Eddie Hearn Is ‘Almost Certain’ Callum Smith Is The Favourite To Fight ‘Canelo’

Eddie Hearn is “almost certain” his client, Callum Smith if the favourite to land a fight with pound-for-pound superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

‘Canelo’ has been looking for an opponent since another Hearn client, Billy Joe Saunders withdrew from the fight due to Golden Boy trying to renegotiate the contract he signed to fight the Mexican before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Several top fighters have put their names in the mix but Hearn believes Smith is the frontrunner but will not come at the discounted price ‘Canelo’ and co are trying to get an opponent at.

“”I’m almost certain that Canelo Alvarez’s first choice is Callum Smith, of the people available,” Hearn told Boxing Social.

“Because it would make him the legitimate number one 168-pounder if he beats him. I know Canelo loves challenges. He loves to fight the best and [fight] champions. But also Callum Smith is expensive. He’s the Ring magazine champion and WBA champion. Of course he’s going to be expensive. There’s no way around that.

Hearn believes the proposed date of September 12 for the next ‘Canelo’ fight is now dead and urged his team to confirm that news and specify a new date to allow his fighter or anyone accepting the fight to have a proper camp.

“We have to really say September 12 is dead,” Hearn said. “And it’s difficult because Callum Smith doesn’t want to be training as he is if September 12th is not happening. And there’s no confirmation of that. I’m asking people at DAZN, but the generally feeling is unlikely now.

“But when will it be? You don’t want to taper back in training and then [hypothetically we] say we’re going September 22nd. As difficult as it can be, fighters can say to themselves the 12th’s not happening, but maybe the 22nd will. It’s not my business, but it would be an honor for one of my guys to get another shot at Canelo Alvarez.” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn? Should Callum Smith be the front runner to face ‘Canelo’ next?