Free-agent Alvarez eyes more history

Canelo Alvarez has enough faith in his fists to walk away from a contract worth $365 million.

Two weeks ago, the 30-year-old Mexican middleweight (53-1-2, 36 KOs) severed his ties with DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions, wiping out the monstrous 11-fight deal he signed with them in 2018.

Now a self-promoted free agent, Alvarez confirmed on Friday he will square off against Britain's unbeaten Callum Smith for the WBA and Ring Magazine super-middleweight titles on Dec 19 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The fight will be broadcast live in 200 countries and territories.

It will mark Canelo's first ring appearance since knocking out Sergey Kovalev in November 2019 to claim the WBO light heavyweight crown－h(huán)is fourth world title in as many weight classes.

Smith (27-0 19 KOs), a 6-foot-3(1.91-meter) brawler, claimed the WBA and Ring 168-pound (76-kilogram) belts with a clinical stoppage of compatriot George Groves in the final of the inaugural World Boxing Super Series in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in September 2018.

The 30-year-old has defended the titles twice since, stopping Hassan N'Dam in New York in June 2019 and outpointing John Ryder in Liverpool five months later.

Alvarez had been with Golden Boy Promotions since 2010 and made millions in slugfests against Floyd Mayweather Jr, Gennady Golovkin and Miguel Cotto, among others, but fought only three times since signing the deal with DAZN.

Two months ago he filed a $280-million lawsuit for breach of contract on the grounds the network wanted final approval on the opponents he fought on their platform. The suit was withdrawn after he walked away from the deal.

"I'm very happy to return to the ring and continue to make history," said Alvarez. "I am motivated to continue to be the best, and I look forward to fighting Callum Smith, who is one of the best at 168 pounds."

Smith returned the compliment, adding: "I've been wanting a big fight since becoming world champion, so I'm so pleased that during these challenging times we can deliver to the fans a fight between the very best in the division. I truly believe I will beat him and prove that 168 pounds is my division."

Meanwhile, British promoter Eddie Hearn said on the weekend he doesn't see any need for the World Boxing Council's new 224-pound (102-kg) "bridgerweight "division.

Hearn told boxing24.com that if a fighter is in the 220-pound region he'd rather move up to heavyweight than go after the newly minted title.

"The fighters that will likely go after the WBC bridgerweight title will be the less-talented guys that lack the size and ability to fight at heavyweight," said Hearn. "Who would really want to admit that?"