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Canelo Alvarez vs. Eubank Jr. In The Works, Fans Unhappy – ‘Disgraceful Fight'

hasib

5 July 2024

Canelo Alvarez is in negotiations to fight Chris Eubank Jr. for his upcoming fight.

Reports indicate that the Mexican is moving away from the other two front runners, Edgar Berlanga and Jermall Charlo. Berlanga was considered the favorite, given he has a Puerto Rican fanbase that help sell a big PPV on Mexican Independence Day. Meanwhile, Charlo was in the running to face Canelo previously.

However, his brother Jermell Charlo took the bout after Jermall was not ready. Jermall had been out of the sport for more than two years with mental health issues. That changed when he returned last year to beat Jose Benavidez Jr. Those names have not been received well, with fans wanting the David Benavidez fight.

Canelo vs. Eubank Jr.

The Mexican Monster is the current WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion. He has held the mandatory position for over two years. So far, the WBC has not called the mandatory or stripped Canelo, leaving Benavidez frustrated. Alvarez has been ordered to face his IBF mandatory William Scull. A deal has been agreed upon, but it appears to be a step-aside deal as Canelo is looking for a bigger name.

A fight with Eubank Jr. will sell in the UK primarily due to the Brit’s big fanbase. He has fought on PPV and is coming off an impressive win. Since teaming up with Brian McIntyre, Eubank has looked like a different fighter, even if only for one fight. He knocked out Liam Smith in their rematch, avenging the first loss. Eubank Jr. has been chasing the big names for some time, with GGG escaping him. But by facing Canelo, he gives himself the chance of winning all the belts.

"The British Chris Eubank Jr. joined the list of possible rivals for Canelo and is now the favorite to close an agreement. He was world middleweight champion and has a record of 33-3 with 24 KOs. He has just knocked out Liam Smith, a former victim of the Jalisco, in revenge," Salvador Rodríguez said

Should It Happen?

Nevertheless, the news suggests that fans will not get the Benavidez fight. Canelo has already said he wants $200 million to make that fight. No one is realistically willing to put up those numbers, depriving fans of the biggest fights. The Saudis are reluctant to do so, with a preference for making a fight with Terence Crawford instead.

Canelo has previously stated that he has nothing else to prove in the sport. He drew parallels with the criticism he faced before boxing GGG. The Mexican was accused of ducking The Khazak. While Canelo did box him three times, some felt that GGG had been robbed of a win in their first fight when it was declared a draw. Based on his prior comments, a Benavidez fight is not the priority.

"Maybe it’s one of the biggest fights, who knows. But you know, he brings nothing to he table for me, he just brings 25 pounds on the night of the fight. But I feel if some promoter, not him because he’s not in a position to offer anything me any money, I’m the one, but if one promoter who I work with, if they offer $150m-$200m, I fight tomorrow. That’s the only reason I fight with him, the only thing he brings to the table is 25 more pounds," Canelo said