Canelo Alvarez won the man of his dreams in the end.
Sources told ESPN that Caleb Plant, the top boxing star, and PBC have reached an agreement to fight in November. The fight will be presented by Canelo Promotions.
This deal concludes weeks of negotiations between ESPN's No. Al Haymon, founder of the PBC, and 1 pound-for-1 boxer Al Varez. Alvarez, who has three 168-pound titles and Plant, who is the owner of the other belt, will be fighting for the title of undisputed super middleweight champion.
The fight was initially scheduled for September 18 in Las Vegas. However, it fell through at the last minute. Alvarez entered negotiations for Dmitry Bivol's light heavyweight title challenge, but before any deal could be made, the Mexican legend decided to postpone his return to Mexico until November in order to focus on a full training camp here.
Alvarez, 31 years old, also wanted to be focused on the man he had always wanted: Plant. Canelo's desire to be undisputed is more important than the man.
Alvarez (56-1, 38 KOs), shattered Billy Joe Saunders’ orbital bone in May and a ninth-round TKO for a third 168-pound title, he sent a message to Plant, "I'm coming my friend."
Plant (12 KOs, 21-0), ESPN's No. Plant (21-0, 12 KOs), ESPN's No. 3 boxer at168 pounds, is the first Haymon champ to get a chance at Alvarez. But he may not be the last. According to sources, the deal between Canelo & PBC is only for one fight. However, there are reasons to believe Alvarez will continue to face boxers from the stable. David Benavidez is ESPN's No. PBC's No. 2 super middleweight is also aligned with Jermall Charlo (the middleweight champion who plans on jumping to 168 at some point).
Alvarez's three previous fights were streamed live on DAZN, and promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom. Sources say that although Hearn will not be participating in the promotion of this event, he is expected to work for Canelo Promotions.
Plant, a Nashville native of 29 years old, thought he had struck a deal last month with Alvarez after he agreed to a purse in excess of $10 million. Plant said to ESPN that he was more interested in his bark than his bite after the pact fell apart.
Plant stated that Alvarez would be earning more than $40m (a career record) in addition to Mexican TV revenue and his Hennessy sponsorship. Plant stated that the Canelo side insisted on a specific contingency plan.
He said, "If I get sick or hurt, then he gets late replacement for the same amount guaranteed money. But if he's sick or injured, then then we have to wait for him."
Sources said that if there was no suitable replacement for Sept. 18, the event would be cancelled rather than rescheduled.
The differences were sorted out this time.
Alvarez will be undisputed. Plant will also have his chance to be undisputed. Plant will want more than that: to prove that he is not only the best in the world, but also to win his first legitimate challenge.
