Canelo has reportedly split from Al Haymon’s PBC and has two potential opponents lined up
On February 26th, on X, Michael Benson tweeted the following news: “Canelo Alvarez has reportedly now “mutually agreed” to split from Al Haymon’s PBC as they couldn’t agree terms for a Jermall Charlo fight on May 4th. It’s claimed that Canelo may now face Edgar Berlanga in May and Jaime Munguia in September. [According to @MikeCoppinger].
The talkSPORT Online Boxing Editor further added his opinion, “Have to see who Canelo Alvarez fights next before we can really judge, but the Dmitry Bivol defeat may well have changed his attitude to future career planning.
“He certainly seems more risk-averse since that loss and it appears that gone are the days of free agent Canelo running through champion after champion. Understandable at this stage of career, but still, 2018-2021 Canelo was special.”
Super-middleweight sensation Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17KO) defeated Irishman Padraig McCrory (18-1, 9KO) at the weekend, and instantly called for Saul Alvarez next.
Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that he is aiming to negotiate that fight, between Alvarez and Berlanga, which comes as a disappointment to many fight fans, who had wished to see David Benavidez get the shot.
However, 27-year-old “Mexican Monster” Benavidez has already given up all hope of ever fighting the undisputed super-middleweight ruler and moved up to light-heavyweight to challenge Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1, 16KO) for the vacant WBC Interim light-heavyweight title.
Reactions:
“The biggest duck in boxing history, Benavidez has been his mandatory for like 2 years now.”
“Boxing fan lose again smh. Politics keeps ruining the sport.”
“Are they even making excuses anymore for ducking Benavidez?”
“Ducknelo doesn’t want the smoke with Benavidez. By default, Benavidez is the king of 168 and has already defeated Ducknelo mentally and submitted him into fear and hiding! Benavidez will now move up to 175 and onto better things, maybe even the guy who schooled Ducknelo, Bivol.”
“Good riddance. Canelo vs. Charlo was never an attractive fight. The only PBC fight we want to see is Canelo vs. Benavidez and it’s clear we’re not getting that in May or possibly September. With that being said, public demand will only continue to grow if both men continue to win. Canelo’s exit routes are quickly disappearing. By 2025 the noise will be too loud for Canelo to ignore.”