Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez has reportedly agreed to face social media performer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in May.
It's understood the unexpected match-up comes ahead of Alvarez's anticipated bout against Terence Crawford in September.
Crawford and Alavarez are in the process of finalising a deal for a September 14 (AEDT) super middleweight championship fight in Las Vegas, sources told ESPN. Reports state that Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, is organising the fight.
However, reports on Tuesday state Alvarez will take to the ring against Paul on Cinco De Mayo weekend in the US, which falls in early May, head of the title clash with Crawford.
Respected boxing journalist Julius Julianis, took to social media to break the news, posting to X.
"There is already an agreement for Jake Paul to be Canelo Alvarez's rival in May of this year, a source very close to the operation informs me," the post read. "The evening will be a co-promotion of CaneloPromotions &MVP &PBC."
Alvarez has laughed off Paul's attempts to get in the ring with him in recent years but with the reported money made during Paul's uninspiring clash with Mike Tyson, he may have changed his tune.
And considering it would be the easiest money he ever made in the ring, it's not difficult to see how the Mexican could be considering it.
Terence Crawford set to move up in weight. Getty
Paul's unanimous decision over Tyson was the highest-grossing combat sports event in Texas at over $29 million, with 72,000 fans attending.
The event surpassed Texas' previous sports combat high of US$9m set by Alvarez when he faced Billy Joe Saunders in 2021.
There had been speculation that Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KO) would face IBF champion William Scull or rising contender Christian Mbilli but none of those bouts would attract as much interest as a bout with Paul, even though they would be more competitive.
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez of Mexico trades punches with Jermell Charlo during their super middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena on September 30, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Getty
But in the world of boxing most things must be taken with a grain of salt unless there's an official announcement from either party.
There has been wider reporting of his clash with Crawford, with the Nebraska native set to jump two more weight classes to the 168-pound limit for the bout.
There won't be any catchweight or rehydration clause attached to the fight, according to ESPN.
Alvarez has won five fights since a decision defeat to Dmitry Bivol in 2022 at 175 pounds.
