Why isn't Canelo Alvarez fighting IBF mandatory Sergey Derevyanchenko?

Why hasn't Canelo Alvarez vs Sergey Derevyanchenko fight been made?

The mandated IBF middleweight title defence for Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (59-1-2) against Sergey Derevyanchenko (13-1) has not been agreed upon, so the International Boxing Federation have duly stripped Saul of the title, but why?

The IBF called for purse bids to be submitted by July 23, but negotiations stalled eventually leading to a 'No Deal'.

'The Technician', 33 from Ukraine, challenged Daniel Jacobs (34-2) for his IBF World middleweight title in October 2018, losing by split decision in a closely-contested fight. A win over IBF #8 Jack Culcay (25-3) in April this year has put him back in the No.1 position with the International Boxing Federation.

WBA 'Super' World middleweight champion Canelo has a win over Derevyanchenko's sole conqueror, Jacobs, by unanimous decision at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo - May 5.

Initially, it was reported that DAZN didn't believe that the Beijing 2008 Olympian would be a big enough name to draw fight fans in.

Despite his impressive amateur pedigree and extensive accolades, this fight didn't materialise because Canelo was wary of SD's boxing ability, it was purely down to money, a familiar story in boxing.

With the record-breaking $300+ million contract deal Alvarez signed with DAZN, the negotiations between promoters became so complicated that it resulted in the mandated fight not being made, the champion stripped of the belt, and no idea who either fighter will be facing next. Such a shame.

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya then branded the decision rom the IBF "a disgrace to boxing", even though they were the ones who persistantly stalled negotiations and requested extensions to purse bids until no agreement could be made. In short, they were not overjoyed by the popularity of the fighter and the ability to sell the fight, coupled with how much percentage they were willing to give to the challenger, which was far less than the standard 35%.

Both Canelo and Derevyanchenko are now without opponents or fight dates on the horizon. Both have come out as losers, but not more so than the boxing fans, Again, a familiar story in boxing.