HBO has been instrumental in creating superstars in Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, but both are set to become two of the biggest free agents in boxing history.
According to separate reports by Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times, both Alvarez’s and Golovkin’s HBO contracts expire after their September 15 rematch for the unified middleweight world titles.
Both fighters could end up re-signing with HBO, but the network has had problems with declining viewership in recent years and have decreased the number of boxing cards per year.
Golovkin has been with HBO since making his United States debut back in 2012, when he was just the WBA “regular” and IBO middleweight titles. During his time with HBO, Golovkin has headlined three pay-per-view cards against Alvarez, Daniel Jacobs and David Lemieux.
According to the report on Alvarez’s contract status, promoter Oscar De La Hoya expressed skepticism over HBO’s commitment on continuing as a premier destination for boxing telecasts.
“It makes me wonder if HBO even wants to be in boxing. Given the circumstances that boxing is in line at this moment, with ESPN, DAZN and the fact that Fox television has paid millions and Showtime’s doing many things, it’s going to be very interesting for us and Canelo to see what HBO can do to keep him,” De La Hoya said.
Alvarez has been fighting exclusively on HBO since 2014, but has fought on HBO cards since 2010. The rematch against Golovkin will be Alvarez’s sixth pay-per-view main event fight, competing against the likes of Miguel Cotto, Liam Smith and Amir Khan.
Fightful had live coverage of Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin 2 followed by a live post-show podcast after the main event.
