Plant (21-0, 12 KOs), a native of Ashland City, Tennessee, and Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs), a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, will box to become the first fully unified 168-pound champion in boxing’s four-belt era. Canelo Alvarez has reignited talks with Caleb Plant’s representatives for a first-ever four-belt unification bout at 168 pounds in November, Alvarez’s trainer-manager Eddy Reynoso told The Athletic Friday. As the two battled it out in front of a jam-packed Las Vegas crowd, Plant eventually succumbed to Alvarez’s power via 11th round knockout. Canelo Alvarez punches Billy Joe Saunders during their fight for Alvarez’s WBC and WBA super-middleweight titles and Saunders’ WBO super middleweight title at AT&T Stadium on May 08, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. The 168-pound unification showdown between Alvarez and Saunders will take place at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. While the fights mark a return to DAZN for Alvarez, who had once signed the fighter to a 10-fight deal with more than $365 million, it is expected the streaming platform will place them as pay-per-view events on top of the standard subscription fees, a significant change for a platform that once pitched itself as a pay-per-view killer. Although the official fight information has not yet been released, the contest will likely be available to stream on the DAZN streaming service in the United Kingdom.
At the time of stoppage, all three judges scoring from ringside had their contest extremely close. The fight would be the third meeting between Alvarez and GGG following a pair of thrilling decisions in PPV blockbusters that included a disputed draw in 2017 and a close Alvarez win the following year. Boxing's top star signed an 11-fight, $365 million deal with DAZN in 2018 shortly after he defeated GGG in a September rematch that headlined HBO PPV. But the W put a middleweight belt back around Golovkin’s waist, one of the things Canelo kept saying GGG would need to fight him again. He felt the need to cross the line, so that’s how it started. The Loft is one of four organisations assisting to distribute the funds. With COVID restrictions a major issue last year -- and even in the early part of this year -- promoters found it difficult to find the funds necessary to stage many of the biggest matchups in boxing. Unfortunately, Canelo hasn’t fought anyone in many years that had an even chance of beating him.
Mayweather, Pacquiao, Canelo: Who is the greatest boxer of last 30 years? Boxing fans are hoping that Canelo breaks the mold and starts fighting quality opposition once again because he’s been taking it easy for the last three years. Reynoso emphasized Friday that “we are free agents and go fight by fight” and have no interest in doing a two-fight package with Haymon, who also represents potential Alvarez opponents in middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and unbeaten former WBC super-middleweight champion David Benavidez. The first stop on Plant’s redemption trail appears to be a showdown against fellow former titlist, Anthony Dirrell. With the rest of his fellow champions spread across numerous parts of the world, Plant was ecstatic as he sat back and watched Canelo Alvarez do all the heavy lifting. Plant’s only other bout this year was against Caleb Truax, with the American winning via unanimous decision after going the distance with his fellow countryman. The American faces the toughest test of his career against the pound-for-pound king in the sport, as his Mexican opponent eyes unifying yet another division at super middleweight.
Both Canelo and Plant hold versions of the world super-middleweight titles and will collide inside the squared circle next month, with the victor walking away with all the belts and will be known as the king of the 168lb boxing division. Murata is far from an elite opponent, but he carries name recognition, a middleweight title, and most importantly, is a major star in Japan where the fight will take place. By Matt Lieberman: The negotiations between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant are reportedly starting again for an undisputed 168-lb clash that could take place in November. Beterbiev and Smith are both power punchers. Beterbiev and Smith are scheduled to meet in June for the WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles. Despite being the world’s No. 1 boxer, there are many who believe Bivol is the boxer most capable of delivering an upset to the Mexican superstar, adding intrigue to the potential May 7 showdown.