September 12 is no longer a realistic date for the next fight of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, according to Eddie Hearn, who says that he believes the Mexican modern-day legend could wait until November to box next in the hope that some fans will be able to attend.
The traditional Mexican Independence Day weekend has long been lined up as Canelo’s next fight, but with just over six weeks to go, no opponent has been confirmed and Hearn has four boxers in training waiting for the call – Callum Smith, John Ryder, Demetrius Andrade and Dmitry Bivol.
Others rumoured to be under consideration are Jason Quigley and David Lemieux, although Jermall Charlo and Sergey Derevyanchenko effectively ruled themselves by agreeing to fight each other in September.
“September 12 I see as a non-starter,” Hearn said. “We haven’t heard that officially, but it is six weeks this Saturday. Even two weeks ago, September 12 started to look unrealistic.
“The event organisers don’t need the preparation that they used to have. We always wanted to get out eight or nine weeks before so we could get out and market the event and sell tickets. But really it is only the fighters that need that notice now.
“We have put four names forward for Canelo. They are all training as if they might get the call for September 12, because that is not out of the question that all of a sudden you get the call.”
Hearn insists that Canelo is keen on facing Smith, although no deal has been agreed yet.
“We have had discussions about the money, we are a little bit out, we are not a million miles away,” Hearn said. “But I think it is more about the logistics for Canelo or how that purse and money is going to work.
“The fascination with Canelo is ‘I must fight May 4 or September 12’. But no one even cares about that at the moment. If I am Canelo, I am waiting until November to see if I can get some kind of crowd back.
“He does want to fight, he hasn’t boxed since November last year. He wants to fight Callum Smith. To be fair to Canelo, because Callum has the super WBA title and the Ring magazine championship. So for him it’s like ‘if I beat Callum Smith I am the Ring magazine champion, I am the No 1 in the division, but he is the most expensive of all the options.”
–boxingscene.com
