After The Long Wait, Canelo Alvarez Faces Callum Smith On December 19

Canelo Alvarez (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Boxer Canelo Alvarez will complete his long wait in the ring next month. He will fight against British super middleweight world champion Callum Smith.

As reported by Antara from AFP on Wednesday, November 18, Alvarez, known as the World Boxing Association (WBA) middle class "super" belt holder, has not fought since winning an 11th round knockout over Sergey Kovalev in a light heavyweight duel in November. then.

The 30-year-old Mexican star's return to the ring has been delayed amid disputes with promoter Oscar de la Hoya and streaming service DAZN.

Alvarez, who signed a five-year, $ 350 million contract with DAZN in 2018, earlier this month announced he was free of agency after breaking ties with the platform and De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

However Alvarez's fight with Smith on 19 December will be broadcast on the DAZN platform on a one-time basis. The exact venue has not been confirmed, but US reports say it will likely take place in Texas.

Smith, who holds the WBA super middleweight title, has a 27-0 record with 19 knockout wins.

The 30-year-old from Liverpool will for the third time try to defend his title, which he won by knocking out George Groves in September 2018.

Like Alvarez, Smith has not been in the ring for a year. His last fight was an unanimous victory over John Ryder last November.

Despite being unbeaten, Smith will start as an underdog against Alvarez, who has a proud 53-1-2 record with 36 knockouts.

Alvarez, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has lost only once in his career, losing a majority to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2014.