benavidez did not make weight [and was stripped of his title in August], Canelo Alvarez immediately contacted the WBC. He wanted to win the WBC super middleweight title,” said Sulaimán. “He wants to defend against the mandatory contender in Avni Yildirim at the beginning of the year. We’ll be in communication with him soon.”

“He has wanted to fight in Mexico for a long time. He’s a tremendous, important icon for the country. He’s the best fighter in the world. He represents so much for Mexico, and he wants to give a great moment of happiness to the country,” said Sulaimán.

[Ruthless-RKO]

“I think that Yildirim is much better than people think,” said Sulaimán. “In the situation of Canelo, he had all of the rights, and he accepted in an exemplary manner to step aside and allow Canelo to fight Smith.”

[gilgamesh]

“When David Benavidez did not make weight [and was stripped of his title in August], Canelo Alvarez immediately contacted the WBC. He wanted to win the WBC super middleweight title,” said Sulaimán. “He wants to defend against the mandatory contender in Avni Yildirim at the beginning of the year. We’ll be in communication with him soon.”

“He has wanted to fight in Mexico for a long time. He’s a tremendous, important icon for the country. He’s the best fighter in the world. He represents so much for Mexico, and he wants to give a great moment of happiness to the country,” said Sulaimán.

F*ck the WBC. F*ck Mauricio Sulaiman.

I REALLY wish Canelo Alvarez had the integrity to say the same thing. Publicly.

[Tevfik1907]

I agree Yildirim is underrated, and he is a good pressure boxer. But it's obvious that Yildirim can't threat Canelo with his pressure and physicality. I mean, if Canelo's style was just outboxing his opponents with jabs and defense, like Floyd does, then stylisticly, Yildirim could do something against Canelo, and I think that's also why he did well against Direll, while Direll is not Floyd, he is skilled as a boxer, but Direll's injury stopped the fight, and I think that fight between Direll and Yildirim should've been at least a draw or no contest.

But Canelo doesn't have only a great head movement and a very good jab, he is also a great counter puncher, and he has a very strong chin, and he has a serious KO power.

Yildirim beat Lolengo Mock before Direll fight, while he scored a knockdown in the first round, it was still a close fight too, it could go either way. Direll fight was also a close one, and if Direll is not going to fight, and if Benavidez can't make weight, then they should choose the no.2 or no. 3 WBC super-middle mandatories (Jacops or Lemieux?) for this fight against Yildirim, I think Canelo is above of Yildirim's level right now.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight will take place at Canelo's Birthplace Of Guadalajara..

Feb 27.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[ValMar]

Why not ?

[fanman]

The above sounds ok. 2 keep busy fights to gain domination over 168.

Isn't Canelo champion Emeritus x Franchise champ anyway, so can bypass mandatories?!

[bobcatbox]

The above sounds ok. 2 keep busy fights to gain domination over 168.

Isn't Canelo champion Emeritus x Franchise champ anyway, so can bypass mandatories?!

In terms of WBC I think so, but in terms of WBA I expect some chicanery getting in the way of the Plant fight or a third clash with GGG.

[margaret thatcher]

hmmm, i dont see yildrim being rated by the ring right now, not a good fight

of course since canelo is a stud who constantly fights top opposition he can have a pass every now and then

[Ruthless-RKO]

hmmm, i dont see yildrim being rated by the ring right now, not a good fight

of course since canelo is a stud who constantly fights top opposition he can have a pass every now and then

To keep the Ring belt, he has to defend against a top 5 in the rankings every 18-24 months is it?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo Alvarez’s fight with Avni Yildirim heading to U.S in February

WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s February title defense against WBC mandatory Avni Yildirim is being moved to U.S territory rather than original plans of staging it in Mexico because of the COVID-19 health situation, according to ESPN MX.

Canelo (54-1-2, 36 KO) wanted to fight ‘Mr. Robot’ Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) at home in his native Jalisco, but those plans have since been dashed this week due to the health emergency with the pandemic in that area.

An announcement will be coming in the next few days about the move for the Mexican star Canelo.

Besides the February date against Yildirim, Canelo is fighting in May against one of these three fighters: Caleb Plant, Gennady Golovkin, and Billy Joe Saunders.

Alvarez, 30, also has a fight that will be taking place in September against one of the three aforementioned fighters.

Golovkin (41-1, 36 KOs) is the longshot for getting the fight with Canelo in 2021 because the former Golden Boy Promotions superstar wants to become the undisputed 168-pound champion as quickly as possible.

To do that, Alvarez needs to use his May and September dates to unify against Plant and Saunders.

Alvarez has been fighting in the United States continually since 2012, starting with his fight against then 40-year-old Shane Mosley. The last time Alvarez fought in Mexico was against Kermit Cintron in November 2011 in Mexico City. That was a fast fifth-round knockout win for Alvarez against the over-matched Kermit.

With the pandemic going on and the fight against WBC mandatory Yildirim needing to be satisfied, this was the perfect time for Alvarez to return to his native Mexico.

He wouldn’t have been walking away from a massive amount of money from staging the Yildirim fight in the U.S because he wouldn’t be able to stage it in front of a crowd in Las Vegas, which has become one of his locations of choice for his fights.

Now the magical question is, where does Canelo take the fight with Yildirim? Texas would seem like the most logical location, as he can stage the fight in front of fans in that state in Dallas.

Boxing fans won’t mind that Canelo’s opponent Yildirim isn’t well known, hasn’t fought in two years, and is coming off a defeat against Anthony Dirrell. Those are incidental things.

What’s important is Canelo will be taking care of his WBC mandatory by facing Yildirim. He’ll then move on and battle 168-pound champions Caleb Plant and Billy Joe Saunders in unification matches in May and September.

Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) said this week that he wants to know whether he’s got the fight with Canelo, as he doesn’t want to sit and wait until May.

He’s talking about wanting to take on Demetrius Andrade next month in February, and then the winner of that fight takes on Canelo in May.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo agrees to details of Hearn’s plans for Feb.27th & May.8th fights

WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez has agreed to major points in negotiations with Eddie Hearn to see him defend against his WBC mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim on DAZN on February 27th and then fight on May 8th.

The fight on May 8th will possibly be against WBO 168-pound champion Billy Joe Saunders or IBF champion Caleb Plant. That part of the deal is iffy, though, as it’ll require many tough negotiations with those champions.

It won’t be a shock if Hearn is unable to negotiate a fight with either of those guys for Canelo to fight on May 8th.

Canelo has to be happy that he’ll be able to face Yildirim on DAZN because that’s a no-risk opponent that he’s guaranteed to look good against.

Boxing fans might be surprised when Yildirim makes it an exciting fight against Canelo than what they saw in his last two contests against Callum Smith and Sergey Kovalev.

Those two guys fought like they were afraid of Canelo, and they didn’t even try to go on the attack. Yildirim will attack Canelo nonstop until the bitter end, which is why he could wind up as his best fight of 2021.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s going to be a mismatch with Canelo stopping Yildirim within six rounds, but it’ll be entertaining while it lasts.

Yildirim is a MUCH more entertaining fighter to watch than Saunders. U.S fans accustomed to seeing a lot of action won’t be pleased with the spoiling that Saunders will be doing against Canelo.

Hearn sounded somewhat confident when discussing his belief that he could get Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) to agree to face Canelo on Cinco de Mayo.

He wasn’t sure, though, and he kept repeating how Saunders would need to be “happy” with the financial situation to agree to the Canelo fight.

At the end of the interview, one got the sense that Hearn had no clue if Billy Joe would agree to take the fight.

With Saunders, it’s not just the money. He needs a lot of time to train because he gains a lot of weight in between fights. So if Canelo is interested in facing him next, he needs to make sure he gives him at least 12 weeks’ notice and hope that’s all he wants.

Hearn needs a back-up plan for Canelo’s May 8th fight

It’s unclear if Hearn has a good back-up plan for Canelo if he’s unable to negotiate a fight with Saunders or Plant for May 8th. DAZN likely wouldn’t be enthusiastic about Canelo facing another Yildirim-like fighter in May.

Good backup options for Canelo’s Cinco de Mayo fight:

• Jermall Charlo
• Gennadiy Golovkin
• Demetrius Andrade
• David Benavidez
• Bektemir Melikuziev
• Edgar Berlanga

This group of fighters would be far better choices for Canelo to fight rather than taking on Saunders or Yildirim. Those two fighters won’t resonate with the American boxing fans, and DAZN will get very little return for the money that they’re paying Alvarez to fight on their platform.

For DAZN to get anything out of having Canelo back with them, they need to have him fighting elite-level opposition that the U.S fans want to see him fighting.

Yildirim won’t do much for DAZN, and that’s easily the worst opponent Canelo will have faced since his mismatch against Rocky Fielding in 2018.

If Canelo accomplishes his goal of becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion in 2021, it would be great if he started to take on fighters that fans want to see him fighting.

Fans don’t want to see Canelo fighting Yildirim or Saunders. Canelo needs to take some risks with his career by facing Charlo, Benavidez, Golovkin, Andrade, Berlanga, Beterbiev, and Bivol.

Canelo is starting to look like a calculated fighter with how he’s picking guys that he clearly beats. The last time Canelo fought someone, he wasn’t a heavy favorite against was Golovkin, which was in 2018. Ever since that fight, Canelo has wanted nothing to do with the Kazah. Why is that?

What good is being a pound-for-pound fighter when you’re not facing the best?

If Canelo is as good as his fans and the nerds that make up the pound-for-pound lists think he is, he needs to start fighting the best guys instead of the Yildirims Saunders and Kovalev easy marks.