Tag: May 2

Callum Smith accepts fate, moves on from Canelo Alvarez

Callum Smith said he has given up on the idea of being Canelo Alvarez’s opponent on May 2.

Callum Smith is moving on.

Amid expectations that an announcement about Canelo Alvarez’s opponent for May 2 is imminent, only one thing is certain: It won’t be Smith.

Smith told Sky Sports that he got an offer, said no and never heard from Alvarez’s representatives again.

“I’m disappointed,’’ Smith said.’’ It wasn’t a fight I ever believed that I’d get. But to get an official offer, you start thinking of ways to beat him. It was a fight I wanted.’’

Instead, Smith believes Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) will fight fellow U.K. super middleweight Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs). There were multiple reports Thursday that deal was done. As of Sunday, however, there still had been no formal announcement.

“Good luck to Billy Joe,’’ Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) said.  “I hope he goes out and does it. But I don’t think they ever really wanted me anyway. They were just covering their own backs. They made one offer. It was the first and last I heard. They have been negotiating with Billy Joe for the past few weeks. I don’t believe it was close to being done.

“… We’re both world champions but I’m No 1 in the division. Billy Joe is a good fighter who has paid his dues. I believe that I’m the tougher fight for Canelo but we’re both world champions, so we’re both tough for him.”

Ben Davison will have conflict if Canelo chooses Saunders

Ben Davison trains Billy Joe Saunders and Josh Taylor, who both could end up fighting on May 2. Davison would have to make a choice.

Ben Davison wants to know who Canelo Alvarez will fight on May 2 as much as anyone.

He might have to make a tough choice.

Davison trains Billy Joe Saunders, long rumored to be Alvarez’s likely opponent for a super middleweight bout in Las Vegas. ESPN Deportes reported Thursday that an announcement is imminent, perhaps within 24 hours.

Davison just wants to know. He’s also the new trainer for junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor, who is already scheduled to make a title defense against Thai Apinin Khongsong in Glasgow, Scotland, also on May 2.

“As it stands, it’s not an issue,’’ Davison told iFL TV. “There’s not a clash of dates.’’

As of Thursday afternoon, at least, there wasn’t.

“We have spoken about it,’’ said Davison, Tyson Fury’s former trainer. “If I get a phone call to say it is done, we do have a clash of dates. But we have things in place.’’

Davison would not say which corner he would work if Saunders gets the big-money date against Alvarez. Callum Smith, another U.K. super middleweight, is the other possibility. Money has been a factor in the lengthy negotiations.

Saunders and Smith reportedly have asked for $12 million, light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev’s purse for his knockout loss to Alvarez on Nov. 2 in Las Vegas. Alvarez’s representatives have been offering $7.5 million, according to multiple reports.

Davison also said he had no idea whether Saunders would be Alvarez’s choice.

“The public thinks we know six weeks before,’’ Davison said.  “We don’t. We’re like everybody else. We’ll probably know the night before it is announced.”