By Sean Jones: Saul Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) announced on Friday that he’ll be challenging World Boxing Association ‘regular’ super middleweight champion Rocky Fielding (27-1, 15 KOs) for his title on December 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s still unknown which network will be televising the Canelo vs. Fielding fight in the U.S, but the match will be shown in the UK on Sky
There’s still no word if Canelo, 28, will insist on a catch-weight handicap for the Fielding. Canelo has been fond of using catch-weights for most of the last five years of his career. If Canelo insists on boiling down the tall 6’1″ Fielding to 164.5 pounds like he did with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2017, it would give him an advantage. Of course, Canelo wouldn’t get as much credit for beating the 31-year-old Fielding if he uses a catch-weight, but I’m sure he’ll sleep at night. Canelo didn’t mind being criticized for using catch-weights in his fights against Miguel Cotto, Erislandy Lara, Alfredo Angulo, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and James Kirkland. He probably won’t mind having Fielding boil down to 164.5.
“With great emotion I announce my next fight. Next December 15 at the MSG in New York. Taking a big challenge in my career and representing the WBC as champion of the 160 lbs now I will fight for the world title for the 168 lbs vs Rocky Fielding current WBA champion! 🥊🥊🚨 It is with great pleasure I announce my next fight to be held December 15th at Madison Square Garden in NYC, taking another great challenge in my career and representing the WBC as the 160 lb champion. I will fight for the 168 lb Title against the current WBA champion Rocky Fielding!”
This could mean that Canelo is going to be with Eddie Hearn’s DAZN. If this turns out to be true, it would be a huge addition for the British promoter Hearn in getting Canelo to sign with his Matchroom Boxing USA promotion to fight on DAZN, because right now, Hearn only has a small handful of fighters that the U.S boxing fans care about.
“Rocky Fielding will be defending his WBA title against Canelo Alvarez at Madison Square Garden, December 15th,” said Eddie Hearn to IFL TV. “It’s a ferry tale fight for Fielding, and now he fights one of the biggest names in boxing. Eric Gomez [of Golden Boy Promotions] called me a couple of weeks ago and said, ‘We’re interested in a fight with Fielding.’ He’s stepping up to super middleweight. He’d like to win a title up there.’ It’s a massive opportunity for Rocky, and he’s grabbed it with both hands,” Hearn said.