Rumors surrounding a potential matchup between Mexican boxing icon Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and British fighter Chris Eubank Jr. have been officially dismissed. Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s manager, has publicly refuted any possibility of an upcoming fight with Eubank, countering recent media speculation that negotiations were underway for a match in May.
Reynoso clarified that Eubank Jr. had previously been considered for a fight against Alvarez on September 14 but that the negotiation process became complex due to Eubank’s demands. “Eubank had his chance to fight Canelo in September, and all he did was complicate negotiations. We will not contact him again for a future fight!” Reynoso stated, dispelling any further speculation.
The timing of Reynoso’s announcement followed an underwhelming performance from Eubank Jr., who, despite his win, showed signs of rust in his latest fight on October 12 against Kamil Szeremeta after a 13-month hiatus. This, coupled with Eubank’s reputation for fighting less competitive opponents, casts doubts on his viability as a high-profile opponent for Alvarez.
For his next fight, Alvarez is reportedly looking toward tougher competitors. The current favorites include the newly crowned undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, or the victor of the January 25 match between David Benavidez and David Morrell. The idea of a Beterbiev-Alvarez showdown, however, hinges on an exception from the IBF that would delay Beterbiev’s mandatory defense against Michael Eifert.
Alvarez’s fans, particularly those in the U.S., are eager for him to face higher-caliber boxers, avoiding criticism that his recent matchups have lacked intensity. In his last bout, Alvarez decisively defended his WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga, further solidifying his reputation.
As Alvarez contemplates his return to the 175-pound division, the spotlight remains on Beterbiev, Benavidez, and Morrell as potential opponents, each bringing the kind of challenge that fans are eager to see.
