Boxing Rumors: Canelo Alvarez Likely To Fight On Sept. 12, Could Face British Champion

KEY POINTS

Canelo Alvarez could return to the boxing ring on Sept. 12
Golden Boy Promotions reportedly offered Callum Smith $5 million to fight Alvarez
Smith is advised to be firm on his $6 million offer or fight Billy Joe Saunders instead

Canelo Alvarez’s highly anticipated return to the boxing ring could happen in less than two months with reports circulating that he could face WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Callum Smith next. Organizers are looking at a Sept. 12 mega bout for the Mexican star's comeback as Golden Boy Promotions reportedly offered Smith $5 million to proceed with the fight on DAZN.

According to Mike Coppinger of the Athletic, the said amount is $1 million short of what the undefeated British fighter demands. Alvarez and DAZN have both expressed their strong interest to proceed with the fight against the 30-year-old champ, but the significant disparity between the guaranteed paychecks could be a telling hitch on the proposed plan.

Callum Smith has emerged as the front-runner to face Canelo Alvarez in the fall, receiving a $5 million offer, sources tell The Athletic; asking price is $6M. However, time running out to preserve coveted Sept. 12 date on DAZN, + latest on Canelo-GGG 3https://t.co/qngujj35vP
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 22, 2020

Charles Brun of Boxing News 24, in fact, claimed that Smith could angle towards fighting Billy Joe Saunders instead as it could serve the Liverpool-born boxer a better payday than a bout against Alvarez, who is expected to receive $33 million based on the offer sheet.

“OK, it sounds good, Smith getting $5 million, right? But when you subtract the starting taxes and expenses of paying for his team, Callum will likely get a lot less than that. Heck, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s left with $2 million after all the deductions,” Brun wrote.

“$2 million is good money, yeah, but when you look at the $33 million Canelo will be getting for the fight, it puts in perspective, doesn’t it?

“Whether Smith will agree to the $5 million offer is unclear. He can probably make more than that facing WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders in 2021 in Anfield in front of a large crowd, but that’ll depend on a vaccine being produced by next year.”

Smith could hold the leverage on the proposed deal as DAZN sees him as the most ideal and qualified fighter to face Canelo as compared to the “low-quality options” being considered by Golden Boy.

Boasting a 70% KO rate in his unblemished record after professional 27 fights, the British star is advised to accept an offer from the Mexican’s camp only if it meets his original price at $6 million.