Canelo returns to the ring against Britain’s Smith on Dec.19

LOS ANGELES: Pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez will make his long-awaited return to the ring next month when he batles Britain’s world super-middleweight champion Callum Smith, both fighters’ camps confirmed on Tuesday.

Alvarez, recognised as the holder of World Boxing Association’s middleweight “super” belt, has not fought since scoring an 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev in a light-heavyweight duel last November.

The 30-year-old Mexican star’s return to the ring has been held up amid a dispute with promoter Oscar de la Hoya and streaming service DAZN.

Alvarez, who signed a $350 million five-year deal with DAZN in 2018, earlier this month announced he was a free agent ater severing his ties with the plaform and De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

However Alvarez’s December 19 fight with Smith will be aired on the DAZN plaform on a one-off basis. The exact venue is to be confirmed, but US reports said it is likely to take place in Texas.

Smith, who holds the WBA’S supermiddlweight title, is 27-0 with 19 wins by knockout.

The 30-year-old from Liverpool will be making his third defence of the title he won by knocking out George Groves in September 2018.

Like Alvarez, Smith has also spent a year out of the ring. His last fight was a hardfought unanimous decision victory over John Ryder last November.

Although unbeaten, Smith will start as the clear underdog against Alvarez, who boasts a 53-1-2 record with 36 knockouts.

Alvarez, widely regarded as the best poundfor-pound fighter in the world, has lost only once in his career, a majority decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2014.

Smith, undefeated in 27 fights, said: “I’ve been wanting a big fight since becoming world champion, so I’m pleased that during these challenging times we can deliver to the fans a fight between the very best in the division.

“I truly believe I (will) beat him and will prove that 168lbs is my division.”

Smith had set his sights on the Mexican back in June, telling the PA news agency: “If I clean out the super middleweight division and if he’s in that division then I’m the only fight for him.”