Canelo Alvarez will fight on December 6 against Joshua Clottey on HBO, the first time in his last five fights he will be televised on another network than Showtime. The move may have ruffled feathers at Showtime though, and damaged Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya's relationship with them.
"Well, I obviously sure hope that this doesn't ruin any type of relationship," De La Hoya said via conference call according to the Los Angeles Daily News. "I mean, this is actually a great thing. This is a great thing for the sport of boxing, this is a great thing for the fans, so I'm assuming and I'm hoping that it affects nothing."
The move could be great for the sport, but it is certainly bad news for Showtime and executive Stephen Espinoza. Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s record, revenue-sharing contract with Showtime has only two fights remaining on it, and Alvarez is the sport's biggest draw not named Mayweather.
Alvarez's deal is for three years and nine fights, six of which are scheduled pay-per-view events. Espinoza has commented on the situation and accused De La Hoya of reneging on a verbal agreement.
"We accepted it [a multi-fight proposal]," Espinoza told The Los Angeles Times. "And [Alvarez promoter] Oscar [De La Hoya] said, 'Canelo's going to be here for several years and we'll fly him up for a celebratory dinner [in New York].' "
"The announcement didn't come as any surprise to me because Oscar has talked since July about wanting to having 'Canelo' fight Miguel Cotto in May with HBO fighters on the undercard. But the deceitful manner Oscar went about it ... [as if] there's no repercussions to this promise that was reneged on with a company you do business with."
De La Hoya, however, denies there ever being a verbal agreement.
"No, no verbal agreement," De La Hoya said. "I, obviously, am doing what Canelo is asking of me. Canelo has expressed many months ago that he would love to explore the possibility of fighting on HBO. And as his promoter, I have to, obviously, do whatever possible to grant his wishes."
The move clears a path for Alvarez to take on WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto in 2015 for a Mexico vs. Puerto Rico showdown that harkens back to De La Hoya's own battle with Felix Trinidad in 1999.
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