“The Most Fearless Fighter I Ever Met”: Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya Sides With Canelo Alvarez on PBC Update

The heads-up on Canelo Alvarez reportedly leaving PBC appears to have jolted the boxing community. The news has yet to receive an official confirmation. However, it follows David Benavidez‘s move to the light heavyweight division to claim a stake in an interim title.

The WBC (interim) super middleweight champion had been chasing a fight with Canelo Alvarez for a long time. Quite understandably, his latest decision led a few to point fingers at the Mexican icon. But then, on the other hand, Alvarez seems to have no dearth of support either.

Eddie Hearn on Canelo Alvarez: Always Confronts the Best

FightHype’s Hans Themistode raised the Benavidez question with Eddie Hearn. The Matchroom honcho had come for the kick-off press conference of the Ryan Garcia–Devin Haney fight. It took place at New York’s Palladium Times Square. The boxing correspondent, pointing out the parallel rumors of Alvarez getting back to Matchroom Boxing and DAZN, asked whether, in lieu of David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo, fans could now expect Canelo Alvarez to go against either Edgar Berlanga or Jamie Munguia.

Themistode asked, “In your opinion, a lot of people are saying that Canelo’s taking the easier route. Do you think that Berlanga and Munguia is the easier route?” \

Eddie Hearn minced no words: “Let me tell you something about Canelo Alvarez. The most fearless fighter I’ve ever met. Trust me when I say Canelo Alvarez will fight anybody, right? He will fight Benavidez; he will fight Charlo; he will fight Munguia; he will fight Berlanga.”

The Matchroom honcho further explained that the Mexican icon rather expects his opponents to put up a strong fight instead of caving in at the first onslaught. That’s why the Jermell Charlo fight disappointed him. So what about his twin brother, the ‘Hitman’? Firstly, Hearn revealed that the fight may not be commercially viable. Secondly, there are fears of Jermall Charlo following his brother by not putting up a fight.

Finally, sharing the difficulty of fighting Terence Crawford, Eddie Hearn once again emphasized that Canelo Alvarez wants to fight boxers of caliber such as Jaime Munguia, Edgar Berlanga, and David Benavidez. Even Oscar De La Hoya seemingly came out in support of his former charge. He said, “Canelo holds all the cards; he’s a top dog.”

When asked about the Munguia fight since now it has a good chance of being made by May, the former world champion-turned-promoter said,” It all depends on Canelo.”

Strategic Matchmaking in the Offering

According to a Bleacher Report piece, reportedly both Canelo Alvarez and the PBC team could not come to an agreement on a fight with Jermall Charlo for the former’s Cinco de Mayo opener. ESPN’s Mike Coppinger tweeted a few details two days ago.

Canelo Alvarez joined PBC last year after his contract with Matchroom expired. Per the available accounts, it was a $100 million, three-fight deal with PBC. So the purported split happens after the conclusion of just one, the Jermell Charlo fight. Now, in a technical sense, the separation might leave him a free agent. Hence, if he joins Matchroom for real, the feasibility of a fight with Berlanga, promoted by Eddie Hearn, becomes very strong. At the same time, Golden Boy Promotions’ Jaime Munguia cannot be completely ruled out either.

Read More: “Next Year I Go to PBC”: Canelo Alvarez Had Foreseen His Recent Three-Fight Deal a Year Before It Happened

Do you agree with what Oscar De la Hoya and Eddie Hearn said about Canelo Alvarez? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

Also Read: Canelo Alvarez’s Awaited Tuesday Announcement Might Be About the End of His PBC Deal, IBHOF Elector Speaks Up