Canelo Alvarez’s handlers are getting creative in their search for his next opponent.
Alvarez had been tentatively set to face Billy Joe Saunders on May 2 before the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Now, faced with the prospect of fighting once without spectators, Alvarez and Co. might be looking for a less-expensive option than Saunders for a fight in September.
Enter Sergey Derevyanchenko and Anthony Dirrell, according to reports.
Alvarez and Derevyanchenko are “in talks,” according to The Athletic. BoxingScene.com is reporting that Dirrell is under consideration. The reports indicate that both fights would take place at 168 pounds, although Derevyanchenko – a middleweight – and Alvarez could conceivably fight at a catch weight.
One interesting aspect of these reports is that both Derevyanchenko, 34, and Dirrell, 35, are affiliated with Premier Boxing Champions while Alvarez is handled by Golden Boy Promotions, meaning the rival entities are working together.
Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) is a 2008 Olympian from Ukraine who has lost only close decisions to Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin, the latter fight a memorable brawl in October that raised Derevyanchenko’s stock even in defeat.
Derevyanchenko also is considered a potential opponent for 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo.
Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs) is a two-time super middleweight titleholder who is coming off a ninth-round knockout loss to David Benavidez in September, which cost Dirrell his belt. Dirrell was hampered by a cut from the sixth round on.
Alvarez is coming off an 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev in November to win a light heavyweight title, which he vacated. He has come around on fighting Golovkin a third time but that won’t be next. Triple-G has committed to defending his 160-pound title against mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta first.