Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s next dance partner is still yet to be decided as it appears Dmitry Bivol negotiations have stalled. Canelo, who defeated John Ryder just over a month ago, made it clear that his intention was to rematch Bivol again at the higher weight of 175 pounds after his homecoming in May.
“We are trying to make the Bivol fight, that is what they want.” Said Canelo’s promoter Eddie Hearn in an exclusive interview with ProBox TV. “If we can’t make the Bivol fight we will have to come up with some other options for him, but that is still the intention.”
I added that the negotiations had stalled due to Bivol wanting the fight at 168, with Canelo wanting the rematch at 175 pounds.
“But then Canelo is thinking, I don’t want to bring you down to 168 and not get the respect of victory, so yeah that’s what are we dealing with.” Hearn replied.
Newly signed Matchroom ticket seller Edgar Berlanga has started to see his name paired with the Mexican superstar since his link-up with Hearn. The New York native takes on Ireland’s Jason Quigley at Madison Square Garden in less than two weeks time.
“I think he would have to ice Quigley in unbelievable style to even be in the hat.” Hearn replied to if Berlanga had any real hope of meeting Canelo for his next fight. “But, I think he needs one more fight [after Quigley]. Let’s see how he goes June 24 at Madison Square Garden.”
It has been five years since the British based promotional company hit America on a mission to expand their boxing empire armed with DAZN's $1 billion war chest. The acquisition of boxing’s biggest star the most notable piece of business on foreign soil.
“Things are good [in America], really solid.” Hearn explained. “At first we were a bit all over the place. We got a great team there, we got a great schedule. We are New Orleans next week with Regis [Prograis], we are in New York, Madison Square Garden with Berlanga the week after, then we are in Detroit a couple of weeks after. I like what we are doing, we are learning all the time. We are developing a really nice brand presence there where people know a lot more about Matchroom, people know a lot more about me because of Canelo obviously. We got a really good vibe going on over there.”
