It’s official. Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will defend his WBC and WBA super middleweight titles against Avni Yidirim on Saturday February 27 at the Hard Rock Stadium (home of the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes) in Miami Gardens, Florida, live on DAZN.
Canelo Alvarez: “Avni Yildirim is a good boxer and I know we will put on an exciting fight. I’m very glad that we are able to bring this event to Miami, a short distance from where my hero, Muhammad Ali, trained. February 27 will be a great night for the sport.”
Avni Yildirim: “I am honored as a mandatory to fight again for the big green belt – thank you to everyone who is involved. I always give my all – and everybody should be ready to see a war. I am coming to make my country proud – I am representing the whole of Turkey.”
An announcement on ticket on-sale dates and prices will be made in due course.
This is just the worst…
Good for Avni who should get a good paycheck but mandatory? LOL Nice Job WBC nice job…
Corrupt, third world countries are full of “nice” jobs.
all canelo is doing is fighting these big wash up fighters that cant fight, Yildirim has no skills
I continue to be unimpressed by Canelo, who is undeserving of the P4P. He’s fighting bums and everything he does is embellished. This matchup will have a predictable result.
He’s playing it safe and is never required to step up is his level of opposition to make money. Absolutely pathetic. Count me among those who have no interest in his fights.
It’ll be 70 days in between fights for Canelo, but Yildirim will have been out of the ring for 2 years and 4 days come fight night.
I wouldn’t be completely shocked if Canelo knocks him out in the very first round.
Have to agree with all the comments here. There are a few good fights out there for Canelo at 168, but this is not one of them. There’s no path to victory for Yildirim in this fight. I would imagine that the only interest from boxing fans in this one would be the over/under for bettors.
I believe Plant, Bivol, and to a lesser extent, BJS each have the style to give Canelo a lot of trouble. Berlanga isn’t ready yet, but if he keeps winning, I’d love to see what him vs. Canelo might look like 1 1/2 – 2 years from now.
Is a mandatory fight canelo didn’t pick this fight please let him take care of this fight and then fight bjs next
Thats BS. Lets not forget Charlo was a mandatory challenger too and had no issue getting out that fight. Canelo does pick the fights. He blows off WBC mandatories all the time. A shame WBC really screwed over Benavidez allowing Canelo to play keep away with the belt and moving Yildirim as the mandatory. Cant see how a true Boxing fan can still support Canelo.
Yildirim was previously one of his sparring partners. Canelo is just giving a payday to one of his mates. The “fight” will last as long as Canelo wants it to.
WBC is losing it’s credibility.