Super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez follows up his December 2020 victory over Callum Smith by defending both his WBC and WBA (Super) belts against Turkish fighter Avni Yildirim.
The pair will fight at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, with the event shown across 200 countries (excluding Mexico) by the DAZN streaming services.
Alvarez goes into the fight as a strong favourite and the Mexican four-weight champoins is expected to go on to fight fellow champion Billy Joe Saunders in May, with one or two more fights - at least - to follow.
"Avni Yildirim is a good boxer, and I know we will put on an exciting fight," Canelo said in a press release. "I'm very glad that we are able to bring this event to Miami, a short distance from where my hero, Muhammad Ali, trained. February 27 will be a great night for the sport."
Yildirim will be making his third tilt at a championship, with neither of his first two attempts succssful. He most recently lost to Anthony Dirrell for the vacant WBC super middleweight belt, claimed by Dirrell in a controversial tecnhical decision.
"I am honored as a mandatory to fight again for the big green belt - thank you to everyone who is involved," Yildirim said. "I always give my all – and everybody should be ready to see a war. I am coming to make my country proud – I am representing the whole of Turkey."
Here is everything you need to know about Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim.
Canelo vs. Yildirim fight date, start time
Date: Saturday, Feb. 27
Coverage starts: 7 p.m. ET (12 a.m. GMT)
Main Event approx. 10 p.m. ET (3 a.m. GMT)
The Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim main card starts at 7 p.m. ET (12 a.m. GMT) on Saturday evening, with the challenger and champion expected to make their ring walks at approximately 10 p.m. ET (3 a.m. GMT), though that depends on the duration of the night's earlier fights.
Can I watch Canelo vs. Yildirim on DAZN?
The card will stream live on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories (excluding Mexico, where it will be shown on TV Azteca). The global sports live streaming platform works with many Internet-connected devices and smart TVs.
Click here to learn more about DAZN in your region.
What devices are supported on DAZN?
DAZN is available on web browsers at DAZN.com and also has apps available for all of the following TV and streaming devices:
| Mobile Devices | TV & Streaming Devices | Game Consoles |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad | Amazon Fire TV | Playstation 4, Pro |
| Android phones, tables | Amazon Fire TV Stick | Playstation 5 |
| Amazon Fire tablet | Android TV | XBox One, One S |
| .. | Apple TV | XBox One X |
| .. | Google Chromecast | Xbox Series X | S |
| .. | LG Smart TV, Smartcast | .. |
| .. | Panasonic Smart TV | .. |
| .. | Samsung Smart TV | .. |
| .. | Sony Smart TV | .. |
Where is the Canelo vs. Yildirim fight?
Alvarez will contest his WBA (super) and WBC super middleweight titles against Yildirim at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with a restricted number fans at the venue because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Alvarez and Yilidrim are both fighting at the venue for the first time.
Saul Alvarez record and bio
- Nationality: Mexican
- Born: July 18, 1990
- Height: 5-8
- Reach: 70.5 inches
- Total fights: 57
- Record: 54-1-2 with 36 knockouts
Avni Yildirim record and bio
- Nationality: Turkish
- Born: August 5, 1991
- Height: 5-11½
- Reach: 70 inches
- Total fights: 23
- Record: 21-2 with 12 knockouts
Canelo vs. Yildirim card in full
- Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim for Alvarez’s WBC/WBA Super Middleweight titles
- Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo for Martinez’s WBC flyweight title
- Zhang Zhilei vs. Jerry Forrest; Heavyweight
- Diego Pacheco vs. Rodolfo Gomez Jr.; Super Middleweight
- Alexis Espino vs. Ashton Sykes; Super Middleweight
- Marc Castro vs. Lester Brown; Junior Lightweight
- Aaron Aponte vs. Harry Gigliotti; Junior Welterweight
- Alexis Molina vs. TBA; Featherweight