Jacobs & Saunders on Canelo’s Radar For September?

Promoter says either Jacobs or Saunders could be next


Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is set to return to the ring on September 15, the question is who will he face? Well, his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya has told the media that a rematch with Gennady Golovkin remains the priority. However, if they can’t get a deal in place the promoter said they will seek to either try to fight Daniel Jacobs or WBO middleweight titlist Billy Joe Saunders.

Golovkin, who has been a very vocal force when it comes to Alvarez and his fail drug tests, has shown a willingness to want the fight. Golovkin however, must get another exemption from the IBF as they have ordered he fight Sergiy Derevyanchenko by early August. Ironically enough the one fighter that can get automatically give Golovkin the exemption is Saunders.

Jacobs on the other hand has one more fight left under his HBO contract and the perception is that will be the final bout for him on the network. His promoter is moving Matchroom Boxing USA to the streaming DAZN with the first card slated to be in September.

Saunders as of late has shown a willingness to want a bout with either Golovkin or Alvarez, a fight with Golovkin would more than likely take place in England. Saunders could have the chance to become undisputed champion should he choose to go that route, while a fight with Canelo would certainly take place in America.

It’s also worth noting both Jacobs and Saunders could be a stylistic problem for Alvarez. As they saying in boxing goes, styles make fights. Saunders must get passed Martin Murray in June to try to secure either bout, the general consensus is that he will.

All this can also be posturing by Golden Boy to try to entice Golovkin to take the fight, even if it means dropping his IBF title.

Golovkin has appealed the IBF exemption in the hopes to get Alvarez back in the ring. Will Golovkin be willing to drop his title should the IBF decline the appeal? At the moment we have more questions than answers. A firestorm created by Alvarez failing a drug test can make for a very interesting September, as the middleweight division is starting to heat up and both men have options.

It’s also worth noting that Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan turned down a fight with Golovkin and is a Golden Boy fighter. O’Sullivan could possibly be in the running in the running to get a bout with Alvarez.

3KingsBoxing.com will monitor the situation and will have more information as it becomes available.

By: Wilson Urena