Boxing's biggest star steps into the ring for the first time in 2021 as Saul "Canelo" Alvarez takes on Avni Yildirim with the WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring super middleweight titles on the line.
Alvarez hopes to become the undisputed champion at 168 lbs, but his road to glory first must go through mandatory challenger Yildirim. The pair square off Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and fans in the United States can catch all the action on pay-per-view as well as on DAZN.
Turkish fighter Yildirim has all of Canelo's attention, although the Mexican superstar claimed recently that he's "superior to Yildirim” and expects to leave Miami with the belts. With Yildirim having twice challenged for a world title in recent years, Alvarez knows he'll be facing an experienced fighter with nothing to lose on Saturday.
Here's everything you need to know about the fight, plus information on how to watch on pay-per-view.
Canelo vs. Yildirim fight date, start time
- Date : Saturday, February 27
- Time : 8 p.m. EST
- Main event (approx): 11 p.m. EST
The Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim fight card takes place on Saturday, Feb. 27, and kicks off at 8:00 p.m. local time in Miami. Main event ringwalks, as always, depend on how long the undercard runs, but the ballpark estimate is around 11:00 p.m. EST.
Where is the Canelo vs. Yildirim fight?
The event will be staged at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The venue will be fully compliant with the latest COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.
How do I watch Canelo vs. Yildirim on pay-per-view?
Select major cable providers are offering the fight at a PPV price of $49.99, which also includes a gift code that provides access to DAZN through April 30, 2021. The providers include:
- Comcast
- Charter
- Cox
- Optimum / Altice
- Verizon
- DIRECTV
- ATT
- And many more
You can redeem your code at dazn.com/canelo. (Must be redeemed by March 31, 2021)
Can I watch Canelo vs. Yildirim on DAZN?
The Feb. 27 card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe. You can sign up for a subscription here for just $19.99 for one month (or $8.33 per month if you purchase a one-year subscription for $99.99).
Fight fans in the U.S. can instead order the fight on pay-per-view, if they wish, for a fee of $49.99. However not only will you save money with DAZN but you'll get access to other live boxing cards in February and March plus a whole lot more.
Canelo Alvarez record and bio
- Nationality : Mexican
- Born : 18 July 1990
- Height : 5'9"
- Reach : 70 1/2"
- Total fights : 57
- Record : 54-1-2 (36 KOs)
Avni Yildirim record and bio
- Nationality : Turkish
- Born : 5 August 1991
- Height : 5'11 1/2"
- Reach : 70"
- Total fights : 23
- Record : 21-2 (12 KOs)
Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim odds
- Canelo: -5000
- Yildirim: +1200
- Draw: +3300
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM unsurprisingly has Canelo as the overwhelming favorite to win. As of Thursday, he comes in at -5000. That means you'd need to bet $5000 just to win $100. Meanwhile Yildirim is available at +1200, which means you'll take home $1200 if you bet $100 and he pulls off the upset.
Canelo has only ever been defeated as a professional by the legendary Floyd Mayweather, a result that took place way back in 2013. The Mexican is now at his physical peak and arguably his optimal weight class, and although Yildirim has earned a fair title shot, his resume isn't particularly dazzling and his two career losses came in his two most challenging encounters to date.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim predictions
DAZN News pick: Canelo Alvarez by KO/TKO
More Alvarez vs. Yildirim odds
Will the fight go the distance?
- Yes: +700
- No: -1600
Method of victory
- Canelo by KO/TKO/DQ: -1600
- Canelo by decision : +800
- Yildirim by KO/TKO/DQ or submission: +3300
- Yildirim by decision: +1800
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Canelo vs. Yildirim fight card
- Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim for Alvarez’s WBC/WBA Super Middleweight titles
- McWilliams Arroyo vs. Abraham Rodriguez for the interim WBC flyweight title
- Zhang Zhilei vs. Jerry Forrest; Heavyweight
- Diego Pacheco vs. Rodolfo Gomez Jr.; Super Middleweight
- Alexis Espino vs. Ashton Sykes; Super Middleweight
- Keyshawn Davis vs. Lester Brown; Junior Lightweight
- Aaron Aponte vs. Harry Gigliotti; Junior Welterweight
- Marc Castro vs. John Moraga; Junior Lightweight