Canelo Alvarez files lawsuit against DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions

Planet Sport writerStaff Writer9 September 2020
Canelo Alvarez alongside Oscar De La Hoya in 2016

Canelo Alvarez alongside Oscar De La Hoya in 2016

Something isn't going to end well here...

Canelo Alvarez has filed a lawsuit against his promoter Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions and the streaming service DAZN.

Alvarez has cited a breach of contract and fraud as the reasons for his lawsuit, and he is seeking damages worth around $280 million.

The four-division world champion signed a multi-year contract with DAZN in 2018 that was worth a reported $365 million.

This 11-fight deal is the largest in the history of boxing, and it made Alvarez one of the most valuable sportsmen in the world.

The main cause for Alvarez's complaints is his absence from in-ring competition in recent months.
Alvarez has been inactive since November 2019, when he fought Sergey Kovalev at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
The 30-year-old knocked out Kovalev in the eleventh round to win the WBO light-heavyweight title.

Canelo Alvarez has not had a fight since November 2019 (Liam McBurney/PA)

In conjunction with the lawsuit, Alvarez released a passionate statement which read:
"I'm the pound-for-pound No 1 in the world. I'm not scared of any opponent in the ring, and I'm not going to let failures of my broadcaster or promoters keep me out of the ring.
"I filed the lawsuit so I can get back to boxing and give my fans the show they deserve."

Alvarez's victory over Kovalev made him a four-weight world champion, with him winning world titles at light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.

He has been linked with fights with a wide range of fighters over recent months, which includes British duo, Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders.

Eddie Hearn, left, alongside Billy Joe Saunders (Yui Mok/PA)

Alvarez-Saunders was set for May this year, but the COVID-19 outbreak forced the fight to be cancelled.

Golden Boy responded to this lawsuit on Tuesday night. A spokesperson for De La Hoya's promotion said that: "Canelo's beef is with Dazn."

They added: "They're the ones refusing to honor the contract by not approving the outstanding opponents we have presented to them and by refusing to pay the contractually required amount.

"Even though our contract specifically gives Golden Boy the right to wait until the pandemic is over and fans can return; in the best interest of boxing, Golden Boy is doing everything it can to make great fights happen. We remain ready, willing and able to make a fight for Canelo as soon as possible."