Promoter Eddie Hearn told BoxingScene.com that he recently submitted four names as potential opponents for Canelo Alvarez. Only one has had discussions with Alvarez promoter Golden Boy: Callum Smith.
Alvarez is expected to fight on Sept. 12. He still doesn’t have an opponent. Golden Boy isn’t tipping its hand but, indeed, Smith apparently is a front runner. Golden Boy partner Bernard Hopkins suggested John Ryder was another leading candidate. And David Lemieux and Jason Quigley reportedly also are being considered.
Golden Boy apparently is seeking an inexpensive option because the fight will take place without spectators, meaning profits from the live gate will be sacrificed.
Hearn and Golden Boy are both aligned with DAZN, which streams Alvarez’s fights.
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“I put forward to Golden Boy three or four weeks ago Dmitry Bivol, Demetrius Andrade, Callum Smith and John Ryder and I said this is all the money they want,” Hearn said. “The only one there has been a discussion about is Callum Smith. So far.
“I saw Bernard Hopkins’ comments. There have been no discussions about John Ryder at all. I do believe he is in the mix. But we haven’t had an offer, we have not discussed money. We have discussed money on Callum Smith and we are not quite where we need to be.
“We are not a million miles away but it is seven weeks this coming Saturday. Luckily, Callum Smith is ready to go, John Ryder’s ready to go. You don’t have to sell tickets anymore, but you still want a lot of notice for a fight like that.”
Hearn doesn’t believe Quigley or Lemieux, both Golden Boy fighters, would be approved as an opponent for Alvarez. Ryder? Maybe.
“John Ryder is chomping at the bit, so is Callum, but they are in different positions,” Hearn said. “Callum had the WBA super championship, he is The Ring [Magazine] champion, so he has a lot on the line. … I have seen them put in Lemieux and Quigley. I can’t see in a million years DAZN approving those fights.
“I don’t know Canelo personally but I do get a feeling that he wants to face the champion and I think is he had his choice, he would choose Callum Smith, if money allows it.”
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