News, notes and observations as we head into weekend where cruiserweights take center stage …
- ESPN reported this week that Canelo Álvarez is weighing a pair of offers for his next fight: A one-fight deal with PBC that would see Álvarez defend his super middleweight titles against Jermall Charlo and a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing. It would begin with a light heavyweight title fight against Dmitry Bivol and end with a showdown against longtime rival Gennadiy Golovkin. Álvarez isn’t in any rush: he doesn’t intend to fight until May and he will likely be keeping an eye on Saturday’s cruiserweight fight between Junior Makabu and Thabiso Mchunu. And there’s a chance Álvarez could split the proverbial baby, accepting a one-fight deal from PBC before moving back to Matchroom to face Golovkin. A Charlo-Canelo fight is marketable, and a third fight with Golovkin remains one of the biggest fights in boxing. Stay tuned.
- Middleweight titleholder Demetrius Andrade intends to move up to 168-pounds, sources familiar with the situation decision told Sports Illustrated. Andrade, who has held a version of the middleweight title since 2018, has been frustrated by an inability to secure a top flight opponent. Faced with being forced to face mandatory challenger Janibek Alimkhanuly Andrade will instead move up. Andrade’s team is attempting to work out a deal to face Zach Parker, a top ranked contender at 168, with the winner becoming the mandatory for one of the super middleweight title held by Canelo Álvarez. It’s unclear if Andrade will be forced to immediately vacate his 160-pound title, though Alimkhanuly’s team plans to pursue either an interim or a vacant title, with his team preferring a matchup with Chris Eubank Jr., who will be in action in the UK on February 5th.
