Canelo- Billy Joe Saunders fight official for May 2nd

What has been anticipated for several weeks is now apparently going to be official, Canelo Alvarez’s next title fight will be against unbeaten British Super Middleweight Billy Joe Saunders on May 2nd.

Boxing insider, Mike Coppinger of The Athletic, reported Thursday evening that the terms have been agreed to for Canelo to fight on “Cinco de Mayo” weekend in Las Vegas against against the unbeaten Saunders:

Sources: Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders have agreed to terms for a super middleweight title fight May 2 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. DAZN will stream the fight live worldwide, including in U.K. Press conference expected next week. Details:https://t.co/pDxZPepTaa

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) March 5, 2020

The announcement comes on the heels of a report earlier this week that DAZN streaming service Chief Executive John Skipper had met personally with Alvarez trying to secure the next three fights on their massive lucrative deal with the four division world champion. Skipper and DAZN were wanting to finalize the May 2nd fight to be able to announce and promote it for at least eight weeks. They can now do that.

Also reportedly, the discussion for the next fight in the 11 fight deal Canelo signed with DAZN in 2018 is a September third fight with former Undisputed middleweight champion, Gennady Golovkin. Golovkin currently holds the IBF 160 lb. title, but he suffered his first pro loss at the hands of Alvarez on a 12-round decision in September of 2018.

Boxingscene’s Thomas Hauser reported Monday that a date being discussed is September 12th, potentially back in Las Vegas or maybe even at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.

Hear us discussing Canelo, his schedule and his relationship with DAZN on the Big Fight Weekend Podcast here:

Triple G is slated to defend his IBF version of the 160 lb. title later this spring, but the fight is currently delayed because he suffered a calf injury in training.

Also from the Boxingscene.com story is the report that Japanese WBA “regular” Middleweight champion Ryota Murata is also on the radar for a potential December fight or maybe, in early 2021. That fight could be held in Japan or potentially, back in Vegas.

Alvarez with last in the ring as a Light Heavyweight on November 2nd of last year winning the WBO version of the 175 lb. title with an 11th round KO of Sergey Kovalev. It is believed this fight will be at 168 lb. where Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) holds the WBO version of that weight divisions World title.

Canelo also claimed the Undisputed middleweight Championship a year ago in May when he decision Daniel Jacobs also in Las Vegas.