The Canelo Masterplan for 2021
Brit Billy Joe Saunders has been listed as a frontrunner for Canelo's annual Cinco de Mayo fight
Coach and manager Eddy Reynoso has laid out the plans he has formulated together with Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez for 2021.
Four-weight ruler and P4P No.1 Canelo Alvarez (54-1-2, 36KOs) defeated WBA World super-middleweight champion Callum Smith (27-1, 19KOs) in his last fight on December 19 with relative ease over 12-rounds at the Aladrome in Texas. As well as world supremacy, the Mexican superstar also claimed the vacant WBC World title and the coveted Ring Magazine belt with the 57th win of his glittering career.
Now, all eyes turn towards the biggest name in boxing's next move, with a whole host of options available to the 30-year-old, now in his 16th year as a professional boxer.
Next Fight – February 27
World champion trainer Eddison Omar Reynoso revealed what most people already knew, “First we have to fulfill the commitment we made when we beat Callum Smith. The winner of that fight had to defend against mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in no more than 90 days.
“For now, we are talking with Eddie Hearn to be able to fight on the 27th.”
Homecoming Hopes
He added what he knew of the location of that intended fight, “We want to make the fight in Mexico, but it is difficult due to the current situation of the pandemic. If people cannot enter the stadiums, which is what we want, I see it as complicated, but it is our idea to go to our land, to Guadalajara. If not, we could go back to Texas where there was a great response.”
Cinco de Mayo
Eddy then continued to disclose the options possible for Canelo's traditional annual appearance on Mexico's May 5 celebration weekend, “Then, if we do well in that fight, by May there are guys like Billy Joe Saunders, Gennadiy Golovkin and Caleb Plant we can face.”
Canelo vs Saunders
Willing opponent Billy Joe Saunders (30-0, 14KOs) also recently reiterated his desire to fight Canelo, after initially agreeing terms to meet on May 2, 2020, but the mouthwatering clash and biggest payday of his career was thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Canelo's team tried in vain to reschedule the bout for September 12, but the Brit withdrew, publicly stating he refused to be treated as a 'stepping stone'.
Signed to Matchroom Boxing, two-weight WBO World champion Saunders declared his desire to face Demetrius Andrade in February, followed by Canelo in May.
Canelo and Saunders last fought in December, just two weeks apart, each earning a points win. If they fight in February as intended, then their momentum – providing they win their respective fights – will make for one of the biggest, most anticipated fights of the year.
As soon as Canelo despatched of Smith a few days before Christmas, talk of Canelo vs Saunders immediately ensued on social media channels, with many believing the Brit has the right style to win against the pound-for-pound star.
31-year-old Saunders told IFL TV on his 2021 wish list: “I’m supremely confident of knocking Andrade out cold. I love boxing southpaws, I love fighting someone with his style. I’ve got a very good track record against southpaws. I would love to give him a hiding.
“I don’t want to be sitting around. Let Canelo do his thing. If he’s fighting in February, I would love to fight him in May, but if he thinks I’m going to be sitting around until May twiddling my thumbs, he’s got another thing coming. I’m not going to be doing that. I’m back in the gym, I’m in shape, let’s get it on. Let’s stop beating around the bush and waiting around.”
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