Canelo and Plant talks uncertain says Hearn
The unification negotiations between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant are uncertain.
Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
Credit: Stephanie Trapp/ TGB Promotions
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) is in talks to fight Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) this September. This fight is the next objective on Canelo’s assault of the super middleweight division. His most recent opponent was Billy Joe Saunders of Great Britain, whom the Mexican boxer defeated in May. The fight broke indoor attendance records with 73,126 fans there to witness Canelo KO Saunders and win the WBO title.
With Canelo holding three of the four titles, it is evident that his next target would be Plant, the current IBF titleholder. Canelo, who has been a free agent since his split from Golden Boy late last year, has been taking full advantage of his status as the most recent face of boxing, and it is unlikely for him to bow down to unfavorable terms.
There is currently no deal in place, and promoter Eddie Hearn and Canelo are considering other opponents for the 3-division champion.
”There’s conversations to be had over the next sort of three, four, or five days, and it needs to gather pace,” Hearn said in an interview with the DAZN Boxing Show. “I don’t think there’s anything negative to say about it.”
“This is clearly the fight Canelo Alvarez wants,” Hearn said in that same interview. “He wants to become undisputed champion. But at the same time, September is his date, you know, and if the Plant fight’s not available now and has to be made in December or whatever, I think Canelo’s mindset is: ‘I want to keep the momentum that I have right now.’”
Before these negotiations, Plant said that he is not afraid to ask for a number that he feels is his due, in an interview with Seconds Out.
“I’m not trying to price myself out,” Plant said “Maybe there’s a misconception — I’m not looking to price myself out of a fight that I want and a fight that I know in my heart that I can win. But I also don’t want to get anything less [than I’m worth]”
Plant is seen as a weaker opponent for Canelo as, despite his perfect record, he has not fought any significant opponents. Saunders was Canelo’s most challenging opponent as his unorthodox style forced the Mexican fighter to adapt more. Plant, on the other hand, is precisely the style of boxer that Canelo excels against.
If the deal does go through the super middleweight division will have its first undisputed champion.