Canelo Alvarez rules out Nate Diaz fight for now, despite Eddie Hearn’s talks with former UFC star, as Mexican instead has focus fixed on Dmitry Bivol rematch
Canelo Alvarez has responded after being linked to a potential crossover fight with Nate Diaz this week.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who Canelo has worked with most of his recent fights, revealed on Wednesday that he's held talks with representatives of former UFC star Diaz - who is now a free agent - about a possible move into boxing.
Hearn told : “It was just a friendly conversation to say, ‘What are you thinking?’
"And Nate Diaz’s mindset is, ‘I want to fight Canelo Alvarez.’
"Who knows? It’s very difficult to give Nate Diaz a shot in a Canelo Alvarez fight.
"But again, Nate Diaz can box.
"I’m not saying he’s going to compete with Canelo Alvarez, but he’s got a big fanbase and I think there’s a fascination behind seeing these guys do something different.
"It’s the unknown. What’s going to happen?”
Giving the latest on his plans following hand surgery late last year, Canelo told : "I'm just starting training, starting back.
"I'm gonna see in a couple week what happens - if I fight in May or wait until September."
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Asked about the potential Diaz showdown, Canelo said: "We never know, right?
"But right now it's not in my schedule.
"Not right now. I have goals. Not right now, maybe later, maybe in the future.
"No disrespect or anything, I have goals."
Quizzed as to whether his goals include a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, who upset him last year, Canelo replied: "That's one of my goals.
"Right now that's one of my goals and then we'll see."