Canelo signs long-term deal with HBO

canelo on Mayweather-Khan

In a move that could be the first step in setting up fights previously unmade due to the promotional company/ T.V. network “Cold War” Golden Boy Promotions and Mexican star boxer Saul “Canelo” Alvarez announced the fighter’s long term deal with HBO Tuesday.

Golden Boy founder and Hall of Fame boxer Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo and Ken Hershman, president of HBO Sports are all on board will the pairing and are eager to get the new partnership rolling.

The deal will mark the first time since February 2013 when Floyd Mayweather Jr. spurned HBO to sign a six-fight deal with Showtime/ CBS that a major Golden Boy promoted fighter signed a deal with HBO.

Canelo said it is a life achievement for him to be fighting on HBO now, and is excited about the new TV deal.

“For all of my career, I have wanted to fight on HBO for one main reason-I believe it will allow more of my fans to see me in action,” Álvarez said. “Today marks a huge milestone for me, and I look forward to a long and successful partnership with HBO.”

After the Mayweather signing, Golden Boy fighters have fought on Showtime while Top Rank fighters have fought on HBO, which earned the name “Cold War” due to the amount of quality fights that we not being made due to the conflict.

Hershman said HBO is eager to broadcast Canelo’s bouts and are pleased to be working with Golden Boy Promotions once again.

“Everyone at HBO is excited to welcome back Canelo Álvarez to the HBO family, and we can’t wait to re-introduce him to our subscribers,” Hershman said. “At only 24-years-old, Canelo has already established himself as one of the boxing world’s brightest stars, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship as we embark on this new chapter together. We are delighted to partner with Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions in presenting Canelo’s fights and events on our various platforms.”

With the “Cold War” seemingly over, boxing fans such expect more and more fighters fighting on different networks, hopefully making the best possible fights come to fruition, something that de la Hoya is excited about.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this historic agreement between Canelo Álvarez and HBO Sports, an agreement that marks another major step in Golden Boy Promotions’ primary goal-to give boxing fans the fights they want to see,” de la Hoya, said.”Canelo is the best young fighter in the sport, and this move will help line him up to fight top opponents in the sport for many years to come.”

Mick Akers is the lead boxing writer for Fight Hub TV and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow him on Twitter: @mickakers