Hearn discloses Canelo next fight plans including clash with Brit

Eddie Hearn has revealed that Canelo Alvarez will face British boxer John Ryder before he rematches Dmitry Bivol later next year. Canelo is expected to return to the ring in May after undergoing surgery on his wrist following the Gennady Golovkin trilogy.

The former pound-for-pound king fell to defeat for the second time during his 62-fight professional career against Bivol in May 2022 and is determined to run it back. Canelo was comfortably outgunned by his larger foe after making the jump to 175lb to challenge for Bivol’s WBA crown.

The Mexican wants to box Bivol at light heavyweight next year but before then the undisputed super-middleweight champion will have to face his WBO mandatory, Ryder.

“John [Ryder] is the mandatory challenger, it’s the perfect fight for Saul to what he says ‘run-out’ before Dmitry Bivol,” promoter Hearn told The DAZN Boxing Show. 

“I’ll come back in May in a tune-up fight, just to see how the hand feels,” he added, “and then in December the rematch with Bivol. It’s the only thing I want right now in my career,” he said of a second match with Bivol.

Another fight that has been rumoured for Canelo is a showdown with fellow Mexican David Benavidez. There had been allegations made against Canelo that he is ‘avoiding’ the fight with Benavidez after he released a video stating that ‘he doesn’t want to fight Mexicans’, but Canelo has assured fans he will fight the WBC interim champion once he improves his resume.

“Guys, always I say this, you show that video and put whatever you want,” said Canelo. “When I say I don’t wanna fight Mexican, it’s because I represent Mexico and that’s why. But I don’t care, I’ll fight anybody, and I fight my entire life anybody. What do you think I don’t wanna fight with one Mexico, Benavidez.

“But look, I hear his dad talking a lot of s**t. Look (at) his accomplish, nothing, one single champion Anthony Dirrell. Please don’t disrespect myself, please guys.”