Sources familiar with the matter have disclosed to ESPN that discussions are underway between Canelo Alvarez and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) for a potential reunion. This comes in the wake of the recent split between the two parties, with two fights remaining on a three-fight deal inked back in June.
Alvarez, widely regarded as boxing’s premier attraction, is reportedly in negotiations with PBC for a pay-per-view bout on May 4th against fellow Mexican pugilist Jaime Munguia in Las Vegas.
Initially slated for an undisputed super middleweight championship defense against Jermall Charlo in May, Alvarez found himself at odds with PBC over the terms of the matchup. This impasse granted him the contractual liberty to explore alternative avenues.
While discussions initially gravitated towards a return to the streaming service DAZN for matchups against Munguia and Edgar Berlanga, negotiations hit a snag. Consequently, Alvarez, ESPN’s fourth-ranked pound-for-pound boxer, re-engaged with PBC.
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that Alvarez, aged 33, is contemplating one- and two-fight deals with PBC, with a customary preference for fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend in September.
Alvarez’s previous encounter with Jermell Charlo, which saw him emerge victorious via unanimous decision in September, marked the commencement of his three-fight partnership with PBC.
Initially earmarked as the first opponent, Jermall Charlo withdrew due to personal reasons. Subsequently, Jermell stepped in, with Jermall and Errol Spence Jr. looming as potential opponents for subsequent bouts, until Spence’s defeat by Terence Crawford in July altered the landscape.
Jermall’s lackluster performance in a decision win against Jose Benavidez Jr. in November further dampened the appeal of an Alvarez-Charlo matchup for May.
This paved the way for a potentially more lucrative showdown with Munguia, whose recent triumph over John Ryder showcased his burgeoning prowess under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Since Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s retirement in 2017, Alvarez has ascended as boxing’s marquee attraction, boasting wins over Gennadiy Golovkin and titles across four weight classes. The clamor for Alvarez to face rising sensation David Benavidez is palpable, though negotiations have yet to materialize.
Reflecting on the situation, Benavidez remarked to ESPN last week, “Him parting ways with PBC, even though this fight for me and him was on the table … it just speaks volumes. … The reason why this fight is not happening is because Canelo doesn’t want it to happen, plain and simple.”
PBC’s stable is anchored by star pugilist Gervonta Davis, who is slated to return against Frank Martin this summer. Additionally, PBC’s inaugural event with Amazon’s Prime Video is scheduled for March 30th in Las Vegas, headlined by Tim Tszyu versus Keith Thurman in a pay-per-view extravaganza.
