By Luke Furman
Eleider Alvarez is not willing to take a backwards step from his mandatory world title shot.
Alvarez has been waiting for a long time to secure a crack at WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson.
But in several recent interviews, Stevenson made it clear that there wasn't any money in fighting Alvarez, so he would rather face WBA "regular' champion Badou Jack or IBF, WBA Super, WBO champion Andre Ward.
Alvarez has been the mandatory challenger since the fall of 2015, but others have skipped over him to face Stevenson in the ring.
"It bothers me a lot when I hear Stevenson's comments. He says the television networks are not interested [in our fight]? It's not my fault. The champion here is him. He should sell it to the networks. It's not a problem for Canelo Alvarez to face a boxer who is not known: everybody buys the fight anyway. The same thing for (Gennady) Golovkin or Miguel Cotto. Several champions who face lesser boxers still sell a lot," Alvarez said.
The WBC issued a firm order which directed the winner of Stevenson June rematch with Andrzej Fonfara to face Alvarez in the fall.
"I spoke this morning to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, to discuss the agreements we have always had," said Stéphane Lépine, the manager of Alvarez. "He confirmed that Mr. Adonis Stevenson has no choice but to face Eleider this fall and that he will send a letter to Yvon Michel today, requesting a date and a place."
Alvarez and Stevenson share the same adviser in Al Haymon and the same promoter in Yvon Michel.
Stevenson (29-1, 24 KOs) has been the divison's champion since defeating Chad Dawson after only 76 seconds of action on June 8, 2013. Alvarez (23-0, 11 KOs) became the mandatory challenger by winning a majority decision over Isaac Chilemba, on November 28, 2015. He has defended this position four times since.
"He can think what he wants, but he needs to respect his agreement," Alvarez hammered.
"It's been almost two years since I became his mandatory challenger. I deserve my chance. I agreed to step aside twice [so he could make optional defenses]. That's my fault: I accepted it. Now I will not do it again. It's my turn. The WBC gave me their word."
