After promoting Canelo Alvarez for a number of fights, Eddie Hearn found himself on the opposite side of the face of boxing Monday.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter is backing Edgar Berlanga, who is Alvarez's mandatory challenger for the Mexican superstar's unified super middleweight world championship September 14, live on DAZN in the US and Canada.
Despite a segment of boxing fans and critics who are calling for Alvarez to fight David Benavidez instead, Hearn is giving Berlanga more than a puncher's chance next month.
"I think Edgar is being overlooked and disrespected," Hearn told the media Monday during the Alvarez-Berlanga New York City press conference . "He’s here only to win. He had 16 first-round knockouts in his first 16 fights. He’s got dynamite in his hands and he’ll put everything on the line September 14."
That being said, having spent time with Alvarez, Hearn did take the time to blast any critics who think the boxing legend is ducking Benavidez.
"He will fight anybody," Hearn affirmed to DAZN News. "He has absolutely no fear of anyone. But he'll have a number in his mind for the deal and if that number can't be met, no problem, he'll carry on with his mandatory until it can be."
Hearn believes the Alvarez-Benavidez fight could eventually happen.
"As the fight grows, it gets bigger and there's more demand," Hearn said. "The money keeps on increasing. Canelo Alvarez will take any fight if the money is there. But he's obviously got a price in his mind and we'll see if he can get it."
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