Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will attempt to become a two-time light-heavyweight world champion this weekend (May 7) when he takes on WBA ruler Dmitry Bivol in Las Vegas.
Pound-for-pound superstar Canelo is already the undisputed champion at super-middleweight, and has already claimed earlier career titles in middleweight and super-welterweight. But there are still a few ambitions left to check off his career list.
“I’ve already spoken to Canelo about coming to England to fight next year,” said promoter Eddie Hearn during an Instagram Live session around the 31-year-old’s previous outing against Caleb Plant last November. “And he would love to do it, love to fight in England.”
Canelo has a collection of wins over Brits Ryan Rhodes, Matthew Hatton, Amir Khan, Billy Joe Saunders, Rocky Fielding, and Callum and Liam Smith. Yet all of those fights took place in the United States and U.K. fans would clamor to see Alvarez’s sublime skills first-hand.
MORE: Join DAZN to watch Canelo vs. Bivol
If all goes to plan this year and Canelo is able to beat Bivol and set up a trilogy fight against Gennadiy Golovkin - probably at super-middleweight - there would be a feasible gap in his schedule to cross the Atlantic and square off in an arena fight before the end of 2022.
The Sporting News looks at some of Canelo's prospective dance partners.
John Ryder
Popular London puncher Ryder (31-5) has had an up and down career but has hit a fine vein of form since stepping up to super-middleweight in 2017. In his first fight at 168 pounds, he dropped a split decision to Fielding. His only reverse in eight outings since was a disputed points defeat to Callum Smith in the latter’s final bout before facing Canelo.
Ryder enjoyed a career-best win in February, edging out ex-world champion and another former Canelo foe Daniel Jacobs on an emotional night at Alexander Palace. The 33-year-old certainly enjoyed the benefit of the doubt with the judges on that occasion to put himself in contention for a huge fight.
Joshua Buatsi
Canelo appears very comfortable campaigning at two weights simultaneously right now and, if he wants to return to light-heavyweight after facing Golovkin again, then there are some intriguing match-ups to be made from Britain’s 175-pound division. None more so than 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Buatsi.
MORE: Canelo Alvarez taking potential trilogy fight vs. Gennadiy Golovkin personally: 'Don't f— with me'
The richly talented 29-year-old has arguably endured frustratingly slow progress since turning pro, but this is in part down to anticipation over how high his ceiling might be. Buatsi is 15-0, with 13 wins inside the distance and he is on a run of 10 consecutive KOs heading into what could be the most significant test of his career to date.
Craig Richards
Richards will be in the other corner when Buatsi makes his first appearance of 2021 at the O2 Arena later this month. As his nickname suggests "The Spider" is an awkward night’s work for anybody.
A record of 17-2-1 might not be anything to get terribly excited about, but Richards acquitted himself well in a unanimous decision loss to Bivol at Manchester Arena last year. The South Londoner was only down by one and two points on two of the cards as he proved he had a future at world level. Buatsi is more obviously in the frame for a Canelo fight, but Richards can turn all that on its head by emerging victorious in a couple of weeks from now.
Chris Eubank Jr.
Eubank has not campaigned at super-middleweight since sending James DeGale into retirement in February 2019, and promoter Kalle Sauerland said last month that the 32-year-old had agreed to a catchweight below the middleweight limit to face Kell Brook.
MORE: Canelo Alvarez net worth: Purse history, career earnings for professional champion boxer
Nevertheless, Eubank (32-2) would surely jump at the chance to test himself against Canelo and, alongside his coach and all-time boxing great Roy Jones Jr, he would bring additional star quality to any build-up. All the other fighters on this list would likely be respectful opponents grateful for the opportunity. With pay-per-view buys a consideration, the more outspoken and brash Eubank might be a more attractive proposition financially.
When is Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol?
- Date: Saturday, May 7
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET
- Main event: Midnight ET (approx.)
Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol will take place Saturday, May 7. The main event is expected to begin around midnight ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol
- Live stream: DAZN
The Canelo vs. Bivol main card will air on DAZN, which will show the fight via a special pay-per-view format.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol PPV price: How much does the card cost?
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 in the U.S., $20 in Canada, £7.99 in the U.K.
- DAZN annual subscription: $99.99 in the U.S., $150 in Canada
Because it is a pay-per-view event, the fight will cost $59.99 for current subscribers and $79.99 for new subscribers.
Customers in the U.K. can sign up for DAZN for £7.99 per month.
You can also order the event in the U.S. via iNDEMAND: PPV.com ($24.99).
