In many ways, Golden Boy Promotions’ decision Friday to release Canelo Alvarez from his contract would be like the Lakers waiving LeBron James. On the surface, it’s incomprehensible.
Alvarez is the biggest star in boxing and generates pay-per-view numbers that no one else can.
But dig beyond the surface a bit and the move makes sense for all sides.
In two years, the deal to fight exclusively on DAZN — which was hailed upon its signing on Oct. 16, 2018, as the richest in sports — became untenable.
There weren’t enough quality opponents for it to make sense for DAZN to pony up $40 million a fight — $35 million a fight to Alvarez and $5 million per fight to Golden Boy.