By Matt Lieberman: Promoter Eddie Hearn says he’s made an initial offer to IBF 168-lb champion Caleb Plant to fight Canelo Alvarez on September 11th or 18th on DAZN.
Hearn isn’t saying how much the offer is, but it’s likely close to the $10 million that Plant (21-0, 12 KOs) has asked for to take the fight with WBA/WBC/WBO champion Canelo.
This fight is important to Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs), as it’s the undisputed championship at 168. Not surprisingly, Hearn prefers the Canelo-Plant fight to take place on DAZN rather than on FOX pay-per-view because the money is guaranteed.
With pay-per-view, it’s a gamble, and Hearn prefers not to take that gamble for the Canelo vs. Plant fight in the saturated PPV market in the U.S.
Offer made to Caleb Plant for Canelo fight
“We put an offer into Caleb Plant’s team, and we’re discussing that,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing Social about having made an offer for the September 11th fight with Canelo Alvarez.
“It’s no secret that PBC would rather do that fight on FOX. If they would, we’ve had no problems with looking at offers for that fight as well. We’ve had an offer to do that fight on DAZN, and we’ve made an offer to Plant’s team.
“I’d be surprised if Al Haymon would stop Caleb Plant from taking that fight [with Canelo on DAZN]. It’s an unbelievable opportunity.
“As I said, we’ve made that offer, that initial offer, and hopefully, we’ll hear back from them today and see if they want to make that fight for September because I’ve confirmed that’s still the #1 choice for Canelo Alvarez,” said Hearn.
Beterbiev or Bivol = backup options for Canelo
“Hopefully, we have conversations today regarding that,” said Hearn. “What I said to Saul and Eddy [Reynoso] is, ‘You obviously are the star and the A-side in this fight.
“You have to take control of the situation.’ We just have to make sure that we fight in September because he’s [Canelo] been on a tremendous run.
“For a pound-for-pound during the pandemic, to box three times in six months. If he fights in September, that’ll be four fights in ten months. It’s an incredible run, and he’s ready to go.
“If the Plant fight isn’t possible on September the 11th or the 18th, we must fight. He wants to fight a champion.
“I’ve talked to him about a voluntary defense, and it doesn’t really get him going. He’d rather do something that people don’t think he should.
“A step up to light heavyweight, you’ve got the two names, although you’ve got Joe Smith as well, the two names that stand out are Beterbiev and Bivol.
“Those are two tremendous fights. We have a close relationship with Bivol. Beterbiev is with Top Rank.
“I believe he was planning on fighting Joe Smith, but we’ll have to see what happens there.
“But I do believe if the Plant fight doesn’t materialize, you’ll probably see him [Canelo] move up and fight one of those champions because that’s what he wants to do.
“I do expect him to fight another champion at 175 if the Plant fight can’t be made,” said Hearn.
Hearn wants Jermall Charlo to fight Andrade
“With regards to the Charlo fight, no problems,” said Hearn when asked if Canelo would be interested in fighting Jermall Charlo if the Plant fight fails to materialize.
“He does want to fight a champion. I think with Charlo; you got Charlo and Demetrius Andrade both calling out Canelo.
“For me, just fight you two. It’s the obvious fight to make. Charlo against Andrade is a tremendous match-up, and that’s the kind of fight that could take one of those two to the Canelo Alvarez fight,” said Hearn.
