Canelo Alvarez has revealed a possible battle with Jake Paul may nonetheless occur sooner or later.
Alvarez extremely regarded set to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in Could this yr, together with his potential rival having just lately defeated heavyweight icon Mike Tyson final November.
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However with an official announcement seemingly shut, Alvarez made a U-turn and signed a four-fight cope with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
He’ll as an alternative face William Scull on Could 3 for the undisputed super-middleweight crown, earlier than an enormous mega-fight with Terence Crawford in September.
The Mexican champion has now opened up on his causes for turning his again on the battle.
“I feel I did the right factor being with Turki Alalshikh,” Alvarez informed CBS Sports activities.
“That is the best way I really feel. I feel there may be a lot potential sooner or later and that is why we selected to be working with him.
“As a result of [Scull] is healthier for me [as an opponent] at this level in my profession. I simply need to proceed making historical past.
“I do not even name [boxing Paul] a battle, it is extra of an occasion than a battle.
“That occasion can wait till I retire.”
Alvarez is one among boxing’s pound-for-pound largest stars and it was a shock that he was so contemplating abandoning Crawford battle plans to fulfill Paul.
‘El Gallo’ is now one of many largest industrial attracts within the sport, together with his occasions drawing big income and viewing figures.
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However it’s clear the boxing king is prioritising his legacy within the sport for now, with a number of years left till potential retirement.
Paul himself was left livid having practically landed the shot of a lifetime towards a modern-era boxing nice.
He’s now being pressured to think about an alternate opponent and it has added one other layer to an unlikely rivalry.
And he furiously attacked Alvarez in a scathing rant moments after Alvarez introduced his new contract.
He mentioned: “Time to show him. So we had a signed contract to battle. Right here you’ll be able to see Canelo’s signature and my signature to the fitting.
“Claiming he’s not preventing YouTubers, bulls***, take a look at the poster. We had been asserting Tuesday, February 11.
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“Claiming he fights actual fighters however he’s preventing Crawford, a 135lb fighter, and working from an actual fighter like David Benavidez, you b****.
“You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your subsequent nut. The reality is, these sports-washing shady characters are paying you 100’s of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to cease our battle from occurring as a result of they couldn’t fathom the truth that they will’t create a much bigger battle than me and also you.
“I’m the brand new face of boxing. You can not have the largest battle of 2025 with out my identify concerned.
“When your whole occasions tank and lose cash you’ll all notice who the king of the game is. 28 years previous.
“Largest battle in boxing historical past. My very own boss. Not owned. 5 years in.”