Canelo Alvarez signs record-breaking $365 million deal with DAZN

Canelo Alvarez has signed a $365 million deal with streaming service DAZN, per the LA Times. This mammoth deal, which will span 5 years and 10 fights, is being called “the highest paid guaranteed contract in sports history” by Canelo’s promoter Golden Boy Promotions.

Canelo’s first fight on DAZN will occur on December 15, when he battles Rocky Fielding inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“This is only from my hard work,” Canelo told ESPN of this record-breaking contract (via MMA Mania). “The most important thing to me was being able to give the fans the opportunity to see me fight without having to pay the $70 or $80 for my fights on pay-per-view. That was the most important thing, more important than what I am making.”

Canelo’s move to DAZN occurs at an uncertain, transitionary time for the sport of boxing. HBO is leaving the business, while promoter Bob Arum also claims that Showtime will abandon the sweet science in the near future.

DAZN is already home to plethora of boxing content, thanks in large part to a deal with Matchroom Boxing, as well as wealth of MMA attractions, such as Bellator, KSW, and Combate Americas. The streaming service, which costs $9.99 a month, is looking more and more like a must-have for combat sports fans.

“We are thrilled to be exclusive partners with Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya,” John Skipper, executive chairman of Perform Group, DAZN’s parent company, told ESPN of this new deal with Canelo. “By bringing Canelo’s fights to DAZN, we will turn his pay-per-view success into a growth engine for subscribers — a truly transformational moment for our business and the entire industry.”

Will you be watching Canelo fight on DAZN this December? Join the debate in the comments section below.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/17/2018.