Billy Joe Saunders made a reference on Instagram Live to Canelo Alvarez’s positive test for a banned substance found in Mexican beef.
The fight has never been formally announced. There’s never been a press conference. But there is some trash talk, perhaps as reliable a sign as any these days that the Billy Joe Saunders vs. Canelo Alvarez super middleweight fight will eventually happen.
Saunders made a cryptic reference to Alvarez’s positive test for a banned substance found in Mexican beef during an Instagram Live video with promoter Eddie Hearn this week.
Saunders commented on Hearn saying that he thought Alvarez trainer Eddy Reynoso was the best cornerman outside of the U.K.
“I think, yeah, but [Reynoso] can’t really speak a lot of English, so we can’t really know,” said Saunders, who apparently can’t really speak a lot of Spanish. “We don’t know what he’s saying. Do you know what I mean?
“Also, they do good meat out there as well, you know, good beef.”
Alvarez blamed his positive test for clenbuterol two years ago on contaminated meat he said he ate in Mexico. Clenbuterol, a steroid, is a substance injected into cattle by Mexican ranchers. The controversial test resulted in a six-month suspension, forcing a postponement of the Alvarez-Gennadiy Golovkin middleweight rematch, which Alvarez won by majority decision on Sept. 15, 2018 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Saunders has his own PED history. He tested positive for a stimulant, oxilofrine, also in 2018. The positive test led to the cancellation of a scheduled middleweight title fight with Demetrius Andrade that October.
Alvarez has not responded to Saunders’ comment. He was angered by critical comments GGG made about the positive test for clenbuterol. For a while, Alvarez was apparently angry enough to say he would never fight GGG again. But that changed. There’s a reported deal for a third Alvarez-Golovkin fight, projected for Sept. 12. That all depends on when the coronavirus pandemic subsides.
Meanwhile, the reported Saunders-Alvarez fight was supposed to happen on May 2. But that too has been postponed until a date-yet-determined because of the virus.
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create …
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create our own “Who Wins?” feature, in which we pit a single fighter against each of five potential opponents and indicate who we believe would win the fights.
We started the series Sunday with our No. 1 boxer pound-for-pound, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Monday we focused on No. 2-rated Terence Crawford and yesterday it was No. 3 Canelo Alvarez’s turn.
Today? No. 4 Naoya Inoue.
The unbeaten Japanese sensation faces Luis Nery, Juan Francisco Estrada, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Roman Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
Note that Estrada, Gonzalez and Sor Rungvisai all fight at junior bantamweight, a division below Inoue’s. Also note that Estrada (No. 9) and Sor Rungvisai (No. 14) are on the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list and Gonzalez was on top of the heap not long ago.
As in the case of the previous three subjects, our staffers – Michael Rosenthal, Norm Frauenheim and Sean Nam – give their picks in each of Alvarez’s five fights. We then tally Inoue’s record in those fights and present our standings.
We want to acknowledge that the choice of possible opponents is subjective. We’re looking for the best possible but also realistic foes for our featured boxers. One caveat: We won’t consider promotional and managerial rivalries that often stand in the way of the best matchups. And we’re operating under the assumption that none of our featured boxers will fight with ring rust as result of their forced coronavirus-related layoff.
The plan is to work our way down our pound-for-pound list each day. That means our featured fighter tomorrow will be No. 5 Oleksandr Usyk.
So here goes: Inoue vs. his five potential opponents.
INOUE (19-0, 16 KOs) VS. NERY (30-0, 24 KOs)
Luis Nery (right) has left many of his opponents on the canvas. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Rosenthal: Luis Nery is a scary proposition for anyone at bantamweight. The question is this: Can he still make 118? The Mexican, who has a history of missing weight, was scheduled to move up to 122 but a fight with Aaron Alameda was canceled because of the coronavirus. If he could make 118? He’d be dangerous for Inoue because they have a similar combination of skill, explosiveness and knockout power. This is a war from beginning to end with Inoue winning a close decision.
Frauenheim: Nery has dangerous power. The left-hander can whack with either hand. But he’s lanky and likes to move inside with long, looping punches. He’s better at moving forward than backing away. Inoue catches him with quick and lethal counters as he steps in. Inoue in a late-round knockout.
Nam: Perhaps the most challenging opponent on here. There is a compelling storyline here, too. Nery fought Inoue’s countryman Shinsuke Yamanaka twice, winning both times, but also cheated both times (tested positive for PEDs after the first bout, missed weight in the second). Nery throws furious combinations, but also swings wide, making him a sitting duck for Inoue’s razor-sharp, compact right hands and left hooks. Inoue by unanimous decision.
***
INOUE VS. ESTRADA (40-3, 27 KOs)
Juan Francisco Estrada (left) is one of the best all-around fighters. John McCoy / Getty Images
Rosenthal: Estrada is a complete fighter, meaning he’s a handful for anyone. He’ll outbox you, he’ll hurt you and he’ll almost certainly beat you. He’s a 115-pounder, though. He has fought above that weight but not against an elite opponent like Inoue. The guess here is that he’d be at too much of a physical disadvantage against Inoue, who would have trouble in the first half of the fight but slowly break Estrada down and win a clear decision.
Frauenheim: Estrada is a classic boxer-puncher, solid in every way. But he was vulnerable to a busy style, which was what Gonzalez used to beat him by decision. Inoue varies the angles and the rate of his combinations, all done to set up his signature punch — a left hook to the body. Inoue, unanimous decision.
Nam: The most skilled fighter here. He also has an underrated chin, as evidenced in his fights against a prime Roman Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (twice). Not sure it holds up here against Inoue at 118. It’s a competitive bout for most of the fight, but Inoue’s power will take over late, eventually earning him a stoppage.
***
INOUE VS. RIGONDEAUX (20-1, 13 KOs)
Guillermo Rigondeaux (left) went back to his safety-first boxing style but still got in his licks against Liborio Solis. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Rosenthal: Rigondeaux looked comfortable in his move down to 118 to face Liborio Solis in February, which is a bit surprising at his age (39). And the Cuban boxing wizard was effective once he decided to box instead of brawl in his decision victory. If the Cuban sticks with the ideal game plan – box, box, box – he could give Inoue all kinds of trouble. And unlike in his KO loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko, Rigo wouldn’t be at a size disadvantage. This one comes down to the wire and ends in a shocking draw.
Frauenheim: Ten years ago, this would have been great fight. Rigondeaux will be 40 on Sept. 30, according to his bio. That’s old at any weight, ancient at a lighter weight. Rigondeaux is skilled enough to last. But that’s the problem. Inoue, 26, will wear him out late, scoring a unanimous decision.
Nam: If Rigondeaux decides to play spoilsport, he could conceivably win a decision. But given that his reflexes aren’t what they used to be and that in his most recent outings he has resorted to fighting inside the pocket, it’s hard to feel confident in that prediction. Rigondeaux will slip and slide his way to the final bell, but expect Inoue to have landed the more telling shots.
***
INOUE VS. GONZALEZ (49-2, 41 KOs)
Roman Gonzalez (right) resurrected his career as an elite fighter with a victory over Kal Yafai. Amanda Westcott / DAZN
Rosenthal: Gonzalez looked like the juggernaut of old in his ninth-round KO of Kal Yafai at junior bantamweight in February. Still, moving up a division to face a beast like Inoue would be too much to ask for Gonzalez, who seems to be close to his weight ceiling. The Nicaraguan has the ability and experience to hang around for a while but Inoue would gradually wear him down and take him out somewhere around Round 9.
Frauenheim: There’s reason for weight classes. Gonzalez is back for more at bantamweight. But he’s still not quite the fighter he was at 108, 112 and 115 pounds. He’d have beaten Inoue at one of those weights. But Inoue has grown into a mature bantamweight, and he’ll use the leverage to win a late-round TKO.
Nam: When Gonzalez got knocked out by Srisaket sor Rungvisai, it appeared to spoil a potential fight with Inoue when Inoue was still fighting at 115 pounds. But with the way Gonzalez looked in his stoppage of Kal Yafai, who knows? Still, at 118, this is a bridge too far even for Gonzalez. Inoue will move around and try to land potshots. He proved against Donaire that he has the conditioning to go 12 rounds at a fast pace. Inoue by late stoppage.
INOUE VS. SOR RUNGVISAI (47-5-1, 41)
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (right) beat Gonzalez in back to back fights in 2017. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
Rosenthal: Sor Rungvisai had one of the most impressive streaks in boxing in 2017 and 2018, stopping Roman Gonzalez twice and outpointing Juan Francisco Estrada in consecutive fights. He hasn’t done much since, beating two journeymen and then losing a decision to Estrada in their rematch. The ability and the power still lurk, though. If he could carry that power from 115 to 118, he’d have a chance against Inoue. In the end, though, Inoue’s superior skill set wins the day. Inoue by clear decision.
Frauenheim: Other than his Fight of the Year battle with Nonito Donaire, Inoue’s toughest fight could be Rungvisai. He’s strong. Physicality isn’t exactly a word, but Rungvisai defines it. He could hurt Inoue, who has the skill to elude him. He’s athletic enough to move and smart enough to adjust, all enough for Inoue to win a split decision.
Nam: If Sor Rungvisai demonstrates that his cast iron chin can hold up at 118 pounds, he will gave Inoue some trouble. He’ll push the pace and throw left hand haymakers as Inoue tries to maneuver around the ring and land his potshots. Without the skillset to match Inoue’s, Sor Rungvisai will end up taking a lot of punishment. Inoue by decision.
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create …
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create our own “Who Wins?” feature, in which we pit a single fighter against each of five potential opponents and indicate who we believe would win the fights.
We started Sunday with our No. 1 boxer pound-for-pound, Vasiliy Lomachenko, who faced Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, Miguel Berchelt and Ryan Garcia in our mthyical fights. Yesterday No. 2-rated Terence Crawford was pitted against Errol Spence, Manny Pacquiao, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.
Today? It’s No. 3 Canelo Alvarez’s turn.
The Mexican star seems to have made a decision to fight at 168 pounds. Thus, we’re pairing him with four super middleweights and arch rival Gennadiy Golovkin, who has fought above 160 pounds.
As in the case of Lomachenko and Crawford, our staffers – Michael Rosenthal, Norm Frauenheim and Sean Nam – give their picks in each of Alvarez’s five fights. We then tally Alvarez’s record in those fights and present our standings.
We want to acknowledge that the choice of possible opponents is subjective. We’re looking for the best possible but also realistic foes for our featured boxers. One caveat: We won’t consider promotional and managerial rivalries that often stand in the way of the best matchups. And we’re operating under the assumption that none of our featured boxers will fight with ring rust as result of their forced coronavirus-related layoff.
The plan is to work our way down our pound-for-pound list each day. That means our featured fighter tomorrow will be No. 4 Naoya Inoue.
So here goes: Alvarez vs. his five potential opponents.
***
ALVAREZ (53-1-2, 36 KOs) VS. GOLOVKIN (40-1-1, 35 KOs)
Is Canelo Alvarez (right) too good for Gennadiy Golovkin at this stage of their careers. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Rosenthal: Golovkin isn’t as far gone as some seem to believe. He looked so-so in his last fight, a harder-than-expected unanimous-decision victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko that raised the question: Is the soon-to-be-38-year-old fading? The guess here is that he lacked inspiration, which he would have in abundance for third fight with Alvarez. Part III would look like Parts I and II – give and take from beginning to end – but Alvarez, who is peaking now, is better at this stage of the game. He wins a clear decision this time.
Frauenheim: The second encore will be more of what we saw in the first encore. Golovkin is a couple fights past his prime. His durability is not the same. Lack of body punching in the first two is a sign GGG won’t step inside. Canelo, unanimous decision.
Nam: The win and draw Alvarez has against Golovkin will forever have asterisks attached to them. But if these two ever fight again – there is talk that it could happen this fall – Alvarez will be the decided favorite and it has all to do with the fact that he’s in his prime and Golovkin is not. Since their last meeting, Alvarez has outclassed Daniel Jacobs and stopped light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev. Golovkin meanwhile went life and death against Sergiy Derevyanchenko in a fight he barely edged on the scorecards. Alvarez by convincing unanimous decision.
***
ALVAREZ VS. SAUNDERS (29-0, 14 KOs)
Billy Joe Saunders (left) had more trouble with Marcelo Coceres than most expected. Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Rosenthal: Saunders is no pushover. He’s a well-schooled, experienced boxer who has never tasted defeat as a professional. The southpaw, like Triple-G, gave a mediocre performance in his most-recent fight – an 11th-round KO of Marcelo Coceres – and it also might’ve had something to do with motivation. At his best, he’s skilled enough to make Alvarez work hard. And that work would pay off. Alvarez would touch Saunders more and more as the fight progresses and ultimately win by late stoppage.
Frauenheim: Remember Canelo-Erislandy Lara? Canelo won, but Lara made him look bad by staying away, always outside and always circling. Saunders will do the same. It’s his only chance. But Canelo is better at cutting off the ring than he was against Lara. Canelo, unanimous decision.
Nam: This is a stinker of a fight. Saunders, the prototypical southpaw cutie, will work behind a busy jab and try to hold whenever Alvarez gets close. It’ll be ugly, but eventually Alvarez’s precise counters to the body will slow Saunders down and gain the approval of the judges. Alvarez by unanimous decision.
ALVAREZ VS. SMITH (27-0, 19 KOs)
Callum Smith (right) has a combination of ability and size that could give Alvarez trouble. Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images
Rosenthal: Smith, too, is coming off sub-par showing — a controversial decision over John Ryder — in his last fight. At his best, Smith is similar to Saunders in terms of his boxing education but he’s taller (6-foot-3) and punches harder, which could make him a legitimate threat to Alvarez. The problem for him will be that he isn’t mobile, which doesn’t bode well in this fight. Alvarez figures to get inside Smith’s long jab, do more and more damage as the fight progresses and win a clear decision.
Frauenheim: Tale of the tape adds up to tactical problems for Canelo. At 6-3, Smith is seven inches taller than Canelo, listed at 5-8. Smith has an a 7½-advantage in reach. Smith is bigger than Sergey Kovalev, who is listed at 6-0. No matter, Canelo stopped Kovalev. He does the same to Smith, scoring a late-round TKO.
Nam: For a time, Smith was touted as perhaps the most talented super middleweight in the world, though that was a flimsy claim given his most important win was against a slightly over-the-hill George Groves. Then in his last bout, Smith looked dreadful against middling British contender John Ryder, who was arguably robbed on the scorecards. Was it just a bad day at the office? Or indicative of some more fundamental deficiencies? Hard to say. What’s clear, though, is that Smith’s long torso makes for easy target practice for Alvarez. Smith doesn’t make it past the 11th round.
ALVAREZ VS. BENAVIDEZ (22-0, 19 KOs)
David Benavidez (right) gave a strong performance in his knockout victory over Anthony Dirrell in September. AP Photo / Ringo H.W. Chiu
Rosenthal: Benavidez is bigger and stronger than Alvarez but he doesn’t have the skill set or experience to handle the man he has described as his dream opponent. The 23-year-old titleholder from Phoenix would be game, of course, but Alvarez would pick him apart, wear him down and eventually stop him.
Frauenheim: A good fight a couple of years from now. The maturing Benavidez has a big upper body. It won’t withstand Canelo’s body punches now. But it might in a few years. Benavidez loves to fight. At 23 years-old, that would get him in trouble. At 25, it’s a different story. Canelo, late-round TKO.
Nam: The most challenging fight for Alvarez. Benavidez brings size, power, and speed, and plenty of intangibles. If Benavidez can take a punch – he’s been knocked down by Ronald Gavril – he may have a shot at upsetting the biggest North American star in the sport. That’s a best-case scenario, though. What’s more likely is that Alvarez’s slippery defense and offensive precision will deliver him yet another win. Alvarez by unanimous decision.
ALVAREZ VS. PLANT (20-0, 12 KOs)
Caleb Plant (left) has speed and athleticism comparable to that of Alvarez. AP Photo / Mark Humphrey
Rosenthal: The slick Plant comes closest among this bunch to matching Alvarez’s speed and athleticism, which could make him difficult for Alvarez to figure out. The problem for Plant could be that he doesn’t have the punching power to keep Alvarez honest, meaning he probably would have to outbox him to win. That’s hard to imagine for a fighter who is still developing. Alvarez by late knockout.
Frauenheim: Might be Canelo’s toughest fight. Plant is hard to hit. He’s known for edgy, in-your-face trash talking. But that’s for new conferences. At opening bell, Plant moves well, in and out, throwing feints and setting traps. But can he elude Canelo’s body-punches? Not for 12 rounds. Canelo wins narrow decision.
Nam: Plant is something of an enigma even after beating Jose Uzcategui to become a super middleweight titleholder. Uzcategui was a middling and overrated fighter, who actually gave Plant fits late in the fight. Since then he has gone up against back-to-back no-hopers in Mike Lee and Vincent Feigenbutz. Plant has some of the smoothest skills in the game, but that cute stuff will only go so far against Alvarez, who will land the more telling punches en route to a unanimous decision win.
Promoter Eddie Hearn still believes that BJ Saunders will get his chance to face Canelo Alvarez, despite the coronavirus…
Not so fast.
Promoter Eddie Hearn says his charge Billy Joe Saunders still has “a deal in place” to face Canelo Alvarez in the summer, should health concerns allow it, despite a a recent report that Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin had agreed to terms on a third fight in September.
The projected Alvarez-Saunders title bout in May was never announced because of the ravaging effects of the coronavirus, which has upended sports programming around the globe.
“(Alvarez-Saunders) now depends when the sport begins again,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “Because that fight was supposed to take place on Cinco de Mayo. Now that’s definitely not happening.”
Hearn, ever the optimist, believes the fight can still happen if the coronavirus threat subsides considerably by the summer.
“Will boxing return in June, July?” he said. “If it does, then there’s every chance that Billy Joe will fight Canelo Alvarez during that period. And the date of the Golovkin fight will be pushed back.”
Saunders is a super middleweight titleholder, which means Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) would have an opportunity to win a legitimate title in a fourth division. He won what the WBA calls its “regular” 168-pound title when he stopped Rocky Fielding in 2018 but Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize that belt.
One silver lining for Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) is that he wouldn’t have to travel far should an Alvarez fight materialize.
“Right now Billy Joe is in Las Vegas training,” Hearn said. “We were supposed to have a press conference on Monday to announce the Canelo Alvarez fight, so he’s out there training with (trainer) Ben Davison and (junior welterweight titleholder) Josh Taylor, who just had his fight postponed from May 2.
“No one knows what they’re doing. It’s a moment where you got to stay focused, you’ve got to stay disciplined. I believe Billy Joe Saunders will fight Canelo Alvarez as long as the boxing schedule returns in the summer.”
A number of the pound-for-pounders have fights scheduled but are waiting to see how the Coronavirus threat plays out.
The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list isn’t going to change anytime soon if our top stars don’t fight.
A number of them do have fights scheduled. The question at the moment is whether they will actually step into the ring because of the Coronavirus threat.
Many boxing cards worldwide have been postponed or canceled as a result of the pandemic.
Here is a look at our Top 15 and their immediate plans.
BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND
Vasiliy Lomachenko — Tentatively scheduled to face Teofimo Lopez on May 30.
Terence Crawford — Scheduled to fight again on June 13, according to ESPN. His people are targeting the top welterweights but we’ve heard that before.
Canelo Alvarez — We’re waiting for an announcement that he’ll fight Billy Joe Saunders on May 2.
Naoya Inoue — Scheduled to fight John Riel Casimero on April 25 in Las Vegas but the pandemic could change that.
Oleksandr Usyk — Scheduled to fight Dereck Chisora on May 23 in London. As Usyk said, “I really hope that this fight will take place.”
Gennadiy Golovkin — Tentatively scheduled to return on June 6 against Kamil Szeremeta. A more tantalizing possibility is a third fight with Alvarez in September.
Errol Spence Jr. — Has nothing scheduled. Pacquiao has been reported to be a possible opponent.
Tyson Fury — Deontay Wilder has exercised the rematch clause in their contract for their second fight. The question is when.
Juan Francisco Estrada — Could fight Roman Gonzalez or Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, fighters with whom is familiar, but this is in the rumor stage.
Mikey Garcia — Nothing is scheduled. He might be the leading candidate to face Pacquiao late this summer.
Artur Beterbiev — Scheduled to face Meng Fanlong on March 28. Could it take place in an isolated studio?
Josh Taylor — Scheduled to face Apinun Khongsong on May 2 in Scotland.
Manny Pacquiao — Said he’ll be back this summer. The leading candidates are Mikey Garcia and Errol Spence Jr.
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai — Scheduled to face Amnat Ruenroeng on April 4 in Thailand.
Leo Santa Cruz — Reportedly in talks with Gervonta Davis for a fight in June.
Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka
Eddie Hearn recently expressed his admiration for the mixed-martial-arts league, the UFC, in an interview with BeIN Sports…
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn can appreciate the sporting aspect of mixed martial arts. The business aspect? He’s head over heels in love with it.
The wheeling-and-dealing head of Matchroom Boxing has long expressed his admiration for the UFC, the largest and most successful MMA promotional group headed by Dana White. In a recent interview with BeIN Sports, Hearn went into more detail about his infatuation with White’s business.
“I’m that casual fan of MMA, I don’t know a lot about it,” Hearn said. “I could probably name you half a dozen fighters. I will watch the bigger fights, but I’m that casual fan who tunes in for the big ones.
“But I love what [the UFC has] done as a brand, I love their expansion into territories. I’m jealous because they control the sport and fighters in a way where the fighters are basically told who they’re going to fight.”
The UFC, of course, has an outsize influence over MMA in the U.S. While there are other promotional groups, such as Bellator and Asia-based One Championship, many experts believe the UFC controls as much as 80% of the U.S. market for MMA. That gives the organization, which signed a $1.5 billion broadcasting deal with ESPN in 2018, considerable leverage over its fighters and the ability to dictate matchmaking. So much so that it is the subject of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit over fighter pay.
Hearn envies that model.
“In boxing it’s exactly the opposite,” Hearn said. “[Fighters] tell us [who they are going to fight]. From that perspective, Dana White has always talked about going into boxing but it’s going to be really frustrating because you don’t just phone up Canelo [Alvarez] and say, ‘Right, you’re fighting [Gennadiy Golovkin] in September. I’ll see you there.’
“[In boxing] you have to negotiate with managers, advisors, networks, it’s frustrating. So, I’m an MMA fan – the sport and also the business.”
For the past two years, Hearn has seen up close how difficult it is to put together deals with some of the elite boxers in the U.S. despite DAZN’s sizable bankroll. Promotional rivalries, such as Premier Boxing Champions vs. Top Rank, have not made his job any easier.
Asked if he might consider a play at MMA some day, Hearn responded in the affirmative.
“I think so, yeah,” he said. “A lot of people are asking me to do it. Whether it’s broadcasters or other organizations that would like to grow and [are] trying to rival the UFC.”
But baby steps first, Hearn added.
“It’s very difficult to rival the UFC, and if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it with all guns blazing,” he said. “I don’t want to go in and be No. 2. Being No. 1 in that space is very, very difficult, you know.
“Let me crack boxing first, and then we’ll see abut MMA.”
Canelo Alvarez’s Cinco de Mayo fight reportedly could be the next boxing event to be postponed because of the coronavirus threat.
Canelo Alvarez’s Cinco de Mayo fight could be the next boxing event to be postponed because of the coronavirus threat, according to ESPN Mexico.
Alvarez was expected to face super middleweight titleholder Billy Joe Saunders on May 2 in Las Vegas, although no announcement has been made. The sides reportedly have been ironing out final details but the pandemic has become a major factor.
“We’re taking it one day at a time,” Golden Boy Promotions’ Eric Gomez told ESPN. “We’re talking to the commission in Nevada, we’re talking to the MGM [Arena], state officials.”
The fight is only seven weeks away, meaning organizers will have to make a decision soon. However, they’re in a difficult position given the uncertainly of the crisis.
Sporting events worldwide have been postponed or canceled because of the spread of coronavirus. That includes a number of boxing events over the past the few days, both in the U.S. and around the world.
California officials have banned all combat sports until at least the end of March. Nevada reportedly has not taken that step.
Meanwhile, the NBA has suspended its season, the NCAA basketball tournaments have been canceled, Major League Baseball reportedly is considering postponing the start of its season and the list goes on.
The handlers of Alvarez and Saunders can opt for postponement, which would give them time to see how the threat plays out, but that also could impact Alvarez’s plans going forward. He reportedly was considering a third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin in September, another big boxing weekend because of Mexican Independence Day.
Alvarez last fought last Nov. 2, when he stopped Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title. Saunders knocked out Marcelo Esteban Coceres on Nov. 9.
Middleweight titleholder Demetrius Andrade and Liam Williams reportedly have entered talks for a fight as early as June.
Boxing fans are eager to see Demetrius Andrade test himself against his fellow top-tier middleweights, fighters like Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin. Instead, it appears he’ll defend his WBO title against Liam Williams.
Andrade and Williams, ranked No. 2 by the sanctioning body, reportedly have entered talks after the WBO ordered them to do so. They will have 30 days to reach an agreement or the promotion will go to a purse bid, according to BoxingScene.com.
The fight is expected to take place as early as June, possibly in Providence, Rhode Island, Andrade’s hometown.
Andrade (29-0, 23 KOs) won his title by outpointing Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018 and has successfully defended three times, but he has yet to face an elite 160-pounder.
The slick, athletic boxer is coming off a ninth-round TKO of Luke Keeler in January.
Williams (22-2-1, 17 KOs) has won six consecutive fights since he lost back-to-back bouts against Liam Smith in 2017. The Welshman knocked out Alantez Fox in five rounds in December.
“I want a world title shot without fail. If the right opportunity came, I would even move up to super middleweight,” Willliams told the BBC. “I feel like I am a world-title level fighter. I have a new lease of life, I have found my happiness again in the sport.”
Frank Warren, Williams’ promoter, confirmed that negotiations have begun.
“We are in negotiations, the fight will take place in the next 90-120 days,” Warren told the BBC. “Liam can win this fight, he can beat Andrade, I know he can.”
Robert Helenius reminded us with his dramatic knockout of Adam Kownacki that perseverance can pay off.
GOOD
Robert Helenius?
The “Nordic Nightmare” hadn’t been a relevant heavyweight for close to a decade. The tall, lean Finn was taken seriously around the time he beat in succession Samuel Peter, Sergey Liakhovic and Derek Chisora, but that was in 2011.
Since then, injuries and promotional issues ended whatever momentum he had built and periodic losses – to Johann Duhaupas, Dillian Whyte and, only eight months ago, Gerald Washington (by knockout) – prevented him from regaining it.
Indeed, how he ended up in a title eliminator against Adam Kownacki on Saturday in Brooklyn is anybody’s guess.
Well, it doesn’t matter how opportunities arise. The idea is to take advantage of them when they do. And he certainly did.
Helenius, who never gave up on himself, used guile and toughness to withstand the blanket of punches with which Kownacki smothers his opponents to score one of the biggest upsets in recent months, a fourth-round knockout before thousands of stunned Kownacki fans at the Polish-American’s home arena, Barclays Center.
Helenius, 36, said beforehand that he was as healthy as he had been in years and that he his training was going well. He said in so many words that he was embarrassed by the loss to Washington, which only made him more determined to succeed in what is probably the last stage of his career.
And he reminded us that a heavyweight – almost any heavyweight – can turn a fight in an instant because of inherent strength. He hurt Kownacki with a right hand, which caused a “slip,” and it was all downhill from there for Kownacki.
As a result, Helenius went from all-but-forgotten to a major player in the sport’s glamour division overnight. He’s the No. 1 contender for one of Anthony Joshua’s titles and in position for other lucrative matchups.
Only in boxing.
BAD
Adam Kownacki was as stunned as anyone after he was stopped by Robert Helenius on Saturday in Brooklyn. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
Live by the sword, die by the sword. Kownacki learned this lesson the hard way.
Kownacki has been willing to take punches in order to give them because he generally outpunches you, both in terms of volume and power. That has been a winning formula. The problem is that, at some point, one or two of those punches you take are going to hurt you.
That’s what happened to him on Saturday. He fell victim to both a big, strong opponent and inevitability. Helenius hurt him with that first right hand and he simply couldn’t recover.
The first loss is always hard for anyone to swallow. The fact it came by brutal knockout in Kownacki’s case will have been particularly painful emotionally.
The good news is that life and boxing careers go on. If Kownacki is smart, he will have learned a valuable lesson from the setback. He shouldn’t change who he is, a high-energy fighter who outworks his opponent almost every minute of every round. That plan of attack is what has made him effective and exciting.
At the same time, he can’t ignore defense entirely. Reckless aggression can lead to disaster, as we saw on Saturday. Dial it back just a bit. Put more emphasis on avoiding punches both in the gym and come fight time. That change could help Kownacki avoid another disaster and perhaps prolong his career.
It’s all part of the learning process. Kownacki could come back a better fighter.
WORSE
Canelo Alvarez still hasn’t announced who he will fight on May 2. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
OK, I’m ready for the incessant speculation over who Canelo Alvarez will fight on May 2 to end. I’m ready for that announcement, which is expected this week.
Don’t get me wrong. Such chatter has always been a part of boxing at its highest level. Who will fight whom? It can be fun. With Alvarez, though, it seems to go on and on … and on, with offers being made and rejected seemingly on a daily basis. Only those involved know what’s true and what’s merely rumor.
And it’s not as if the fans are going to get a payoff for the long wait.
I applauded Alvarez for moving up to light heavyweight in what turned out to be a successful attempt to take Sergey Kovalev’s title. I still think that was a bold move. The same goes for his previous fight, a real risk against Daniel Jacobs.
Unless I’m shocked, the opponent about to be announced will not have been worth the wait. Everyone seems to be convinced that Billy Joe Saunders will be lucky lottery winner. That fight makes sense in that Alvarez can add a genuine title in a fourth division with a victory. However, from a fan’s standpoint, it’s hard to get excited about Alvarez vs. Saunders.
Alvarez and Co. would’ve had to choose another top light heavyweight (Artur Beterbiev?) or a third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin to truly pique our interest. Saunders doesn’t do it.
I’ll get excited as Alvarez’s next fight approaches. I always do. He’s one of my favorite fighters. As for who he’ll fight? Let me know when the contracts are signed and the actual announcement is made. Until then, it’s just boring.
DAZN’s John Skippper met with Canelo Alvarez to discuss a three-fight plan that includes Gennadiy Golovkin in September.
A third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin could happen yet.
DAZN Executive Chairman John Skippper met with Alvarez to discuss a three-fight plan as part of the Mexican star’s 11-fight deal with the streaming service, according to a report on BoxingScene.com.
Alvarez would face, in order: Billy Joe Saunders, on May 2 in Las Vegas; Golovkin, on September 12 most likely in Las Vegas or Texas; and possibly Ryota Murata as early as December in Japan.
Golovkin likes the idea of fighting Alvarez in the fall, according to the report.
Alvarez and Golovkin fought to a controversial split-decision draw in September 2017. Most observers thought Triple-G had done enough to win. And Alvarez defeated Golovkin by a majority decision a year later.
Alvarez has said his business with Golovkin is finished but, obviously, Skipper is hoping he’ll reconsider.
