Canelo Alvarez has recently solidified a significant four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, effectively sidelining speculations of a high-profile bout with YouTube star Jake Paul. Alvarez’s choice has been interpreted as leveraging the intrigue of a potential showdown with Paul to secure a more lucrative contract instead. The General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia led by Turki Alalshikh announced the deal, which is set to kick off with a fight in May in Riyadh. Alvarez had previously outclassed Edgar Berlanga in a bout last September, enhancing his record to 62 wins with 39 knockouts.

In a fiery response on social media, Paul accused Alvarez of being a "money-hungry squirrel," suggesting that the Saudi deal was a calculated move to evade their impending clash. Paul claimed, "The truth is, you could be bought. You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your next nut." He further alleged that the financial backing from "sports-washing, shady characters" was intended to prevent their fight, implying that the potential spectacle would overshadow anything else Alvarez might accomplish this year. "Any fight that you do this year, mine will be bigger," Paul boasted, asserting that his traction in the combat sports domain is unmatched.

This commencement of a partnership with Riyadh Season marks an increasing trend of big-money deals influencing boxing landscape, especially with Saudi Arabia's growing interest in sporting events. With Terence Crawford as a likely contender for the second fight under Alvarez's new contract, boxing fans are poised for an eventful year ahead. However, the specter of a Canelo-Paul fight remains a tantalizing prospect, even if it appears further away than initially thought.

For more on the developments, you can refer to Associated Press and India Times.