Canelo Alvarez will defend his WBA ‘Super’, WBC and Ring Magazine Super Middleweight world titles against Avni Yildirim on February 27 in Miami on DAZN.
Canelo (54-1-2, 36 KOs) has signed a two-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will first tackle WBC mandatory Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs), before a potential clash with WBO champion, Billy Joe Saunders.
Alvarez, considered by consensus as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, became unified champion with a dominant performance over Callum Smith in San Antonio in December and is anticipating a live-fight with the Turkish challenger.
“Avni Yildirim is a good boxer and I know we will put on an exciting fight,” said Canelo.
“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.”
“On February 27, we take the next step in our journey to unify the Super-Middleweight division,” said Eddy Reynoso, Sport and Talent director at Canelo Promotions and Canelo’s trainer.
“We will be facing our WBC mandatory opponent, Avni YildirIm. We are very happy with the alliance we have with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom to put on this bout together, especially in a new venue for us.”
Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) has been biding his time to fight for the WBC title once again, having been frustrated in his last outing when his clash for the vacant crown with Anthony Dirrell in Minnesota in February 2019, with the clash ending in a technical decision win for Dirrell after he suffered a cut over his eye.
The 29-year-old challenger will be aiming to shock the world two years on from that disappointment and does so in his third fight in the States and second in Miami, having beaten the ‘Road Warrior’ Glen Johnson in August 2015, and the Turkish star returns to the Sunshine State for the biggest night of his career.
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“I am honored as a mandatory to fight again for the big green belt – thank you to everyone who is involved,” said Yildirim.
“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.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn worked alongside Alvarez during his win over Smith and the Matchroom CEO admits he is privileged to work with the Mexican superstar.
“It is an absolute honour to promote the pound-for-pound number one and I’m so excited to head to Miami and the home of the Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium,” said Hearn.
“Even in a pandemic, Saúl is looking to be more active than ever and in his plan to be undisputed he must overcome his mandatory challengers to keep his belt.
“Yildirim is the first of those challenges who will be attempting to dethrone the king on February 27.
“We look forward to a huge night of boxing on DAZN and the start of a huge year for Canelo.”
