The relationship between Canelo Alvarez on one side and his promoter and streaming platform on the other side reached a crisis point because of one thing, according to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya:
“[DAZN is] not living up to their contract,” De La Hoya told BoxingScene.com.
Alvarez has sued De La Hoya, his company and the streaming service for breach of contract in good part because DAZN is refusing to pay Alvarez the amount the fighter believes is stipulated in his contract.
DAZN reportedly is offering a fraction of his $35 million guarantee because it believes Alvarez’s prospective opponents won’t drive subscriptions to the streaming service.
Gennadiy Golovkin, De La Hoya himself and MMA stars Jorge Masvidal and Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly would be acceptable opponents for DAZN to pay a premium price, not the likes Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith.
De La Hoya was interviewed by BoxingScene.com a few hours before he learned of the lawsuit.
“In my mind Canelo is willing to fight anyone, obviously, the way he’s proved it many times in his career,” he said. “He’s willing to fight Billy Joe Saunders, he’s willing to fight Callum Smith. My frustration is DAZN.
“Another frustration is DAZN’s obligation to live up to a contract that they signed. That’s a huge frustration. That’s a huge deal breaker for us. That’s where the frustration is. How can you fight a top-level opponent like Callum Smith, an elite opponent like Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders, and then have DAZN not live by their contract?
“It doesn’t make sense to me and that’s where the frustration is.”
De La Hoya said he’s perplexed by DAZN’s definition of a premium opponent.
“If anyone tells me Callum Smith or Billy Joe Saunders are not premium fighters, I must be crazy,” he said. “I must not know boxing. I must not have been in boxing for 35 years. Let’s get this going. Live up to your contract. Let’s get three great fights – Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, GGG. Whatever order.
“Let’s get it going. Let’s do it. We’re waiting for you (DAZN).”
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