Canelo fight with Chris Eubank Jr off the table

The prospect of Canelo Alvarez squaring off with Chris Eubank Jr. fizzles out as swiftly as it appeared. According to Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, Eubank has not only missed his chance but won’t be getting another. “It’s totally false,” Reynoso says, firmly shooting down rumors of a future clash. Eubank, it seems, has crossed an uncrossable line by dragging his feet when the timing was right, and now that door has closed.

When Eubank claimed to Sky Sports that a fight with Canelo “could happen within the next year” and even teased a grand show at London’s Wembley Stadium, it seemed he had his sights set. He asserted that there weren’t many big-name opponents left for the Mexican champion. “After [David] Benavidez, there are no other guys. Maybe [Artur] Beterbiev and [Dmitry] Bivol, but they are not in his weight class.” Eubank seemed convinced that his star power would make a fight with Canelo electric, adding, “It would be a hell of a build-up. Two very different personalities and very different backgrounds.”

But Reynoso’s response leaves no room for interpretation: “Eubank had his chance to fight Canelo in September. The only thing he did was complicate the negotiations.” With that, he slams the door shut, refusing to revisit the possibility.

For Canelo, who’s coming off a decisive win over Jermell Charlo, the search for his next opponent remains open, but it won’t include Eubank. Reynoso makes that crystal clear when asked about possible names, quipping, “Anyone but Eubank.”

In the wake of this news, Eubank’s camp may shift its focus back to Conor Benn. The two recently came face-to-face in Saudi Arabia, reigniting interest in their feud. Promoter Ben Shalom has also been vocal, pushing for Eubank to keep his eyes on either Benn or Canelo. Shalom is keen on making Eubank-Canelo a reality, insisting that “Canelo needs dance partners, but he also needs stars.” He believes a Wembley event would be nothing short of a spectacle. But with Reynoso’s latest comments, Shalom might need to recalibrate his ambitions.

The landscape of big-name fights for Canelo is a puzzle, shifting with every statement and rumor. But for now, it’s clear that a showdown with Eubank is nowhere in that picture.