On May 7, undisputed world super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will fight WBA champion Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight.
Alvarez, 31, is regarded as the best pound-for-pound male boxer in the world.
In November, he defeated American Caleb Plant to become the first man to hold the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO super-middleweight titles.
On facing Russia’s Bivol in Las Vegas, Alvarez said: “It is another great challenge for me and my career.”
Bivol, who is also 31, is unbeaten in 19 professional fights, with 11 knockout victories.
Since 2016, he has held the WBA light-heavyweight championship, which he has successfully defended ten times.
Now he’ll meet Alvarez of Mexico in the first in a multi-fight arrangement with Matchroom and DAZN, with the second scheduled for September.
“I always only wanted to fight the best. I believe that the rest of my goals will begin to materialise on 7 May,” said Bivol.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn said the multi-fight deal with Alvarez was “an absolute honour”.
“Canelo transcends boxing and is the biggest star in the sport,” said Hearn.