Canelo Alvarez will fight Callum Smith in December: report

Canelo Alvarez reportedly will fight super middleweight titleholder Callum Smith in December.

Callum Smith might’ve just hit the jackpot.

ESPN, citing sources close to negotiations, is reporting that Canelo Alvarez has decided to fight the super middleweight titleholder from England in December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. A specific date has not been determined, although organizers are targeting Dec. 18, 19 or 20.

It has been presumed that Alvarez will fight on pay-per-view television going forward.

Alvarez will be fighting for the first time since he stopped Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title in November of last year.

Smith, from Liverpool, holds the WBA 168-pound title, meaning he would represent an opportunity for Alvarez to win a major title in a fourth division. The Mexican holds a secondary super middleweight title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize.

They could also fight for the vacant WBC title, although that hasn’t determined.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) will fighting for the first time since he split with Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, meaning he’ll be acting as his own promoter. Smith is promoted by Eddie Hearn, who is affiliated with DAZN.

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is 6-foot-3, seven inches taller than Alvarez. The Liverpudlian will also have a 7½-inch reach advantage. Both fighters are 30 years old.

[lawrence-related id=15410,15339,15048]

Canelo Alvarez will fight Callum Smith in December: report

Canelo Alvarez reportedly will fight super middleweight titleholder Callum Smith in December.

Callum Smith might’ve just hit the jackpot.

ESPN, citing sources close to negotiations, is reporting that Canelo Alvarez has decided to fight the super middleweight titleholder from England in December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. A specific date has not been determined, although organizers are targeting Dec. 18, 19 or 20.

It has been presumed that Alvarez will fight on pay-per-view television going forward.

Alvarez will be fighting for the first time since he stopped Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title in November of last year.

Smith, from Liverpool, holds the WBA 168-pound title, meaning he would represent an opportunity for Alvarez to win a major title in a fourth division. The Mexican holds a secondary super middleweight title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize.

They could also fight for the vacant WBC title, although that hasn’t determined.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) will fighting for the first time since he split with Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, meaning he’ll be acting as his own promoter. Smith is promoted by Eddie Hearn, who is affiliated with DAZN.

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) is 6-foot-3, seven inches taller than Alvarez. The Liverpudlian will also have a 7½-inch reach advantage. Both fighters are 30 years old.

[lawrence-related id=15410,15339,15048]

Canelo Alvarez becomes free agent, eyes fight with Caleb Plant

Canelo Alvarez’s manager announced that the Mexican star has severed ties to Golden Boy and DAZN and is now a free agent.

Canelo Alvarez is now his own man.

Eddy Reynoso, his manager and trainer, announced that Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions have agreed to part ways, which evidently also frees him from his affiliation with DAZN. The separation takes effect today.

And the three-division titleholder, who hasn’t fought since November of last year, is wasting no time restarting his career. ESPN is reporting that Alvarez is targeting a Dec. 19 return against super middleweight titleholder Caleb Plant, although nothing has been finalized.

Plant is affiliated with Premier Boxing Champions, a rival of Golden Boy.

“In my role as manager and coach of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, I allow myself to communicate to the boxing community and to all our fans, that starting today, November 6th, “Canelo” becomes a free agent, so we are ready to continue with his boxing career,” Reynoso said in a statement.

“All this time we have been working very hard in the gym with a lot of responsibility and discipline, to be in great physical shape and ready to fight this year and it will be!

“We will announce date, rival and place very soon, and we will return stronger than ever to keep growing and showing that Mexican boxing is the best.”

Neither Golden Boy nor DAZN has made public comments.

Alvarez sued his handlers for breach of contract on Sept. 15 for at least $280 million in damages and freedom to go his own way. The suit was thrown out of court on a technicality and then refiled, although the sides engaged in extension negotiations in an attempt to reach an agreement.

DAZN reportedly had refused to pay him his full guarantee unless he fought what the streaming serviced deemed a premium opponent. That included Gennadiy Golovkin but not super middleweight titleholders Billy Joe Saunders or Callum Smith, who are top-level fighters but not the type of draws DAZN seeks.

After the lawsuit was filed, DAZN reportedly offered Alvarez a restructured deal by which the fighter would earn a base of $20 million plus a percentage of money generated by additional DAZN subscriptions, according to The Athletic. Alvarez’s original contract guaranteed him $35 million per fight.

The offer also addressed the issue of opponent approval, which reportedly would be shared under the restructured deal.

However, in the end, efforts to salvage the relationship failed and the sides agreed to sever ties. The 11-fight, $365 million deal Alvarez signed in 2018 is dead. Now he’s free to fight who, when and where he pleases for top pay-per-view dollar.

Alvarez last fought in in November of last year, when he stopped Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title.

Canelo Alvarez becomes free agent, eyes fight with Caleb Plant

Canelo Alvarez’s manager announced that the Mexican star has severed ties to Golden Boy and DAZN and is now a free agent.

Canelo Alvarez is now his own man.

Eddy Reynoso, his manager and trainer, announced that Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions have agreed to part ways, which evidently also frees him from his affiliation with DAZN. The separation takes effect today.

And the three-division titleholder, who hasn’t fought since November of last year, is wasting no time restarting his career. ESPN is reporting that Alvarez is targeting a Dec. 19 return against super middleweight titleholder Caleb Plant, although nothing has been finalized.

Plant is affiliated with Premier Boxing Champions, a rival of Golden Boy.

“In my role as manager and coach of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, I allow myself to communicate to the boxing community and to all our fans, that starting today, November 6th, “Canelo” becomes a free agent, so we are ready to continue with his boxing career,” Reynoso said in a statement.

“All this time we have been working very hard in the gym with a lot of responsibility and discipline, to be in great physical shape and ready to fight this year and it will be!

“We will announce date, rival and place very soon, and we will return stronger than ever to keep growing and showing that Mexican boxing is the best.”

Neither Golden Boy nor DAZN has made public comments.

Alvarez sued his handlers for breach of contract on Sept. 15 for at least $280 million in damages and freedom to go his own way. The suit was thrown out of court on a technicality and then refiled, although the sides engaged in extension negotiations in an attempt to reach an agreement.

DAZN reportedly had refused to pay him his full guarantee unless he fought what the streaming serviced deemed a premium opponent. That included Gennadiy Golovkin but not super middleweight titleholders Billy Joe Saunders or Callum Smith, who are top-level fighters but not the type of draws DAZN seeks.

After the lawsuit was filed, DAZN reportedly offered Alvarez a restructured deal by which the fighter would earn a base of $20 million plus a percentage of money generated by additional DAZN subscriptions, according to The Athletic. Alvarez’s original contract guaranteed him $35 million per fight.

The offer also addressed the issue of opponent approval, which reportedly would be shared under the restructured deal.

However, in the end, efforts to salvage the relationship failed and the sides agreed to sever ties. The 11-fight, $365 million deal Alvarez signed in 2018 is dead. Now he’s free to fight who, when and where he pleases for top pay-per-view dollar.

Alvarez last fought in in November of last year, when he stopped Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title.

Sergey Kovalev avoids jail time, gets probation in assault case

Sergey Kovalev won’t be going to prison. The former light heavyweight titleholder pleaded guilty to allegations he became violent with a woman who rebuffed his advances and kicked her dog in 2018 in Big Bear, Calif., TMZ is reporting. However, he …

Sergey Kovalev won’t be going to prison.

The former light heavyweight titleholder pleaded guilty to allegations he became violent with a woman who rebuffed his advances and kicked her dog in 2018 in Big Bear, Calif., TMZ is reporting.

However, he reportedly cut a deal with prosecutors and a felony charge was dropped. He was convicted of misdemeanor charges and sentenced to three years probation. He’s also required to complete an anger management course.

The victim, Jamie Frontz, said she met Kovalev at a gym-opening event and went to her rental cabin, where they began kissing. However, when he became overly aggressive, she said he pulled away and later punched her.

She claims she suffered a broken nose, concussion and cuts.

Frontz also has a civil case pending. She sued Kovalev for $650,000, which she claims he promised to pay her after the incident.

[lawrence-related id=5132]

Sergey Kovalev avoids jail time, gets probation in assault case

Sergey Kovalev won’t be going to prison. The former light heavyweight titleholder pleaded guilty to allegations he became violent with a woman who rebuffed his advances and kicked her dog in 2018 in Big Bear, Calif., TMZ is reporting. However, he …

Sergey Kovalev won’t be going to prison.

The former light heavyweight titleholder pleaded guilty to allegations he became violent with a woman who rebuffed his advances and kicked her dog in 2018 in Big Bear, Calif., TMZ is reporting.

However, he reportedly cut a deal with prosecutors and a felony charge was dropped. He was convicted of misdemeanor charges and sentenced to three years probation. He’s also required to complete an anger management course.

The victim, Jamie Frontz, said she met Kovalev at a gym-opening event and went to her rental cabin, where they began kissing. However, when he became overly aggressive, she said he pulled away and later punched her.

She claims she suffered a broken nose, concussion and cuts.

Frontz also has a civil case pending. She sued Kovalev for $650,000, which she claims he promised to pay her after the incident.

[lawrence-related id=5132]

Anthony Yarde knocks out Dec Spelman in Round 6

Light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde stopped Dec Spelman in the sixth round Saturday in London.

Anthony Yarde took care of Dec Spelman on Saturday night in London. Now it’s on to a bigger challenge, Lyndon Arthur.

Yarde stopped Spelman in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout, the Londoner’s second consecutive knockout since he was stopped in 11 rounds by then-titleholder Sergey Kovalev in August of last year. He KO’d journeyman Diego Ramirez in February.

The fight on Saturday was competitive for five rounds, as Yarde demonstrated no urgency in unleashing his considerable power.

Then, in Round 6, he stepped up the pressure. He landed a series of punishing blows until Spelman finally went down. He was able to get back to his fit but wasn’t fit to continue, prompting referee Michael Alexander to stop the fight. The official time was 2:42.

Spelman (16-5, 8 KOs) had never been stopped.

“This win meant a lot,” Yard said afterward. “I was sharp. Everyone knew about last year with the Kovalev fight, everyone knows my ambition. I’m still inexperienced. I’m being more patient, being defensively responsible.

“When I want to open up I can, but it’s about learning in the ring, working the jab, getting back into defensive position after the shots.”

Yarde (20-1, 19 KOs) is now expected to face the unbeaten Arthur (17-0, 12 KOs) for the Commonwealth title as soon as next month, although no date or site has been set.

Yarde was in talks to face Arthur earlier this year but the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport.

“I’m ready to fight whenever,” Yarde said. “Obviously (coronavirus) has impacted everything and we’re hearing about a second wave. I’m just staying in the gym, staying ready.”

Anthony Yarde knocks out Dec Spelman in Round 6

Light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde stopped Dec Spelman in the sixth round Saturday in London.

Anthony Yarde took care of Dec Spelman on Saturday night in London. Now it’s on to a bigger challenge, Lyndon Arthur.

Yarde stopped Spelman in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout, the Londoner’s second consecutive knockout since he was stopped in 11 rounds by then-titleholder Sergey Kovalev in August of last year. He KO’d journeyman Diego Ramirez in February.

The fight on Saturday was competitive for five rounds, as Yarde demonstrated no urgency in unleashing his considerable power.

Then, in Round 6, he stepped up the pressure. He landed a series of punishing blows until Spelman finally went down. He was able to get back to his fit but wasn’t fit to continue, prompting referee Michael Alexander to stop the fight. The official time was 2:42.

Spelman (16-5, 8 KOs) had never been stopped.

“This win meant a lot,” Yard said afterward. “I was sharp. Everyone knew about last year with the Kovalev fight, everyone knows my ambition. I’m still inexperienced. I’m being more patient, being defensively responsible.

“When I want to open up I can, but it’s about learning in the ring, working the jab, getting back into defensive position after the shots.”

Yarde (20-1, 19 KOs) is now expected to face the unbeaten Arthur (17-0, 12 KOs) for the Commonwealth title as soon as next month, although no date or site has been set.

Yarde was in talks to face Arthur earlier this year but the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport.

“I’m ready to fight whenever,” Yarde said. “Obviously (coronavirus) has impacted everything and we’re hearing about a second wave. I’m just staying in the gym, staying ready.”

WBC schedules purse bid for Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirm fight

The WBC has scheduled a purse for a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim for its vacant 168-pound title.

The WBC evidently is pushing for a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim for its vacant super middleweight title.

The sanctioning body has scheduled an Alvarez-Yildirim purse bid for Sept. 21. Negotiations are open until then. Any promoter – including Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Alvarez – could take part in the bidding if it comes to that.

It’s not clear how Alvarez could take part in the fight given his relationship with the streaming service DAZN, with which he has a contract.

Alvarez yesterday field a federal suit against Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy and DAZN for breach of contract. The fighter is seeking at least $280 million in damages and wants his freedom from the promotional firm and streaming service.

The WBC 168-pound title became vacant when David Benavidez failed to make weight for his defense against Roamer Alexis Angulo on Aug. 15.

Alvarez hasn’t fought since he stopped Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a light heavyweight title in November.

[lawrence-related id=13667,13662,13024,12994]

WBC schedules purse bid for Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirm fight

The WBC has scheduled a purse for a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim for its vacant 168-pound title.

The WBC evidently is pushing for a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim for its vacant super middleweight title.

The sanctioning body has scheduled an Alvarez-Yildirim purse bid for Sept. 21. Negotiations are open until then. Any promoter – including Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Alvarez – could take part in the bidding if it comes to that.

It’s not clear how Alvarez could take part in the fight given his relationship with the streaming service DAZN, with which he has a contract.

Alvarez yesterday field a federal suit against Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy and DAZN for breach of contract. The fighter is seeking at least $280 million in damages and wants his freedom from the promotional firm and streaming service.

The WBC 168-pound title became vacant when David Benavidez failed to make weight for his defense against Roamer Alexis Angulo on Aug. 15.

Alvarez hasn’t fought since he stopped Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a light heavyweight title in November.

[lawrence-related id=13667,13662,13024,12994]