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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez during his unanimous decision win over Daniel Jacobs in their middleweight unification fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez during his unanimous decision win over Daniel Jacobs in their middleweight unification fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The kingpin of boxing, and the best pound-for-pound star, Canelo Alvarez, has no intentions of cooling his engine down. Post a sensational win over Britain’s Callum Smith in December, Alvarez is getting aligned for his next bout. He will step inside the ring on February 27, in Miami for his WBA and WBC title defense.
The Mexican boxer will contend with Avni Yildirim for his mandatory title defense at the super-middleweight division.
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Mike Coppinger of The Athletic reported this and took it to his official Twitter handle. Saul Alvarez has inked a deal with Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn. The fight will broadcast on DAZN and other PPV cable networks except for Mexico.
Sources tell @TheAthletic Canelo Alvarez has agreed to a deal with Matchroom Boxing for a Feb. 27 super middleweight title defense vs. Avni Yildirim at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The event will be streamed globally on DAZN (except in Mexico)
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) January 20, 2021
Post this fight, Canelo is speculated to take on Billy Joe Saunders ‘ for the WBO 168-pound belt. Ever since his dominant win over Smith, the 30-year-old has cemented his plans to stay at this division. He wants to keep himself super-busy this year, to cope up with his lengthy in-ring hiatus in 2020.
Alvarez seems to have set his sights on becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champion, and he’ll look to accomplish the same by year-end.
Yildirim is a staunch opponent, and Canelo will look to terrify him and progress towards his goals.
Read – Canelo Alvarez to Fight Twice in 4 Months – May Face Billy Joe Saunders After Mandatory
Is Avni Yildirim an easy opponent for Canelo Alvarez?
Although Yildirim ended up on the losing side in his last bout, he is a mandatory challenger for the title. He defended the belt in his last bout, but was on the wrong end of a split decision against Anthony Dirrell.
In a chat with ESPN, he said, “I know my opponent well. Of course, Canelo is one of the best in the world. But I know my value, and now the entire world will see who Avni Yildirim is.”
Undeniably, Canelo will walk into this fight as a favorite, but underestimating Yildirim can prove to be costly. The Turkish boxer will look forward to reclaiming his 168-pound belt, whereas Alvarez will go full throttle to defend his hard-earned prize.
Who will you be supporting when the duo collide on February 27?
