CANELO ALVAREZ could fight Caleb Plant in NOVEMBER as the pair are nearing agreement on a new fight deal, according to reports.
Negotiations are taking place once again despite previous discussions breaking down at the beginning of August.
The two fighters came close to agreeing on a September 18 date but Canelo, 31, withdrew from negotiations as he wanted assurances he would be paid £28million for the bout even if Plant was to withdraw.
But according to ESPN the pair are now looking towards a possible fight at the end of the year.
It is a remarkable turnaround given the clash was said to be “100% dead” at the end of July, with Plant reportedly fuming at that outcome.
Canelo is aiming to beat Plant, 29, to claim the IBF super-middleweight title and unify the middleweight division.
If he manages that the Mexican will be the undisputed super-middleweight world champion and could then fight at the next weight up, with Dmitry Bivol a possible opponent.
Canelo reportedly attempted to put a fight together with WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol for September 18 but backed out due to there not being enough time to train and prepare for the Russian.
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Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr are other potential opponents at 175lbs but first Canelo may have to overcome the tricky 21-0 Plant.
Eddie Hearn believes Canelo has Bivol in his sights once he defeats Plant.
The Matchroom promoter said: “They (Canelo and his team) do want to fight Caleb Plant. That is what they want at the end of the day.
“Dmitry Bivol is there, he accepted the fight, he’s ready to fight, but the ultimate goal for Canelo is to be undisputed at 168 lbs. So they’ll [Canelo] reignite that.
“He [Canelo] likes to take challenges, and he loves to take great fights. Dmitry Bivol and all these guys at 175 are all tough.”
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