DAZN contends that neither of Alvarez’ foes in '19 qualified as premier opponentsGETTY IMAGES
There is "growing doubt" that Canelo Alvarez will fight in '20 at all because he and Golden Boy Promotions are "engaged in a heated dispute with DAZN officials regarding the streaming service’s refusal to pay Canelo the $35 million guaranteed in his contract," according to Mike Coppinger of THE ATHLETIC. When it signed a five-year deal with DAZN in October '18, Golden Boy "promised to deliver at least two Canelo events annually with one against a premier opponent." However, who "(besides Gennadiy Golovkin) qualifies as 'premier' in today’s boxing landscape that features few stars is at the heart of the growing conflict." Sources said that Canelo "doesn’t have his own contract with DAZN," but is "part of Golden Boy’s pact." Sources indicated that senior officials at DAZN are "underwhelmed by the matchups Golden Boy has delivered for the Mexican star." DAZN contends that neither of Alvarez’ foes in '19 -- Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev -- "qualified as premier opponents." Sources said that DAZN offered approximately $17.5M, "half of his guarantee, for a proposed fall matchup with Callum Smith." Sources added that the involved parties are "at an impasse," with Alvarez so far "seeking his full guarantee" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/2).
