SAUL ‘CANELO’ ALVAREZ loves bashing up British boxers and is now apparently eyeing a Wembley Stadium showdown versus another Brit next year.
Having already claimed the scalps of Matthew Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Liam Smith, Amir Khan and, most recently, Rocky Fielding, Alvarez, the new WBA super-middleweight champion, quite likes the idea of fighting Callum Smith, the full WBA super-middleweight champion, in 2019.
Not only that, he seems quite receptive to the prospect of fighting his second Smith brother in London, England – specifically, at Wembley Stadium.
Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya said: “Canelo is the biggest name in boxing and we are looking abroad to build him into a global superstar.”
Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy, added: “We are now very open to going to the UK, probably to fight Callum.”
Should Alvarez vs. Smith happen, it would represent the Mexican’s first foray as a professional outside North America.
Why Callum Smith? Well, Smith holds the superior version of the WBA super-middleweight crown following his seventh-round stoppage win over George Groves in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in September. What’s more, he would likely jump at the chance to gain revenge for his brother, Liam, and, in the process, pocket the kind of cash windfall a football stadium date with Canelo would surely guarantee.
The undercard for January 19 show at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, is starting to take shape.
Headlined by Manny Pacquiao vs. Adrien Broner, the bill will also now feature a WBA interim light-heavyweight title fight between Badou Jack, a two-division world champion, and unbeaten contender Marcus Browne, as well as a vacant WBC bantamweight title fight between former world champion Rau’shee Warren and France’s Nordine Oubaali.
Sweden-born Jack, now 35, hasn’t boxed since drawing against Adonis Stevenson in May and is seemingly now settled as a light-heavyweight after winning the WBC title, and beating the likes of Lucian Bute, George Groves and Anthony Dirrell, down at super-middleweight.
Browne, meanwhile, is a 28-year-old American, unbeaten in 22 fights, who has done everything right so far as a pro but is yet to rack up a standout victory. A win over Jack, of course, would see to that deficit immediately.
Also taking place on January 19 is the meeting of old amateur rivals Oubaali and Warren. Oubaali defeated Warren at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and will look to do the same, some six years later, with a WBC bantamweight title at stake.
“After several date changes we have finally secured this long-awaited fight, which will be explosive with Warren looking for revenge,” said Oubaali, 14-0 (11).
“Since we fought at the Olympics, he has become WBA champion and IBO champion but today it’s another story. I’ve already decided to take the belt home for my country, my heritage and for everyone who supported me from the beginning.
“Nothing has been easy in this quest for the world title, but we have always stood up to the challenges and now we are going to the USA to bring back the title.”
