Canelo Alvarez 'likes' idea of extraordinary fight with Oleksandr Usyk

05/06/2022

Canelo vs Usyk is ON! Alvarez says he ‘likes’ the idea of an extraordinary fight that would pit boxing’s pound-for-pound king against the heavyweight master – and insists: ‘I’ll fight everyone, I don’t f***ing care!’

Eddie Hearn claimed Canelo Alvarez fancies his chances against Oleksandr Usyk
In response to the comments, Canelo has admitted he likes the idea of the bout
Usyk’s manager says he would step back to cruiserweight to fight Canelo
Boxing’s pound-for-pound king was speaking ahead of fight with Dmitry Bivol
Sign up here to watch Canelo’s fight with Bivol exclusively on DAZN

Canelo Alvarez has revealed he would be interested in an extraordinary fight with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The Mexican star is currently preparing for his second title-bout at light heavyweight level this weekend when he takes on Dmitry Bivol.

Boxing’s pound-for-pound king has previously discussed the possibility of fighting at an even higher weight, with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn claiming that Canelo fancies his chances if we were to fight Usyk.

Canelo Alvarez says he ‘likes’ the idea of facing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk

Usyk’s manager says he would be willing to step back to cruiserweight to face Canelo

Hearn told JOE: ‘He genuinely believes he can beat Usyk for the world heavyweight title.

‘He said to me, “If you can make that fight at 1lb above cruiserweight (200lbs), I will beat him.”‘

Asked for his thoughts on a bout with Usyk during his pre-fight press conference ahead of the clash with Bivol, Canelo said: ‘I like it, why not? I’ll fight everyone. I don’t f***ing care.’

The cruiserweight limit is 200lbs, and any fighter who weighs above this enters the heavyweight division.

Technically, an agreed catchweight of 201lbs could be permitted for the heavyweight world titles.

Eddie Hearn claimed Canelo feels he can beat Usyk for the world heavyweight title

Upon seeing Hearn’s comments on social media, Usyk’s manager Egis Kilmas responded in a post on Twitter.

He said: ‘Be our guest, Usyk will make Cruiserweight for this one. But let Canelo concentrate on Bivol for now.’

Before becoming world heavyweight champion with his famous victory over Anthony Joshua, Usyk dominated the cruiserweight division – winning all four major titles as undisputed king.

Canelo has previously talked up a bout with cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu.

He is already a champion in four divisions having won titles at super-welterweight (154lbs), middleweight (160lbs), super-middleweight (168lbs) and light-heavyweight (175lbs).

Usyk is unbeaten in 19 professional fights and standing at 6’3′, he would hold a huge size advantage over 5’7′ Canelo in a potential fight.

Usyk’s rematch with Anthony Joshua is expected to take place some point over the summer

Canelo was speaking out at his press conference ahead of his fight with Dmitry Bivol

Canelo has never gone above 174lbs in his career, whilst Usyk weighed 221lbs for his heavyweight title win over Joshua.

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr has warned Canelo against the idea saying that it would be a mistake.

He told iFL TV: ‘Usyk beats Canelo easy, in my opinion but Uysk is the heavyweight champion of the world.

‘Why would you go down to cruiserweight when you’re the heavyweight champion of the world?

Canelo has never gone above 174lbs in his career while Usyk weighed 221 lbs for his last fight

‘Why would you go back down to cruiserweight to fight Alvarez when you have Tyson Furys, Deontay Wilders, Anthony Joshuas? You’ve got so many big guys in the weight class that you are champion at right now that it makes no sense unless you’re making way more money.’

Canelo is expected to fight rival Gennady Golovkin in the final chapter of their trilogy later this year.

Usyk’s rematch with Joshua is expected to take place in the summer, with hopes for a potential unification bout with Tyson Fury down the road.

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