Boxing Due to Return in June but Canelo Alvarez-GGG Fight Will Reportedly Be Pushed Back

SI's Chris Mannix shares some thoughts regarding the return of boxing during the coronavirus pandemic

Canelo Alvarez and 'GGG' are reportedly pushing back their third matchup originally scheduled for September. While people will be happy to see a return, it seems that the matches with big names, which typically draw big crowds and big gates, might not be happening for a while.

Video Transcript: 

Chris Mannix: Sources have told me that Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin will not meet for a third time in September. The two middleweight superstars were tentatively scheduled to complete their trilogy during Mexican Independence Day weekend in mid-September. But with the coronavirus pandemic erasing large crowds from major events along with the live gates that come with it - Canelo-Golovkin III will be moved to a later date. With boxing preparing to return this month, the question of whether big-time boxing will be back still lingers. A third fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder has been shelved until November at the earliest. Anthony Joshua, who is scheduled to defend his title against Kubrat Pulev this month, is still looking for a new date. 

Fighters and promoters, understandably, are reluctant to give up eight figure gates. But two things to keep an eye on as boxing pushes forward. One is Texas, a boxing friendly state that has already loosened many restrictions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said that outdoor venues can reopen at 25 percent normal capacity. That might not seem like much, but 10,000 fans in a 40,000 seat outdoor stadium might bring in enough revenue to bring in a big fight. The other is the Middle East. Joshua cashed in on Saudi Arabia's desire to be a big fight destination, earning in excess of $50 million in his rematch of Andy Ruiz last December. If Middle Eastern countries have accelerated openings, expect boxing promoters to look there for site fees that would replace live gates. It's great that boxing is back, but it won't really be back until the big names return to the ring.