Get Ready For Canelo-Yildirim Everyone
Canelo Alvarez is one of the most sought after fighters to be taken on in the ring and so much so that a myriad of names is challenging the now four-division champion. Those names start with Gennady Golovkin, Billy Joe Saunders, Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo, and even welterweight Errol Spence. Too bad all of those names will have to wait in the meantime as we may have signs at who Canelo is in action next with.
Avni Yildirim.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) mandatory challenger Yildirim is the next man up for Alvarez by all accounts. That contest would be taking place as soon as February per WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán.
“When David Benavidez did not make weight [and was stripped of his title in August], Canelo Alvarez immediately contacted the WBC. He wanted to win the WBC super-middleweight title,” said Sulaimán to a group of reporters Tuesday. “He wants to defend against the mandatory contender in Avni Yildirim at the beginning of the year. We’ll be in communication with him soon.”
Canelo Eyeing WBC Mandatory vs. Avni Yildirim In February, WBC Prez Confirms https://t.co/JeJ1G17mE3 pic.twitter.com/EHpPlYQPzX
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) December 23, 2020
Yildirim was last seen in action losing to Anthony Dirrell back in February 2019 at the Armory in a fight that was stopped due to a nasty gash suffered from a clash of heads. Yildirim lost the contest by a split decision.
We all should’ve known this fight was happening once the vacant WBC belt was put in play last week.
“Canelo and Callum will give the world a superb closing of a difficult year and will make fans from around the world celebrate with much entertainment and enjoyment. I would like to personally praise Avni Yildirim for his exemplary collaboration to make this a reality,” Sulaiman said in the release before the Canelo-Smith fight.
Yildirim’s “collaboration to make this a reality” is now that matchup to take place in February of next year. The names at the top of this story are going to have to wait for a matchup, possibly after this one around Cinco De Mayo, a date that Canelo has fought on more often than not (except this year, of course).
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
