Tag: David Lemieux

Fight Week: David Benavidez, David Lemieux set for clash of big punchers

Fight Week: David Benavidez and David Lemieux are set for a clash of big punchers on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.

FIGHT WEEK

Super middleweight contenders David Benavidez and David Lemieux will face off in a battle of big punchers Saturday in Arizona (Showtime).

David Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) vs. David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, May 21
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benavidez 11½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight
  • Prediction: Benavidez KO 7
  • Background: Two-time titleholder David Benavidez and longtime contender David Lemieux will fight for the WBC “interim” belt, which will move the winner closer to a major title fight. Benavidez is riding a streak of five consecutive knockouts, including a seventh-round stoppage of Kyrone Davis this past November. Benavidez has been mentioned as a possible opponent for undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. He also has expressed an interest in facing Caleb Plant and middleweight titleholders Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade. He lives in Seattle but grew up in Phoenix, not far from Glendale. Lemieux, a knockout artist from Montreal, has lost his biggest fights. That includes a KO loss to Gennadiy Golovkin in 2015 and a decision against Billy Joe Saunders in 2017. However, he has won five consecutive fights since the latter setback. He was last in the ring in June of last year, when he stopped David Zegarra in the second round.

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

  • Kerman Lejarraga vs. James Metcale, junior middleweights, Bilbao, Spain (DAZN).
  • Fanlong Meng vs. Jean Pascal, light heavyweights, Plant City, Florida (TV).

SATURDAY

  • Joshua Buatsi vs. Craig Richards, light heavyweights; Chantelle Cameron vs. Victoria Bustos, for Cameron’s WBC/IBF women’s junior welterweight title, London (DAZN).
  • Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Danny Dignum, middleweights; Jamel Herring vs. Jamaine Ortiz, lightweights, Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).
  • Christopher Diaz vs. Miguel Beltran, featherweights, Orlando, Florida (Bally’s Sports Net)
  • Tevin Farmer vs. Mickey Bey, lightweights; Isaac Dogboe vs. Eugene Lagos, featherweights, Accra, Ghana (pay-per-view).

[lawrence-related id=30164,26449,25894,25892,25875]

David Benavidez: ‘I felt I could’ve been the … one to beat Canelo’

David Benavidez wasn’t surprised that Dmitry Bivol defeated Canelo Alvarez and feels he could’ve done the same thing.

David Benavidez wasn’t surprised that Canelo Alvarez lost last Saturday to light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, who Benavidez praised. He only wishes it would have been him delivering the upset.

The 25-year-old super middleweight contender from Phoenix, who has been mentioned as a potential opponent for Alvarez, had said that a Bivol was exactly the type of opponent who could give the now-former pound-for-pound king problems.

And that’s how it played out.

“I knew there would be a chance that Bivol would give him a tough fight,” said Benavidez, who is scheduled to face David Lemieux on May 21 in Glendale, Arizona (Showtime). “… I’ve thought that a big, strong man who wasn’t scared and not just trying to survive – a guy trying to hurt him every round – you were going to get exactly what you saw.

David Benavidez has had his hand raised after all his fights. Amanda Westcott / Showtime

“Bivol had some good power. He actually stood his ground and he fought. He tried to get Canelo’s respect from the beginning. That’s the kind of game plan I would try to use, too. The last guys he’s fought had no power, Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders. The only one who had power was Callum Smith and he didn’t look 100% in that fight.

“My hat’s off to Bivol. He’s a great fighter. I know him personally. I’ve sparred with him a lot of times. I knew he was a good fighter and I knew he’d give [Alvarez] a tough time. He fought the best fight of his life.”

And if Alvarez decides to fight Bivol a second time?

“I think it would actually be the same fight, or I think Bivol would beat him more decisively,” Benavidez said. “Now he knows what [Alvarez] has, he knows what to train for. Canelo still needs to figure out Bivol. So I think it would be in favor of Bivol.”

Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champ, indicated immediately after the fight that he would exercise the rematch clause in their contract. However, he quickly began to waffle because of Bivol’s natural size advantage.

That could mean that Alvarez will stay at 168 pounds for now. If he does, he’ll probably fight rival Gennadiy Golovkin in September. Then, if Alvarez beats the 40-year-old Triple-G, Benavidez would become a prime candidate to fight Alvarez.

That has been his dream the past few years.

“The only thing I took away from the [Bivol-Alvarez] fight was that I felt I could’ve been the first one to beat Canelo [since Floyd Mayweather in 2013],” he said. “… But I feel like I can still fight him. Canelo didn’t get beat up. He did get beat on points but he didn’t get beat up drastically.

“I feel I’m a better fighter than Bivol. I’ve sparred him. So I feel I have more weapons in my arsenal. I think a fight between me and me and Canelo would be more entertaining. … He’s still champion at 168. I could still dethrone him at 168.”

Of course, Benavidez must defeat Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) first.

The 33-year-old Canadian is a big puncher who has fallen short in his biggest fights, losing most recently to Golovkin and Saunders. He has won five fights since the loss to Saunders, which took place in 2017.

Benavidez said he’s looking forward to fighting Lemieux in part because of his aggressive style. The winner will become the WBC’s “interim” titleholder.

“David Lemieux is a great fighter,” he said. “He has a lot of knockout power. I feel like his style is tailor made for me. I have a lot of success with all types of fighters but better success with fighters who come forward to me.

“Because of that, I’m very excited to fight him. I think it will be a good fight because he’s very motivated, too. We’ll see how it ends up.”

If Benavidez ends up winning, a big fight could follow. Even if he doesn’t get Alvarez right away, there are other big-name opponents for him to face. That includes Plant, Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade.

“I feel once I get this interim title I’ll have more leverage,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to fight Canelo in the future or get a big fight with Caleb Plant, Charlo, Boo Boo Andrade. There’s a lot of good fights to be made. I feel any of those three fights (Plant, Charlo and Andrade] can be made now.

“We’re going to get a big fight regardless. But first things first. I gotta take care of this fight in two weeks. And after that I’ll move on to bigger and better things.”

[lawrence-related id=30073,25892,25875]

David Benavidez: ‘I felt I could’ve been the … one to beat Canelo’

David Benavidez wasn’t surprised that Dmitry Bivol defeated Canelo Alvarez and feels he could’ve done the same thing.

David Benavidez wasn’t surprised that Canelo Alvarez lost last Saturday to light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, who Benavidez praised. He only wishes it would have been him delivering the upset.

The 25-year-old super middleweight contender from Phoenix, who has been mentioned as a potential opponent for Alvarez, had said that a Bivol was exactly the type of opponent who could give the now-former pound-for-pound king problems.

And that’s how it played out.

“I knew there would be a chance that Bivol would give him a tough fight,” said Benavidez, who is scheduled to face David Lemieux on May 21 in Glendale, Arizona (Showtime). “… I’ve thought that a big, strong man who wasn’t scared and not just trying to survive – a guy trying to hurt him every round – you were going to get exactly what you saw.

David Benavidez has had his hand raised after all his fights. Amanda Westcott / Showtime

“Bivol had some good power. He actually stood his ground and he fought. He tried to get Canelo’s respect from the beginning. That’s the kind of game plan I would try to use, too. The last guys he’s fought had no power, Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders. The only one who had power was Callum Smith and he didn’t look 100% in that fight.

“My hat’s off to Bivol. He’s a great fighter. I know him personally. I’ve sparred with him a lot of times. I knew he was a good fighter and I knew he’d give [Alvarez] a tough time. He fought the best fight of his life.”

And if Alvarez decides to fight Bivol a second time?

“I think it would actually be the same fight, or I think Bivol would beat him more decisively,” Benavidez said. “Now he knows what [Alvarez] has, he knows what to train for. Canelo still needs to figure out Bivol. So I think it would be in favor of Bivol.”

Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champ, indicated immediately after the fight that he would exercise the rematch clause in their contract. However, he quickly began to waffle because of Bivol’s natural size advantage.

That could mean that Alvarez will stay at 168 pounds for now. If he does, he’ll probably fight rival Gennadiy Golovkin in September. Then, if Alvarez beats the 40-year-old Triple-G, Benavidez would become a prime candidate to fight Alvarez.

That has been his dream the past few years.

“The only thing I took away from the [Bivol-Alvarez] fight was that I felt I could’ve been the first one to beat Canelo [since Floyd Mayweather in 2013],” he said. “… But I feel like I can still fight him. Canelo didn’t get beat up. He did get beat on points but he didn’t get beat up drastically.

“I feel I’m a better fighter than Bivol. I’ve sparred him. So I feel I have more weapons in my arsenal. I think a fight between me and me and Canelo would be more entertaining. … He’s still champion at 168. I could still dethrone him at 168.”

Of course, Benavidez must defeat Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) first.

The 33-year-old Canadian is a big puncher who has fallen short in his biggest fights, losing most recently to Golovkin and Saunders. He has won five fights since the loss to Saunders, which took place in 2017.

Benavidez said he’s looking forward to fighting Lemieux in part because of his aggressive style. The winner will become the WBC’s “interim” titleholder.

“David Lemieux is a great fighter,” he said. “He has a lot of knockout power. I feel like his style is tailor made for me. I have a lot of success with all types of fighters but better success with fighters who come forward to me.

“Because of that, I’m very excited to fight him. I think it will be a good fight because he’s very motivated, too. We’ll see how it ends up.”

If Benavidez ends up winning, a big fight could follow. Even if he doesn’t get Alvarez right away, there are other big-name opponents for him to face. That includes Plant, Jermall Charlo and Demetrius Andrade.

“I feel once I get this interim title I’ll have more leverage,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to fight Canelo in the future or get a big fight with Caleb Plant, Charlo, Boo Boo Andrade. There’s a lot of good fights to be made. I feel any of those three fights (Plant, Charlo and Andrade] can be made now.

“We’re going to get a big fight regardless. But first things first. I gotta take care of this fight in two weeks. And after that I’ll move on to bigger and better things.”

[lawrence-related id=30073,25892,25875]

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas, Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight Showtime/PBC schedule

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas and Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight the Showtime/PBC spring and summer schedule.

Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions announced its spring and summer schedule today.

It features nine events spread over five months, including two title-unification main events and 21 undefeated fighters.

Here are the nine cards:

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha
Date: March 26 / Minneapolis
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against the 2012 U.S Olympian in a battle of junior middleweight contenders. Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) is on the cusp of becoming a star. Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs), who has fallen short in his biggest fights, is in a do-or-die situation.
Also fighting: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight (142 pounds).

Erickson Lubin vs. Sebastian Fundora
Date / location: April 9 / Las Vegas
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs) has surged back to prominence by winning six in a row since he was stopped by Jermell Charlo in 2017. Fundora (18-0-1, 12 KOs), a 6-foot-6 154-pounder who loves to fight inside, faces his biggest test in this fight. The winner should fight for a title next.
Also fighting: Tony Harrison vs. Sergio Garcia, junior middleweights; Kevin Salgado vs. Bryant Perrella, junior middleweights.

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas
Date / location: April 16 / Arlington, Texas
At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles
Background: This matchup with unify three of the four major 147-pound titles. Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) bounced back from his car accident to outpoint Danny Garcia in December 2020 only to then suffer a detached retina. He says he’s 100% now. Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) retired Manny Pacquiao by decision last August.
Also fighting: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights.

Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano II
Date / location: May 14 / Los Angeles
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s IBF, WBA and WBC, and Castano’s WBO titles
Background: Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) will be attending to unfinished business after fighting to a spirited draw this past July in San Antonio. Most observers see this as a 50-50 fight between arguably the two best 154-pounders, which is appropriate because it’s for the undisputed championship.
Also fighting: Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton, welterweights.

David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux
Date / location: May 21 / Phoenix
Division: Super middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), a two-time titleholder, will be a significant favorite in this battle between two of the biggest punchers pound-for-pound in the sport. They have a combined 58 knockouts in 68 victories. Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) will be fighting to remain an elite fighter.
Also fighting: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight.

Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero
Date / location: May 28 / Brooklyn, New York
Division: Lightweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) was supposed to have fought Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) last December but was pulled from the card amid sexual assault allegations, for which he ultimately wasn’t charged. Davis survived a scare in a close decision over Romero’s replacement Isaac Cruz. Romero KO’d Anthony Yigit in July.

Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Danny Roman
Date / location:
Division: Junior lightweight
At stake: Fulton’s WBC and WBO titles
Background: This is a matchup of two outstanding technicians. Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) eked out a majority decision over brawler Brandon Figueroa in November. Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) bounced back from a disputed split-decision loss to titleholder Murodjon Akhmadalive by outpointing Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Espinoza Franco.
Also fighting: David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights.

Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki
Date / location: June 18 / Houston
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC title
Background: Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) was in talks to face Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia but neither fight materialized, leaving him with Sulecki (30-2, 11 KOs). Charlo is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Juan Macias Montiel in June. Sulecki, a Pole, has won twice since he was shutout by Demetrius Andrade in 2019.

Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas
Date / location: July 9 / San Antonio
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Magsayo’s WBC title
Background: Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) won his belt by defeating long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr. by a majority decision in January. Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) is a former junior featherweight titleholder who will be fighting for his first 126-pound title.

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas, Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight Showtime/PBC schedule

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas and Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight the Showtime/PBC spring and summer schedule.

Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions announced its spring and summer schedule today.

It features nine events spread over five months, including two title-unification main events and 21 undefeated fighters.

Here are the nine cards:

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha
Date: March 26 / Minneapolis
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against the 2012 U.S Olympian in a battle of junior middleweight contenders. Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) is on the cusp of becoming a star. Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs), who has fallen short in his biggest fights, is in a do-or-die situation.
Also fighting: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight (142 pounds).

Erickson Lubin vs. Sebastian Fundora
Date / location: April 9 / Las Vegas
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs) has surged back to prominence by winning six in a row since he was stopped by Jermell Charlo in 2017. Fundora (18-0-1, 12 KOs), a 6-foot-6 154-pounder who loves to fight inside, faces his biggest test in this fight. The winner should fight for a title next.
Also fighting: Tony Harrison vs. Sergio Garcia, junior middleweights; Kevin Salgado vs. Bryant Perrella, junior middleweights.

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas
Date / location: April 16 / Arlington, Texas
At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles
Background: This matchup with unify three of the four major 147-pound titles. Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) bounced back from his car accident to outpoint Danny Garcia in December 2020 only to then suffer a detached retina. He says he’s 100% now. Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) retired Manny Pacquiao by decision last August.
Also fighting: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights.

Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano II
Date / location: May 14 / Los Angeles
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s IBF, WBA and WBC, and Castano’s WBO titles
Background: Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) will be attending to unfinished business after fighting to a spirited draw this past July in San Antonio. Most observers see this as a 50-50 fight between arguably the two best 154-pounders, which is appropriate because it’s for the undisputed championship.
Also fighting: Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton, welterweights.

David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux
Date / location: May 21 / Phoenix
Division: Super middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), a two-time titleholder, will be a significant favorite in this battle between two of the biggest punchers pound-for-pound in the sport. They have a combined 58 knockouts in 68 victories. Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) will be fighting to remain an elite fighter.
Also fighting: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight.

Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero
Date / location: May 28 / Brooklyn, New York
Division: Lightweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) was supposed to have fought Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) last December but was pulled from the card amid sexual assault allegations, for which he ultimately wasn’t charged. Davis survived a scare in a close decision over Romero’s replacement Isaac Cruz. Romero KO’d Anthony Yigit in July.

Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Danny Roman
Date / location:
Division: Junior lightweight
At stake: Fulton’s WBC and WBO titles
Background: This is a matchup of two outstanding technicians. Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) eked out a majority decision over brawler Brandon Figueroa in November. Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) bounced back from a disputed split-decision loss to titleholder Murodjon Akhmadalive by outpointing Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Espinoza Franco.
Also fighting: David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights.

Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki
Date / location: June 18 / Houston
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC title
Background: Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) was in talks to face Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia but neither fight materialized, leaving him with Sulecki (30-2, 11 KOs). Charlo is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Juan Macias Montiel in June. Sulecki, a Pole, has won twice since he was shutout by Demetrius Andrade in 2019.

Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas
Date / location: July 9 / San Antonio
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Magsayo’s WBC title
Background: Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) won his belt by defeating long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr. by a majority decision in January. Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) is a former junior featherweight titleholder who will be fighting for his first 126-pound title.

Is Callum Smith leading candidate to face Canelo Alvarez?

Eddie Hearn said only one of the four names he submitted to Golden Boy is in discussions to fight Canelo Alvarez: Callum Smith.

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.

[vertical-gallery id=11862]

“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.”

[lawrence-related id=11842,11839,11773,11688,11571]

 

David Lemieux: Canelo Alvarez ‘would be a great matchup for me’

David Lemieux said he’ll be at his best if he ends in the ring with Canelo Alvarez in September.

David Lemieux has been seen for years as a potential opponent for Canelo Alvarez, as they are both promoted by Golden Boy. Could it happen in September?

Lemieux reportedly is among those being considered for Alvarez’s next opponent, an idea the French-Canadian embraces. At the same time, he said he wants to get paid what he believes he deserves, which makes things tricky during coronavirus.

If it happens, Lemieux told BoxingScene.com, he’ll be ready.

“If we were to fight Canelo next, we would do everything I need to prepare,” he said. “I’ve been in the game for a long time, and I can build a camp to be in super shape for a fight against Canelo.

“The interest is there in a Canelo fight, and it’s been a fight that has been talked about for years. We were supposed to fight years ago. Until the contract is signed, it’s all talks.”

Lemieux (41-4, 34 KOs) has always been a dangerous fighter because of his power. However, he has fought only once since September since 2018 because of injuries.

And he didn’t look sharp in that one fight, his first as a full-fledged super middleweight. Lemieux went down twice against Maksym Bursak – once in the first and again in the fifth – but rallied to win a split decision in December.

Could he possibly give Alvarez a tough fight?

“He’s a great fighter, and is very strong and dangerous,” he told BoxingScene.com. “He’s very well-rounded. He’s a tremendous fighter who’s improved through the years. He’s not a stationary fighter, but he doesn’t run either. Styles make fights, Canelo would be a great matchup for me, and fireworks for the fans.

“I’ll be prepared for any scenario. And not just ready, but ready to win.”

That is if he accepts whatever offer he might receive.

“I want to get paid too, of course,” he said. “No one is going to be picking on me for a cheap fight. If that’s the case, I have some great people around me to make sure what’s due is due. We’re staying ready and prepared for Canelo.

He went on: “The [Covid-19] situation is terrible, but I have a family to feed as well. I will not be going way under the minimum purse [versus Canelo]. I do the fighting, my manager Camille Estephan does the calculating.”

Eric Gomez of Golden Boy: ‘Very good chance’ Canelo fights Brit

Eric Gomez of Golden Boy said there’s a ‘very good chance’ Canelo Alvarez will fight either Callum Smith or John Ryder in September.

Will it be either Callum Smith or John Ryder?

Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, told Sky Sports that there’s a “very good chance” Canelo Alvarez will face a British fighter when he returns to the ring in September, meaning either Smith or Ryder.

However, Gomez also said, “We are not discarding any of the top guys.” And he added that it would be easier for Alvarez to face an American opponent because of coronavirus-related visa restrictions.

In other words, the search goes on.

Sky Sports asked Gomez specifically whether he could face Smith or Ryder. He responded by saying, “There is a very good chance. There are a couple of guys we are looking at as a possibility.”

Then he got into the visa issues, saying the selection of an American opponent would be less complicated.

“We don’t have to deal with any visa restrictions that have been imposed by the government,” he said. “If there is someone already here in the U.S.? That helps. It is more difficult now because of the restrictions.

“The borders are not all open so it isn’t easy to bring some fighters to the U.S. It all depends on the negotiations. We are not living in the world that we lived in last year. Canelo will be taking a significant pay cut. It depends on the negotiations.

“Anybody willing to come to the table and be reasonable, he will fight. We are not discarding any of the top guys.”

Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) of Ukraine, David Lemieux (41-4, 34 KOs) of Canada and Anthony Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 KOs) of Flint, Michigan, also have been mentioned as potential opponents for Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs).

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is a super middleweight titleholder who would afford Alvarez an opportunity to win a major belt in a fourth weight class. Ryder (28-5, 16 KOs) lost to Smith in a competitive fight in November, the last time both fighters were in the ring.

Alvarez was scheduled to face 168-pound titleholder Billy Joe Saunders in May but that fight was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and the two couldn’t come to terms for a meeting in September.

That news prompted Smith’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, to say, “It’s supposed to have been a two-horse race, wasn’t it? Now he’s pulling himself out of it, Canelo has got no excuse now, but to fight Callum Smith.

“If that date and opportunity is put to Callum Smith, he’s ready to go.”

Ryder told Sky Sports: “There’s a few names in the hat. Hopefully my name is at the top and it gets picked out. Listen, he’s looking for an opponent, and I know the money is not there for these big shows. It’s a chance in a lifetime, I’m up for it.”

Video: Mannix, Mora: Who is the best opponent for Canelo Alvarez?

Who will Canelo Alvarez fight next? That question remains unanswered. And the possibilities seem to be growing every day. Among the current list of potential foes: Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux and John Ryder. Derevyanchenko …

Who will Canelo Alvarez fight next?

That question remains unanswered. And the possibilities seem to be growing every day. Among the current list of potential foes: Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux and John Ryder.

Derevyanchenko probably is the best fighter among that lot. But is he the best opponent for Alvarez when the Mexican superstar returns to the ring in September? And don’t forget: The Ukrainian fighter also has received an offer to fight middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo.

So how does this drama end?

DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora give their thoughts on this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora.

[jwplayer m7d0IQS5]