Mexicans will have to wait to see Canelo Alvarez fight again on their soil.
Alvarez’s anticipated title defense next month will take place in the United States, not in Mexico as hoped, because of the coronavirus pandemic, ESPN reported Thursday.
Alvarez, now his own promoter, and his affiliates decided that conditions in the U.S. are better for live events.
The super middleweight titleholder is expected to face mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim late next month. An announcement could come as soon as Friday.
Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) hasn’t fought in his native country since he stopped Ryan Rhodes in June 2011.
The title defense will be a quick turnaround for Alvarez, who easily outpointed Callum Smith on Dec. 19 to take Smith’s WBA belt and win the vacant WBC title. If he wins, he plans to defend again in May against either Billy Joe Saunders or Caleb Plant, who hold the other two titles.
Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) agreed to step aside for the Alvarez-Smith fight with the stipulation that the winner would fight him next.
The 29-year-old Turk last fought in February 2019, when he lost a technical decision to Anthony Dirrell.
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