by Luke Furman
As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, the mandatory fight between Adonis Stevenson and Eleider Alvarez is heading to a date in early 2017. The fight was initially targeted for the fall of 2016, but there appears to be a change of plans.
Stevenson (28-1-0) has only seen action once this year, with his exciting stoppage win over puncher Thomas Williams Jr. back in July in Quebec City. Alvarez (20-0) was in the ring on the same show, winning a decision over late replacement Robbie Berridge. The doubleheader was viewed as a lead-up to the fall fight.
They both share the same promoter in Yvon Michel of GYM, and the same adviser in Al Haymon. Alvarez has been the mandatory challenger to the title since last November, when he won a twelve round majority decision over Isaac Chilemba.
Stevenson has not made a mandatory defense of his belt since November of 2013, when he knocked out Tony Bellew.
To stay busy, Alvarez is now being positioned to headline the second edition of GYM's fight series scheduled for December 10 at the Montreal Casino. Stevenson will not have an interim fight and leaves the year with a single appearance.
"I spoke to the manager of both boxers and we agreed that there would be more money, it would be more profitable for them if we do this in 2017," said Michel to RDS.
The fight is in talks for a date in late February or early March. The network is unknown at the moment.
"Eleider believes strongly in his chances against Stevenson and wants to find a way to give the best of himself," said Michel. "Eleider has beautiful skills and he can be a complicated fighter to box. He is perhaps not the most spectacular boxer, but he is very effective. "
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
