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Canelo Alvarez vs Callum Smith could launch new streaming service DAZN in the UK, rather than be broadcast on Sky Sports pay-per-view.
It was reported earlier this week that the Brit had emerged as the new frontrunner to challenge Mexico’s pound-for-pound star on September 12.
According to The Athletic, there is “growing optimism” a deal can be done.
An offer of $5million was understood to have been made last week with Smith’s asking price starting at $6million.
Negotiations remain ongoing.
Back in March OTT platform DAZN, which is owned by billionaire Len Blavatnik and has been branded the ‘Netflix of Sport’, announced plans to launch in the UK and worldwide ahead of Canelo’s fight against Billy Joe Saunders in May.
The coronavirus pandemic caused that bout to be scrapped and everything was inevitably put on hold.
Now however, with boxing starting back up again, DAZN are seemingly looking to resume their strategy.
The streaming service is currently active in nine countries/territories, including the US where they have three fights scheduled in July/August.
These events will be the first broadcast on DAZN globally, through a beta testing programme.
Many are speculating that the new official launch date will again be planned around Canelo.
This is what The Athletic are now reporting as well, with Sky Sports seemingly set to miss out on the fight.
Canelo signed a massive eleven-fight $365million to join DAZN when they launched in America in 2018, and this now seems set to expand globally.
Also in March, it was reported that the Mexican had agreed financial terms to face Gennady Golovkin again later this year.
Plans for this bout were obviously disrupted by the pandemic, but it’s now claimed the fight could have a new date.
Providing he wins his next bout – be it against Smith or someone else – Canelo is “expected” to face GGG for a third time on Cinco de Mayo 2021.
