Canelo Alvarez and Jake Paul Close to Finalizing Major Boxing Match

Boxing fans may soon witness an unexpected clash as sources reveal that negotiations are in the final stages for a bout between undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and social media star turned boxer Jake Paul. The fight is tentatively scheduled for May 3 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The proposed match would take place at the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds, significantly higher than Alvarez’s usual weight class. It’s expected that the event will be streamed on Netflix, following Paul’s recent successful bout on the platform.

This potential matchup brings together two of boxing’s biggest draws from very different backgrounds. Alvarez, widely regarded as one of the sport’s elite fighters, would be facing Paul, who has gained notoriety and a massive following despite his limited boxing experience.

Paul’s most recent fight against Mike Tyson garnered enormous attention, peaking at 64 million concurrent viewers on Netflix. The event, held at AT&T Stadium, also generated an impressive $18.1 million in gate revenue.

Interestingly, this development comes shortly after reports of Alvarez finalizing a September bout with Terence Crawford. It’s unclear how the potential Paul fight might affect those plans, with sources suggesting it could jeopardize the Crawford agreement.

Alvarez had previously expressed openness to fighting Paul, stating in a November interview, “When I’m finished with top-level boxing, why not? It could be good for attracting new fans to the sport.”

As negotiations continue, boxing enthusiasts and casual fans alike eagerly await official confirmation of this potentially groundbreaking matchup.