Tag: WBC

Canelo Alvarez back to courting Billy Joe Saunders, Callum Smith

Canelo Alvarez evidently has circled back to Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in his search for an opponent.

Canelo Alvarez evidently has circled back to Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in his search for an opponent.

DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Alvarez, are working on a fight between the Mexican superstar and one of the British super middleweight titleholders in November or December, BoxingScene.com has reported.

They haven’t settled on a specific date but, according to the website, they prefer November. The fight is expected to take place in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Alvarez had agreed to fight Saunders on May 2 but that fight gave way to COVID-19 before contracts were signed. Alvarez then targeted Sept. 12 for his next fight but problems ensued.

One, offers were made to prospective opponents but none accepted. And, two, Alvarez and DAZN reportedly have been at odds over the amount of money he would be paid for the fight, expected to take place without spectators.

DAZN has ponied up $40 million licensing fees for Alvarez fights, from which the purses of Alvarez and his opponent have come. The streaming service reportedly offered about half that amount for Alvarez’s next fight, which apparently caused an impasse.

DAZN presumably is coming in with a higher figure for the renewed talks, which could lead to a deal.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) last fought on Nov. 2 of last year in Las Vegas, when he stopped Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a light heavyweight title.

Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) is coming off an 11th-round stoppage of Marcelo Coceres last Nov. 9 in Los Angeles. He holds the WBO 168-pound title.

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) defeated John Ryder by a unanimous decision on Nov. 23 in Liverpool. He’s the WBA super middleweight champ. Alvarez stopped Rocky Fielding in three rounds in 2018 to win what the WBA calls its “regular” 168-pound title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize.

The WBC ordered a fight between Alvarez and No. 1 contender Avni Yildirim for its vacant super middleweight title. However, DAZN, with which Alvarez has a contract, refused to stream it.

[lawrence-related id=13024,12994,12984,12320]

Canelo Alvarez back to courting Billy Joe Saunders, Callum Smith

Canelo Alvarez evidently has circled back to Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in his search for an opponent.

Canelo Alvarez evidently has circled back to Billy Joe Saunders and Callum Smith in his search for an opponent.

DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Alvarez, are working on a fight between the Mexican superstar and one of the British super middleweight titleholders in November or December, BoxingScene.com has reported.

They haven’t settled on a specific date but, according to the website, they prefer November. The fight is expected to take place in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Alvarez had agreed to fight Saunders on May 2 but that fight gave way to COVID-19 before contracts were signed. Alvarez then targeted Sept. 12 for his next fight but problems ensued.

One, offers were made to prospective opponents but none accepted. And, two, Alvarez and DAZN reportedly have been at odds over the amount of money he would be paid for the fight, expected to take place without spectators.

DAZN has ponied up $40 million licensing fees for Alvarez fights, from which the purses of Alvarez and his opponent have come. The streaming service reportedly offered about half that amount for Alvarez’s next fight, which apparently caused an impasse.

DAZN presumably is coming in with a higher figure for the renewed talks, which could lead to a deal.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) last fought on Nov. 2 of last year in Las Vegas, when he stopped Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a light heavyweight title.

Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) is coming off an 11th-round stoppage of Marcelo Coceres last Nov. 9 in Los Angeles. He holds the WBO 168-pound title.

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) defeated John Ryder by a unanimous decision on Nov. 23 in Liverpool. He’s the WBA super middleweight champ. Alvarez stopped Rocky Fielding in three rounds in 2018 to win what the WBA calls its “regular” 168-pound title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize.

The WBC ordered a fight between Alvarez and No. 1 contender Avni Yildirim for its vacant super middleweight title. However, DAZN, with which Alvarez has a contract, refused to stream it.

[lawrence-related id=13024,12994,12984,12320]

Report: DAZN not interested in Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim fight

The WBC has ordered a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim for its vacant 168-pound title but DAZN doesn’t want to stream it.

DAZN evidently doesn’t like the sound of a Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim fight.

A day after the WBC ordered an Alvarez-Yildirim fight for its vacant 168-pound title, BoxingScene.com is reporting that the streaming service is not willing to pony up the funds to showcase that fight.

Alvarez has a long-term contract with DAZN.

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the sanctioning body but doesn’t have the following or reputation to stir interest as the “B” side to Alvarez. The Turk is a solid fighter but nowhere near the class of Alvarez. He was stopped in three rounds by Chris Eubank Jr. in 2017 and lost a technical decision to Anthony Dirrell in February.

Alvarez evidently still wants to wants to fight this year but will have to find an opponent with whom both he and DAZN are comfortable. He has courted a number of viable foes – including titleholder Callum Smith — but no deal has been struck.

Also, it’s not clear whether DAZN will pay Alvarez what he demands to step back into the ring amid the coronavirus pandemic. BoxingScene reported that DAZN has offered him roughly half of the $40 million he received for his fights against Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev.

Thus, Alvarez’s immediate fate remains uncertain.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) stopped Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a light heavyweight title last November, his most-recent fight.

The WBC title became vacant when then-beltholder David Benavidez failed to make weight before his 10th-round stoppage of Roamer Alexis Angulo this past Saturday. Yildirim was expected to face the winner of that fight for the belt.

Report: DAZN not interested in Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim fight

The WBC has ordered a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim for its vacant 168-pound title but DAZN doesn’t want to stream it.

DAZN evidently doesn’t like the sound of a Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim fight.

A day after the WBC ordered an Alvarez-Yildirim fight for its vacant 168-pound title, BoxingScene.com is reporting that the streaming service is not willing to pony up the funds to showcase that fight.

Alvarez has a long-term contract with DAZN.

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the sanctioning body but doesn’t have the following or reputation to stir interest as the “B” side to Alvarez. The Turk is a solid fighter but nowhere near the class of Alvarez. He was stopped in three rounds by Chris Eubank Jr. in 2017 and lost a technical decision to Anthony Dirrell in February.

Alvarez evidently still wants to wants to fight this year but will have to find an opponent with whom both he and DAZN are comfortable. He has courted a number of viable foes – including titleholder Callum Smith — but no deal has been struck.

Also, it’s not clear whether DAZN will pay Alvarez what he demands to step back into the ring amid the coronavirus pandemic. BoxingScene reported that DAZN has offered him roughly half of the $40 million he received for his fights against Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev.

Thus, Alvarez’s immediate fate remains uncertain.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) stopped Kovalev in 11 rounds to win a light heavyweight title last November, his most-recent fight.

The WBC title became vacant when then-beltholder David Benavidez failed to make weight before his 10th-round stoppage of Roamer Alexis Angulo this past Saturday. Yildirim was expected to face the winner of that fight for the belt.

WBC orders fight between Canelo Alvarez, Avni Yildirim for 168-pound title

The WBC has ordered a match between Canelo Alvarez and No. 1-ranked Avni Yildirim for its vacant super middleweight title.

Canelo Alvarez might’ve found his next opponent.

The World Boxing Council Board of Governors voted 36-1 Tuesday to order a match between Alvarez and No. 1-ranked Avni Yildirim for the vacant WBC super middleweight title, the WBC tweeted.

No other details were provided. No date, no site, no information on whether the camps and the streaming platform DAZN like the idea.

“More details will be available in days to come,” was all the WBC said.

Alvarez, desperately seeking a viable opponent, might’ve caught a break when then-WBC titleholder David Benavidez lost his belt on the scale going into his fight with Roamer Alexis Angulo last Saturday.

That created a title vacancy. And Alvarez was among those who expressed interest in filling it.

An Alvarez-Yildirim fight isn’t as sexy as other possible matchups but it’s solid. Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) was set to fight the winner of the Benavidez-Angulo fight for the title before Benavidez failed to make weight.

The Turk’s only losses came against Chris Eubank Jr. in 2017 (KO 3) and Anthony Dirrell in February of last year (TD 10).

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) is coming off an 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev to win the WBO light heavyweight title this past November.

WBC orders fight between Canelo Alvarez, Avni Yildirim for 168-pound title

The WBC has ordered a match between Canelo Alvarez and No. 1-ranked Avni Yildirim for its vacant super middleweight title.

Canelo Alvarez might’ve found his next opponent.

The World Boxing Council Board of Governors voted 36-1 Tuesday to order a match between Alvarez and No. 1-ranked Avni Yildirim for the vacant WBC super middleweight title, the WBC tweeted.

No other details were provided. No date, no site, no information on whether the camps and the streaming platform DAZN like the idea.

“More details will be available in days to come,” was all the WBC said.

Alvarez, desperately seeking a viable opponent, might’ve caught a break when then-WBC titleholder David Benavidez lost his belt on the scale going into his fight with Roamer Alexis Angulo last Saturday.

That created a title vacancy. And Alvarez was among those who expressed interest in filling it.

An Alvarez-Yildirim fight isn’t as sexy as other possible matchups but it’s solid. Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) was set to fight the winner of the Benavidez-Angulo fight for the title before Benavidez failed to make weight.

The Turk’s only losses came against Chris Eubank Jr. in 2017 (KO 3) and Anthony Dirrell in February of last year (TD 10).

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) is coming off an 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev to win the WBO light heavyweight title this past November.

Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell: Purse-bid hearing set

The WBC has ordered a purse-bid hearing for the proposed Ryan Garcia-Luke Campbell fight.

The fate of a proposed bout between Ryan Garcia and Luke Campbell for the WBC’s “interim” lightweight title has become murkier.

Negotiations between Garcia and Campbell, which began early last month, have gone nowhere and exceeded a deadline set by the WBC. Thus, the sanctioning body a purse bid hearing for Aug. 11, according to BoxingScene.com.

In other words, whomever is willing to spend the most money after the hearing will promote the fight if the sides can reach an agreement.

Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs), one of the fastes-rising stars in the sport, is promoted by Golden Boy. Matchroom Boxing handles Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs), a two-time title challenger and 2012 Olympic gold medalist.

The fighters can still avoid the purse bid if they can come to terms before the purse bid goes into effect.

The winner of Garcia-Campbell would be expected to face Devin Haney, who holds a secondary WBC title.

Devin Haney puts his 135-pound rivals on notice

Devin Haney gives his thoughts on what lies ahead for him in the stacked lightweight division.

Devin Haney has watched from the sidelines as those below him in the lightweight rankings have tried to figure out who they will be fighting next.

As it stands, it looks as if Javier Fortuna will take on Jorge Linares for what the WBC calls its “diamond belt.” And Luke Campbell and Ryan Garcia are in negotiations to fight for the WBC “interim” title, with the winner to face Haney.

The WBC calls Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) it’s 135-pound champion but he’s positioned below “franchise” champion Vasiliy Lomachenko. Haney last fought on Nov. 9, when he shut out Alfredo Santiago at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Here are Haney’s thoughts on what’s going on around him and how he fits in amid the coronavirus pandemic:

“I’m excited to get back in the ring. This has been the longest time between fights in my career. My body received a well-deserved rest. I’m blessed. Lately, I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time with ‘TBE’ Floyd Mayweather. Being compared to Mayweather is the ultimate compliment for any fighter in this era of boxing.

“I’m the most skilled fighter in the world right now and I’m looking forward to an opponent I can make a statement against. I’m working diligently with Mauricio Sulaiman and the WBC to make the big fights happen. Every decision made by the WBC hasn’t went my way, but I have a genuine love and respect for the WBC family as a whole. I’m proud to represent the WBC organization.

“Vasyl Lomachenko is a true professional and considered to be a top five pound-for-pound champion. I challenged him for the WBC lightweight world title and I didn’t get the big fight I wanted, but I got the belt I deserved by stopping Zaur Abdullaev and becoming Vasyl Lomachenko’s mandatory challenger to the lightweight world title.

“Ironically, the big fight never happened because Lomachenko and Top Rank petitioned the WBC not to fight me and award him the franchise title. I then petitioned the WBC to elevate me from interim champion to full world champion because Lomachenko chose not to fight me and I had previously beat the highest ranked fighter available.

“Let’s make this clear: You can’t win the franchise title and you can’t challenge a franchise champion. I’m 21-years old, and I’m the WBC world lightweight champion, and I believe in fighting mandatory challengers. The 135-pound unification runs through me. Enough said!

“At this point in my career I don’t mind mandatories at all because it forces the best fighters in my division to get in the ring with me. They can run but they can’t hide. Mandatory for me means mandatory cash. It’s good to be in a stacked division. If I can, I’m going to fight all of them.

“I hope Teofimo Lopez beats Loma and then fights me in a unification for all the belts like he promised Mauricio Sulaiman. To me it looks like Luke Campbell is looking forward to the opportunity of getting beat up by me more than Ryan Garcia is looking forward to it. I’m guessing, in Ryan’s defense, he’s never lost so he’s moving a little different and trying to stay undefeated, but I … think Eddie Reynoso and Golden Boy really don’t want him to fight me yet. Luke is accustomed to losing big fights, we know he’s come up short more than once. …

“As far as Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis? I don’t like throwing water on a drowning man but leaving a stacked 135-pound division, to take a fight at super featherweight kind of tells you where he’s at. It’s no secret I’m a problem at 135 pounds. I know Jose Ramirez ain’t sleeping good at night either. He got Haney at 140 pounds or Terence Crawford at 147 pounds. Problems to think about.

“I don’t wish that on anybody. Josh Taylor is an easier fight for Ramirez then me or Bud, but it’s still a tough 50-50 fight. Ramirez is out here looking like food on the low. This pandemic is something we’ve never seen. It’s tough on everyone around the world. We’ve all been in quarantine for the last few months, including myself, and fortunately staying at home is the best place to be. Similar in many ways to training camp.

“I pray to God things get back to normal soon. I’m anxious to get back in the ring as soon as the experts give the green light. I want all the smoke.”

 

Ryan Garcia has agreed to fight Luke Campbell: report

The Athletic is reporting that Ryan Garcia has agreed to fight Luke Campbell for the WBC’s “interim” title and talks will begin immediately.

So much for Emmanuel Tagoe.

The Athletic is reporting that Ryan Garcia has agreed to fight Luke Campbell for the WBC’s “interim” title and talks will begin immediately, with the winner to face Devin Haney for another WBC title.

No date or site has been reported. It would be streamed by DAZN.

The WBC last week ordered the fight, after which Garcia Tweeted: “I’m finally getting to fight a southpaw my favorite fighters to fight! Bring it on luke Campbell.”

The WBO announced today that it ordered a lightweight title eliminator between Garcia and Emmanuel Tagoe but, if The Athletic’s report is accurate, Garcia has decided to go a different direction.

Campbell and Garcia are ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in the WBC rankings, behind Javier Fortuna. Fortuna is planning to face Jorge Linares for yet another WBC belt.

Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) has more name recognition and high-level experience than Tagoe. The southpaw from England won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics and has twice fought for major titles, losing decisions to Linares (SD) and Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD).

A victory over Campbell would represent a significant step forward in Garcia’s career, particularly if he can score a knockout. Campbell has never been stopped.

Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) is developing a reputation as a KO artist. He has stopped his last two opponents in the first round, including a classic one-punch stoppage of Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14.

Tagoe (31-1, 15 KOs) is a good boxer with an impressive record but he has fought outside his hometown of Accra only once, a ninth-round stoppage of journeyman Gerardo Robles in 2013. He’s a question mark.

Lomachenko, the WBC’s “franchise” champion, is scheduled to face IBF 135-pound titleholder Teofimo Lopez in what presumably would be a title-unification bout on Sept. 19.

 

 

Ryan Garcia and Emmanuel Tagoe ordered by WBO to begin negotiations

The WBO has ordered a lightweight title eliminator between Garcia and Tagoe, giving the sides 20 days to reach an agreement.

First Luke Campbell. Now Emmanuel Tagoe. Ryan Garcia apparently has a decision to make.

The WBO has ordered a lightweight title eliminator between Garcia and Tagoe, giving the sides 20 days to reach an agreement. That follows an order by the WBC for Garcia to begin negotiations for an “interim” title fight against Campbell, with the winner to face Devin Haney for another WBC belt.

The promoters of Garcia and Tagoe received the following letter from the WBO, which can be found on its website:

“Please be advised the parties have twenty (20) days upon receipt of this letter to negotiate and reach an agreement regarding the WBO Lightweight Elimination Contest between WBO Lightweight Participants Ryan Garcia and Emmanuel Tagoe. If an accord is not reached within the time frame set forth herein, a Purse Bid will be ordered pursuant with the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

“The minimum acceptable bid for the WBO Lightweight Division is $150,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand) dollars. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process. The parties are hereby advised that this Committee reserves the right to issue all necessary rulings regarding sanction approval of this bout and/or determinations to maintain active the WBO Lightweight Division.”

Garcia and Tagoe are ranked Nos. 1 and 2 by the WBO, respectively. Cambell and Garcia are Nos. 2 and 3 in the WBC rankings, behind Javier Fortuna. Fortuna is planning to face Jorge Linares.

Campbell and Tagoe would both be legitimate tests for the fast-rising Garcia, who has stopped his last two opponents in the first round.

Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) has better name recognition and more high-level experience than Tagoe. The southpaw from England won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics and has come up short in two title challenges, losing decisions to Jorge Linares (SD) and Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD).

Tagoe (31-1, 15 KOs) is a good boxer with an impressive record but he has fought outside his hometown of Accra only once, a ninth-round stoppage of journeyman Gerardo Robles in 2013. He’s a question mark.

The lightweight title picture is a mess even by frustrating sanctioning body standards. Lomachenko is the WBO and WBA titleholder and holds what the WBC calls its “franchise” belt. Haney fits in below Lomachenko in the WBC hierarchy. Gervonta Davis holds what the WBA calls its “regular” title.

Lomachenko is scheduled to face IBF 135-pound titleholder Teofimo Lopez in a title-unification bout on Sept. 19.