Canelo Alvarez will fight Oleksandr Usyk, heavyweight champion, despite a FOUR STONE difference in weight

CANELO ALVAREZ would still fight Oleksandr Usyk despite their FOUR STONE weight difference.

Canelo, 32, has never boxed higher than the 12st 7lb light-heavyweight limit and most recently moved down to the 12st super-middle division.

But in the past, he has opened the door to facing Usyk, who was 15st 11lb last August when he beat Anthony Joshua, 33.

That means there is almost a four stone difference between the pound-for-pound stars.

Canelo lost to light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, 32, last May but returned in September to beat Gennady Golovkin, 40, in their trilogy.

The Mexican is now in talks to face Britain’s John Ryder, 34, this May before rematching Bivol.

But promoter Eddie Hearn claimed such is Canelo’s confidence, he still believes the four-division champ would face Usyk.

Hearn told the DAZN: “Never have I got the impression – never have I even doubted – that there is one fighter that he wouldn’t fight.

“I feel like because of what Canelo’s given to the sport and because of the risks he’s taken, because of the fight’s he’s been involved with, I think he genuinely wants these champions to do the same and go down the same route.

“People like David Benavidez, for me, needs to make a statement to make a fight. Everything is, ‘No problem, no problem.’

“After Usyk beat AJ, you know, I was kind of joking with him – ‘No problem, I’ll fight Usyk.’

“Whether you think he’s made or you think he has a chance, with all due respect he would genuinely fight Usyk at cruiserweight.

“He fought Bivol at 175. He would have no problem fighting Benavidez at 160.”

Usyk, 36, is set to face Tyson Fury, 34, in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed decider.

Meanwhile, Hearn is closing in on a deal for Ryder to challenge for all of Canelo’s unified super-middleweight titles.

He said: “Like I said, Canelo’s plan is to fight John Ryder and Dmitry Bivol. I spoke with (Canelo’s trainer and manager) Eddy Reynoso last night.

“We’re looking at possible venues, obviously there are other fights for Canelo Alvarez. We’re planning with Eddy and Saul this year and next year.”