Las Vegas could lose ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s next fight to Dallas

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez could be ditching the Strip for the Lone Star State for his next fight.

Alvarez was expected to fight Liam Smith at T-Mobile Arena Arena on Sept. 17, but reports have emerged of a change in venue to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Last month, the Nevada Athletic Commission signed off on Golden Boy Promotions’ request to reserve T-Mobile Arena. Bob Bennett, the NAC executive director, told the Review-Journal in June “everything is set in stone” for Alvarez to meet Smith at the new Las Vegas venue. The NAC also had the bout marked on its online calendar.

Bennett said he’s aware of the fight possibly moving to the home of the Dallas Cowboys, but nothing was confirmed. According to multiple reports, Golden Boy Promotions is expected to make the fight location announcement early next week.

Alvarez versus Smith, an unknown British fighter, will definitely come short of selling out the 80,000-seat venue in Dallas, but it would do more than the 16,000 in attendance for Alvarez’s fight against Amir Khan at T-Mobile Arena in May. Texas has a large Latino community with many supporting the Mexican boxer.

Last year, Alvarez drew 31,588 for his fight against veteran James Kirkland at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Alvarez has lost some of his luster with boxing fans disappointed he didn’t fight Gennady Golovkin in a middleweight showdown this fall. AT&T Stadium was rumored to be the host site if Alvarez met Golovkin.

Moving down in weight to fight WBO junior middleweight champion Smith and asking fans to fork over $60 for the HBO pay-per-view bout also didn’t help Alvarez win back fans.

A fight at “Jerry’s World” could determine if Alvarez is still the biggest draw in boxing.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24