Canelo Álvarez vs. William Scull – 12 rounds, Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship

Canelo Álvarez – 167.1 lbs

William Scull – 166.1 lbs

Álvarez: “This is a beautiful experience for me to be able to come here and fulfill my dream of fighting in another country… I don’t care about the height or size. If you’re a good fighter, it doesn’t matter. I’ve been in there with everybody.”

Scull: “I know exactly what I need to do. I put together a great game plan and I’m going to adhere to it.…I’m going to show everyone what William Scull is made of and take the undisputed championship back home.”

Badou Jack vs. Noel Mikaelian – 12 rounds, WBC Cruiserweight World Championship

Badou Jack – 200 lbs

Noel Mikaelian – 198.1 lbs

Jack: “I’m not 41, he looks 10 years older than me…Every fight is important to me. All of the back and forth about belts doesn’t matter; we’ll find out who’s the best tomorrow night…There are levels to boxing. I take care of my body, so I feel like I’m the young buck in this fight.”

Mikaelian: “This is just another fight. I’m the champion, and I’m gonna defend my belt. I love all the Mexican fans here, they bring boxing to life…Badou is doing what he has to do. He says age is just a number, but he’s 41 and I wish him all the best tomorrow night…He’s a veteran who knows what he’s doing and I respect that and I don’t underestimate him…Tomorrow is my night.”

Jaime Munguia vs. Bruno Surace – 12 rounds, Super Middleweight Rematch

Jaime Munguia – 167.7 lbs

Bruno Surace – 167.7 lbs

Munguia: “I’m very excited, and I can’t wait for the moment where I get back into the ring. I’m ready for this fight… I’m full of adrenaline, and I’ve put in so much work because I know I have to bring this victory home. It’s gonna be a great night.”

Surace: “I know that Munguia is a champion and I’m very excited to share the ring with him again… I’ve prepared well, and I have the will to win. Just like the first fight. I will give everything.”

Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba, 10 rounds, Heavyweights

Martin Bakole – 299 lbs

Efe Ajagba – 240 lbs

Bakole: “We’re saving everything for tomorrow… The talking is over. We have a war tomorrow, and the best fighter will win.”

Ajagba: “I’m very confident and ready to fight. I’m looking forward to Saturday night.”

Richard Riakporhe vs. Kevin Nicolas Espindola, 8 rounds, Heavyweights

Richard Riakporhe – 235 lbs

Kevin Nicolas Espindola – 297 lbs

Riakporhe: “The weight difference is no problem for me… I feel really good. I can eat normally, and I feel healthier. I’m punching hard, so everyone tune in. When I’m in the ring, you know the bombs are gonna go off.”

Brayan Leon vs. Aaron Rocha Guerrero, 6 rounds, Light Heavyweights

Brayan Leon – 169.1 lbs

Aaron Rocha Guerrero – 166.1 lbs

Leon: “I was just showing him one last bit of disrespect during our stare down before we get into the ring tomorrow…This is a very important fight for me, so I’m very excited. I need to show the hard work that I put in and win by knockout. I give him maximum three rounds.”

Marco Verde vs. Michel Galvan Polina, 6 rounds, Middleweights

Marco Verde – 158.7 lbs

Michel Galvan Polina – 159.8 lbs

Verde: “This is very different from the amateurs, and I’m very happy to have the time to recover. This is my pro debut and I need to put on a good show… I want to fight my style. I’m always looking for the counterpunch.”

Mohammed Alakel vs. Alexander Morales, 6 rounds, Super Featherweights

Mohammed Alakel – 134.1 lbs

Alexander Morales – 133.6 lbs

Alakel: “I’m looking forward to this. Just one day to go and I’m excited. All the hard work is done and hopefully I can put on a great performance for my people… There’s no pressure; hopefully I become 4-0 tomorrow.”

Álvarez and Scull hit the scales before a historic Saturday night as they headline an eight-fight card as part of DAZN’s Knockout Weekend Bundle — two back-to-back nights of world-class boxing, available exclusively on DAZN PPV. TONIGHT (5 p.m. ET), Friday, May 2, The Ring Magazine presents FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, a first-of-its-kind five-fight card live from Times Square featuring Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez. One night later, Canelo vs.Scull headlines an electric Riyadh Season event on Saturday, May 3, as Álvarez and Scull fight for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Title. Fans can watch both events for just $90 (pricing may vary by market). For full details, visitDAZN.com/boxing.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – (May 1, 2025) – Boxing superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) and the undefeated super middleweight champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) held a tense face-off on Thursday at the final press conference ahead of Álvarez’s Riyadh Season debut for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship this Saturday, May 3, live worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV from anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of Riyadh Season. 

Álvarez and Scull sized each other up before a historic Saturday night as they headline an eight-fight card as part of DAZN’s Knockout Weekend Bundle — two back-to-back nights of world-class boxing, available exclusively on DAZN PPV. On Friday, May 2, The Ring Magazine presents FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, a first-of-its-kind five-fight card live from Times Square featuring Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez. One night later, Canelo vs. Scull headlines an electric Riyadh Season event on Saturday, May 3, as Álvarez and Scull fight for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Title. Fans can watch both events for just $90 (pricing may vary by market). For full details, visit DAZN.com/boxing.

The four-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Álvarez, who was recently appointed as a Riyadh Season ambassador, aims to reclaim the IBF belt from Scull, who secured the title after defeating Vladimir Shishkin in October of the previous year. The Ring Magazine 168-Pound World Champion Álvarez can become a two-time undisputed champion at the weight by adding the IBF to his WBC, WBO, and WBA titles.

The press conference also included WBC Cruiserweight World Champion and three-division champion Badou Jack and WBC Cruiserweight Champion in Recess Noel Mikaelian, ahead of their co-main event clash, plus Mexican star Jaime Munguia and the hard-hitting Bruno Surace, who battle in a hotly anticipated rematch of last year’s The Ring Magazine Upset of the Year, and heavyweight titans Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba, who meet in an explosive 10-round showdown. The full lineup of action begins on DAZN PPV at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT.

Thursday’s event also featured rising Cuban light heavyweight contender Brayan Leon, who squares off against Mexico’s Aaron Rocha Guerreo in a six-round fight,plus 2024 Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde, who competes in a six-round middleweight affair battling Mexico’s Michel Galvan Polina, as well as sensational Saudi prospect Mohammed “Mighty Mo” Alakel, who takes on Alexander Morales in six rounds of featherweight action and veteran contender Richard Riakporhe, who makes his heavyweight debut in an eight-round battle against Kevin Nicolas Espindola. 

Catch the Canelo vs. Scull weigh-in tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on the DAZN Boxing YouTube. See below for what the fighters had to say at Thursday’s press conference:

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez

“I love boxing, and I’m very excited to be here. It’s one of my dreams to fight in other countries, and now I’m about to do it. I’m motivated like I always am.

“At the beginning, the time change and the weather was a little bit difficult. But that’s why I came three weeks early. I’m ready now. 

“Being undisputed means a lot. It’s history for my career and that’s what I want. That’s what motivates me. 

“I expect that he’ll be difficult in the beginning, just like in the Erislandy Lara fight. But I’m a different fighter now and he’s gonna feel it on Saturday.

“I hope he goes for it, but I don’t think he will. He says he’s gonna eat me, but the only thing he’s gonna eat are these fists. Everybody talks up here, but when they’re in the ring, it’s something different.”

William Scull

“We’re going to take this fight round by round. I’m a boxer who can manage all types of distances in the ring. We’ll have to see how that plan develops. 

“I left Cuba 23 years ago, and since then I’ve gone on to fight in 24 countries. I’ve always gone into situations where I’m being underestimated. I don’t really care what people say. I’m coming to show that ‘yes, you can.’

“You’re always ready for the possibility of something like this fight coming along. I have to thank Team Canelo for accepting this fight. We’re going to give everyone a great show.”

Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s Manager & Trainer

“A lot of people talk about the time change fighting here, but when you work with somebody as disciplined as Canelo is, who has all that experience, he can adjust to any type of timetable. He’s a fighter, he’s a champion, and he’s always shown that. 

“Even when Canelo was in the gym as a teenager, he always had that hunger to continue growing in the sport. He’s in better shape now than some fighters who are 20. He’s an example inside of the ring and outside it. 

“Without a doubt the Cuban boxing school is one of the best. It’s produced some wonderful champions and trainers. What we need to do on Saturday is impose the Mexican boxing school on him. Scull is a great fighter and a wonderful champion who comes from a great background, but we have plans and we’re coming to win.”

Franquis Aldama, Scull’s Trainer

“I have 100% confidence in William Scull. He has to do what he’s always done before, and that’s go out there and just fight.

“This training camp has been fantastic. It went really well and he’s gonna show that to everyone on May 3.”

Frank Warren, Queensbury Promotions

“Riyadh is where the biggest fights in boxing happen and now the biggest fighter in the world is here. It’s a perfect marriage.”

Richard Schaefer, Team Canelo

 “We knew back in the day when he was 17 years old that Canelo was a superstar in the making. He has God-given talent, and we knew he was special. Through hard work and dedication, he really propelled his career. Today he is the face of boxing and, in my opinion, the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.”

Ingo Volckmann, Scull’s Promoter

“I’m very proud to be here with William Scull. We’re prepared to take advantage of this opportunity against the biggest fighter in boxing. William Scull is a champion as well, and he’s gonna try his best to take the belts. 

“Scull is a champion, and he’s trained very well. He has 300 amateur fights in Cuba, and we’ve had so many good rounds in training. I’ve never seen him in such good condition like he is now, so everything is possible.”

Badou Jack

“I’ve been in the gym and training hard every day to get back into the ring… It’s been very frustrating, but I always stayed disciplined. Now we’re back like I never left.

“I was preparing for another fighter, but I expect a tougher fight from Mikaelian. We could have picked an easy fight, but we picked him. We needed to face him to get to a unification fight anyway, so I just said, why not?” 

Noel Mikaelian

“I am the full world champion. There’s an agenda being pushed, and I’m here to prove that this agenda is just politics. That’s the only reason I’ve been out of the ring, but I’m grateful to be here now.

“I was preparing to fight at the end of May anyway, and when this fight became available, I stepped in. It’s a great opportunity. Jack is a great name, and it’s a pleasure to share the ring with him and put that name on my record.

“I don’t care about short notice. I always find a way, and I’m going to find a way this time as well.”

Jaime Munguia

“I’m delighted to be here and all I can say is that we’re conscious of what we’re going into. I promise everyone a great fight on Saturday. 

“In our first fight we went out and committed a grave error of going forward with my hand down. The shot connected, and what happened, happened. But I have no doubt we’ll get my hand raised in the rematch.

“It was a huge change from the last fight, and I’ve adapted a lot now that I’m training with Eddy Reynoso. I believe that I’ve advanced a great deal and developed my style in the way I want. It’s the best camp I’ve ever had.”

Bruno Sarace

“My life has changed since the win and now I’m fighting on this huge card. I know what I have to do to keep going and I’m excited to be fighting Munguia again.

“People talk a lot about luck, but if you know boxing, you know why I’m here again. I’m going to prove that there was no luck.

“This training camp was all about hard work. Munguia is a champion, so I know he’s been training hard too. This is gonna be a massive fight.”

Martin Bakole

“I’m done with the talking and I’m ready to face my opponent on Saturday night…The Joseph Parker fight was not my fight, this here on Saturday is my fight and I’m ready for it.

“No one is scared of him. We’re gonna see what he can do on Saturday. He’s just talking right now. 

“I’m asking Ajagba to be tough, because he’s going to get punishment.”

Efe Ajagba

“I’m looking forward to this fight. This is nothing new to me and I can’t wait. 

“I was not fully prepared for the Frank Sanchez fight, but this fight is going to be different. I’ve done everything I needed to do to be prepared…I want to bring out the beast in me. I’m going to stick to my game plan and get the victory.

“He keeps talking, but I’m gonna close his mouth.”

Brayan Leon

“Training alongside Canelo has been a tremendous experience. He’s one of the greatest fighters in history and being with him has me feeling very prepared. 

“I would describe myself as a strong and aggressive fighter. We’re going to do everything we can to make it seven knockouts on Saturday.”

Marco Verde 

“I’m very thankful to Eddy Reynoso, I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity. I’m gonna take full advantage of it. 

“When I started boxing, I knew it was for me and I felt like it was in my blood. I believe that I have a big future in the sport.

“Fans can expect a great fight. We’re both prepared, and I’ve had a great training camp that has me ready for a strong six rounds.”

Mohammed “Mighty Mo” Alakel

“It feels great and I’m always thankful for these opportunities. I’ve been working really hard and hopefully I can put on a great performance for my people. 

“I’ve learned a lot from [trainer] Joe Gallagher. He’s helped me stay disciplined in the gym and has shown me what hard work really is. I’m very grateful. 

“If you work hard, the sky’s the limit. I’ve been working really hard and that’s the most important thing…I’m going to put on a great performance.”

Richard Riakporhe

“Right now the heavyweight division in the UK is booming. Now is the perfect time for me to be a part of it. There are so many fights to be made, on every single level. That’s why we’re here.

“When I began boxing, I always wanted to be a part of the heavyweight division. I see it as the pinnacle of boxing. 

“Not having to cut weight feels like cheating. To be able to fuel myself, I feel like I’m much more energetic, especially during fight week. I’m feeling fantastic.”

#      #      #

ABOUT DAZN
As a world-leading sports entertainment platform, DAZN streams over 90,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 3,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.? 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – (April 29, 2025) – Boxing superstar, global icon Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) and the undefeated super middleweight champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) officially kicked off fight week events on Tuesday, making their Grand Arrivals before Álvarez’s Riyadh Season debut for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship, this Saturday, May 3, live worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV from anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of Riyadh Season. 

Álvarez and Scull both promised great action and history in the ring on Saturday night as they headline a eight-fight card as part of DAZN’s Knockout Weekend Bundle — two back-to-back nights of world-class boxing, available exclusively on DAZN PPV. On Friday, May 2, The Ring Magazine presents FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, a first-of-its-kind five-fight card live from Times Square featuring Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez. One night later, Canelo vs.Scull headlines an electric Riyadh Season event, on Saturday, May 3, as Álvarez and Scull fight for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Title. Fans can watch both events for just $90 (pricing may vary by market). For full details, visit DAZN.com/boxing.

The four-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Álvarez, who was recently appointed as a Riyadh Season ambassador, aims to reclaim the IBF belt from Scull, who secured the title after defeating Vladimir Shishkin in October of the previous year. The Ring Magazine 168-Pound World Champion Álvarez can become a two-time undisputed champion at the weight by adding the IBF to his WBC, WBO and WBA titles.

The Grand Arrivals also included WBC Cruiserweight World Champion and three-division champion Badou Jack and WBC Cruiserweight Champion in Recess Noel Mikaelian, ahead of their co-main event clash, plus Mexican star Jaime Munguia and the hard-hitting Bruno Surace, who clash in a hotly anticipated rematch, and heavyweight titans Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba, who meet in an explosive 10-round showdown. The full lineup of action begins on DAZN PPV at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT.

Catch the rest of Canelo vs. Scull fight week events daily at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on the DAZN Boxing YouTube. See below for what the fighters had to say about their showdowns on Tuesday:

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez

“I feel great. I feel like I’m at home, and I’ve trained really well. This is something new for me and I’m very grateful. This is one of my dreams to fight in other countries. I’m enjoying everything about it.

“I’m always looking for the best and I know really good things are coming for me.

“This is important for me because Mexican fighters go to other countries as opponents. Now I’m here as the ‘A-side’ in Saudi Arabia and that opens the door to other fighters from Mexico, and I’m proud to do that for my country.

“I’m here to make history, and it motivates me even more at this point in my career. I’m proud to bring the Mexican flag everywhere I go and represent my country.”

William Scull

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity, and I’m very happy to be here in Saudi Arabia. I’m enjoying every minute before I get to business on Saturday.

“I have the utmost respect for Canelo, but I’m here for one reason and that’s to win. That’s it. I’m gonna eat him.

“I’m focused on what I have to do. I’m very excited because I’m here to shut some mouths and do exactly what I need to do on Saturday.”

Badou Jack

“I’m just glad to be back in the ring. I had a bit of a layoff, so I’m very excited and can’t wait until fight night.

“I don’t think the layoff will be a factor. I think it’s a good thing. It wasn’t my choice, things happen, and now thanks to His Excellency, I have the opportunity to fight again.

“This is a lifestyle. You can’t just train when it’s training camp. You have to train all year round, live clean, sleep good, recovery and everything.

“This is a tough fight. He took the fight on three-and-a-half weeks’ notice, but he was already in training camp. So I think he’ll be ready and I know I’m ready.

“I’ve fought everybody in the world, whether it’s super middleweight, light heavyweight, or cruiserweight. Just tune in, I’m definitely ready.”

Jaime Munguia

“We’re very grateful for this opportunity and we’re very excited, not only because we’re here in Riyadh, but because we got this rematch. It’s nothing but excitement.

“We’re going to do things a lot better in this fight. We’re going to be alert and paying attention to everything in the ring, because we want to give the fans the fight they deserve.”

Bruno Sarace

“The knockout of Munguia was an unbelievable moment, and I have the will to do it again.

“I think the pressure is not with me. He has to avenge his loss, and I just have to give my best. The pressure is on his side.

“I’ve prepared like a champion, and I come like a champion. Everything is different, and I’m going to show everyone the new version of me on May 3.”

LONDON, 16 April 2025 – DAZN Group, the global sports entertainment company and leading destination for boxing fans worldwide, today unveiled an exclusive knockout weekend bundle offer for two of the biggest nights of boxing in recent history: the historic Friday, 2 May three-fight Ring Magazine card in Times Square starting at 6pm ET and the highly anticipated Riyadh Season debut of Saúl “Canelo” Alvarez on Saturday, 3 May starting at 7pm ET. 

In a broadcasting first, both events will be available worldwide exclusively on DAZN PPV over Cinco de Mayo weekend together for only $90 (pricing varies by market). Events can be purchased individually for $59.99, but the bundle offers fans a chance to experience boxing’s biggest weekend at unbeatable value.

With Canelo headlining on one night and a Times Square takeover on the other, the bundle brings together two global events that tap into the energy, scale, and storytelling fans expect from a fight weekend. It’s a rare moment where boxing becomes a cultural event — and DAZN is putting fans at the center of it.

“This bundle is a prime example of how DAZN is reshaping the future of fight sports,” said Pete Oliver, CEO, Growth Markets at DAZN. “We’re bringing together two of the most anticipated events of the year — a first-of-its-kind fight night in Times Square and Canelo’s return in Riyadh — and making them more accessible than ever. Our goal is to deliver premium boxing experiences to fans around the world, whether they’re following rising prospects or watching global icons. This is a major moment for the sport, and DAZN is proud to lead from the front.”

The action begins Friday, 2 May, live from Times Square in New York City, with a three-fight, star-studded card featuring some of boxing’s most electric personalities. Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, headlines the night as he challenges Rolando “Rolly” Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) for the WBA Welterweight Title in what promises to be a clash of power and charisma. In the co-main event, undefeated two-division world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) faces former unified titleholder Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in a battle of elite super lightweights. Rounding out the lineup, Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs), the reigning WBO Super Lightweight Champion and former unified lightweight king, defends his title against unbeaten contender Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs). Presented in partnership with SNK Corporation, Golden Boy Promotions, and Matchroom Boxing, this historic card marks the first-ever Ring Magazine event held in the United States and brings boxing to one of the most iconic backdrops in the world.

One night later on Saturday, 3 May, global superstar Saúl Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) makes his debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facing the undefeated super middleweight champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) at the ANB Arena. This main event pairs a generational icon with a hungry, unbeaten challenger — a classic collision of legacy and ambition on boxing’s biggest stage. As Canelo continues his reign at the top of the sport, Scull arrives with everything to gain and nothing to lose — making for a high-stakes showdown with global implications.

The action doesn’t stop there. The undercard features one of the most competitive lineups of the year, stacked with champions, grudge matches, and rising stars. Former world champion Jaime Munguía (44-2, 35 KOs) looks to avenge a stunning knockout loss in a rematch with undefeated Argentine Bruno Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) after their first bout ended in round six and sent shockwaves through the division. Heavyweights Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) and Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) collide in a high-risk clash that could vault the winner into title contention. WBC Cruiserweight Champion Badou Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) makes his first defense against Canadian knockout artist Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs), known for his aggressive style that is a fan favourite. In a light heavyweight battle of grit and momentum, rising Cuban prospect Brayan Leon (6-0, 6 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against Mexican veteran Aaron Rocha Guerrero (11-3-1, 7 KOs). And in his long-awaited professional debut, middleweight Marco Verde looks to make an early statement against the experienced Michel Galvan Polina (4-5-3, 2 KOs). From redemption arcs to breakout moments, the 3 May card delivers a full night of storylines — all unfolding live on DAZN.

In recognising the importance of these back-to-back marquee events, DAZN has put fans first and offers a bundle that allows subscribers to enhance their streaming experience and take in fights that will change the course of the boxing and broadcasting landscapes. 

For additional information, please visit DAZN.com/boxing.

– ENDS –

ABOUT DAZN
As a world-leading sports entertainment platform, DAZN streams over 90,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 3,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.? 

By Norm Frauenheim

Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford will share a ring and not much else on a projected day in September. In part, the differences are what make their planned fight so intriguing. 

Canelo has a documented advantage on the scale and perhaps another one among fans. Shifting odds, reported here last week https://www.15rounds.com/2025/03/30/canelo-crawford-interest-builds-as-odds-continue-to-favor-canelo/, suggest the public increasingly favors Canelo.

Then, there are the intangibles, hard to define, nonetheless there on social media in a tireless debate that only figures to get noisier by multiple octaves. 

It’s a fight with a genuine chance to remind us that legacy — rendered irrelevant by overuse — can still mean something. Put it this way: Canelo, bigger and wealthier, is fighting to preserve his; Crawford, smaller and less popular, is fighting to guarantee his own. 

It’s not that simple, of course. It never is amid the inherent chaos sure to happen before any conflict. It’s messy, a drama expected to exasperate and entertain. But the stakes are there, clearcut in a fight between two of the best in their generation. A younger one is emerging. Canelo-Crawford represents a passing-of-the torch, that last major bout for fighters who’ll reunite in Canastota NY at a Hall of Fame induction in about five years. The winner of this one can claim to be the best of his day. In a time that will be remembered for a risk-to-reward ratio and fights that didn’t happen, it just doesn’t get much better than that.

On the scale and their resumes, we know the differences. Crawford is unbeaten at 140, 147 and 154 pounds in a reign that includes undisputed titles at junior-welter and welterweight. Canelo has lost twice, going upscale from 154 to 160, 168 and 175 pounds. 

At 168, it’s safe to argue that nobody has ever been better than Canelo. At 147, there’s an argument that Crawford could have been an all-timer, among the best in the fabled welterweight division, good enough to perhaps be a fifth king in the four-sided rivalry so powerfully captured by the late George Kimball in his book, Four Kings, about Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns.

The respective arguments are there, an inseparable part of what is also at stake.

For now, Crawford and Canelo enter the ring with only one thing in common: A victory over Amir Khan. On paper, at least, the Khan fights settle nothing. Both Canelo and Crawford scored sixth-round stoppages over Khan, Crawford winning by TKO in April 2019 at welterweight and Canelo by KO in May 2016 at a 155-pound catchweight.

Crawford knocked down and nearly knocked out Khan in the first round. But the fight ended in controversy. After an apparent low blow, Khan’s corner said he could not continue. Canelo simply overwhelmed Khan in the sixth walking through his punches and knocking him unconscious. Yet, Khan was competitive in the early rounds. 

At the time of stoppage, Canelo trailed, 47-46, on one card. He led 49-46 and 48-47 on the other two. 

Other than the low blow, there was no argument about the scoring for Crawford-Khan. At the time of stoppage, Crawford was on his way to a runaway decision — 49-45, 50-44, 49-45.

In the buildup to Canelo-Crawford, the scorecards figure to be part of the story, an item in the debate. But the two fights were separated by three years. Khan was a different fighter in each. So, too, were Canelo and Crawford, now at the end of their primes. Canelo is 34. Crawford will be 38 on Sept. 28.

In the end, however, there will be a parallel that will further the intrigue and perhaps set the stage for what follows. Floyd Mayweather Jr., a dominant face of the generation before Canelo-Crawford, looms as a significant point of comparison.

Canelo has fought him, losing a decision in 2013 that proved to be a lesson and a milestone for the business-like way Canelo turned himself into boxing’s biggest pay-per-view draw over the next 12 years. Crawford has not fought Mayweather and presumably never will. 

Since Crawford’s singular display of welterweight brilliance in a stoppage of Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023, fans and media wonder at how Crawford, a dynamic finisher at welterweight and still unbeaten, would have done against Mayweather, who retired unbeaten as one of history’s greatest defensive fighters. We’ll never know.

But Canelo-Crawford — who wins and how it happens — figures to produce documented history and an intriguing look about how different eras compare. That’s real legacy. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Date and place remain uncertain, but exploding interest in Canelo Alvarez-versus-Terence Crawford six months before a projected opening bell is already evident in the noisy debate on social media and shifting numbers in the betting line. 

The social-media noise will continue, ad nauseam. But it’s the betting line, an early poll of sorts, that is showing a shift of public opinion toward Canelo. 

Canelo opened as a slight favorite, minus-190. But the odds, the dollars, are moving toward Canelo during the weeks since an 11th-hour deal was struck with Saudi Prince and promoter Turki Alalshikh on Feb. 7. 

This week Canelo is at minus-230. Translated, that means there’s a 66-percent chance he wins a fight as intriguing as any for a bout expected to happen in September in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles. 

The early odds figure to change more, especially during the first Saturday in May when Canelo is expected to reunify the super-middleweight title against International Boxing Federation belt-holder William Scull, a Cuban living in Germany, in a perceived tune-up in Riyadh. 

Canelo figures to win easily, but how easily will be a key factor going into the fight against Crawford, a four-division champion and an all-time welterweight great who is moving up two weight classes.

Increasingly, there’s social-media talk that the smaller, more skillful Crawford can beat Canelo. But the shifting odds say something else. There’s an old line: In a fight between two good fighters, bet on the bigger guy. For now, that’s Canelo. 

According to the latest odds update, Crawford has a 33 percent chance at springing one of the biggest upsets since Manny Pacquiao, then a lightweight champion, jumped to welterweight and scored an eighth-round stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008.

Pacquiao weighed in at 142 pounds. De La Hoya, who came down from junior middleweight, was at 145 at the official weigh-in. It looked as if De La Hoya had weakened himself in the battle to make weight. Pacquiao overwhelmed De La Hoya late in the eighth, forcing him to quit before the start of the ninth.

Canelo, already known to tire in the later rounds, won’t have to weaken himself on the scale. According to the agreement, he’ll be at his customary weight, 168 pounds at the weigh-in the day before opening bell. 

It’s up to Crawford, who fought and won a belt at junior-middle (154) in his last bout, to add pounds. The question is how that will affect Crawford, who unlike Canelo does not have a fight scheduled before the projected September bout.

If Crawford can carry the additional weight without draining his endurance or eroding the dynamic resilience in his varied skillset, he’s got a real chance. Canelo has never faced anybody with Crawford’s quicksilver ability to adjust, including a seamless move from orthodox to southpaw and back. 

At 37 — he’ll be 38 on Sept 28, Crawford’s feet might not move with the agility and speed that they did when he was at lightweight and junior-welter. 

If, however, Crawford withstands Canelo’s early power, carries the weight and carries himself into the later rounds, there’s a chance he catches a tiring Canelo with counters from angles the powerful Mexican has yet to see.

On the scale of intangibles, the edge goes to Crawford. There’s charisma in his defiance. Motivation, too. Underdog will be the perfect fit for Crawford in his pursuit of big money and genuine legacy. 

It’s not as if Crawford is coming into what might be his last fight seeking a gigantic payout against a Jake Paul or a Conor McGregor. He’s taking on perhaps the biggest challenge possible against a bigger man, Canelo, who goes into the fight more than just favored.

Canelo is supposed to win. There’s pressure in that role, but it’s one Canelo understands better than any fighter in his generation. 

He’s learned how to counter it and how to use it throughout the years since a milestone scorecard loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013. If social media and shifting odds are any indication, that pressure is just beginning to build.

Best bet:

It’s going to be a hell of a fight.

HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (March 19, 2025) – Canadian cruiserweight challenger Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) will finally get his World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight World title shot against defending champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KOs) on May 3^rd on the Riyadh Season’s high-profile card headlined by the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) versus William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) for the Unified Super Middleweight World Championship. 

All the action will be stream live on DAZN PPV.

Proudly channeling his boxing idol, Hall of Famer Jack Dempsey, Rozicki is the WBC No. 1 mandatory challenger for the third time, but he will now get his long-awaited shot. His promoter, Three Lions Promotions, won the purse bid and had originally secured a date and venue, April 26 at Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Negotiations led to Jack vs. Rozicki being added to the May 3^rd show in Riyadh.

“We would like to thank his excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, David Ghansa from 258 Management, and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman for making this fight possible. Ryan is fighting on the biggest stage possible, and he is more than ready. Come May 3 there will be a new WBC World Cruiserweight Champion,” Rozicki’s promoter Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions) proclaimed. “The world is going to witness the hardest puncher in boxing today. Rozicki is going to walk right through Jack and get him out of there early, mark my words!”  

Rozicki, 30, has been the WBC’s mandatory challenger since 2023, first for then-WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelyan (27-2, 12 KOs), who failed to make his ordered title defense with Rozicki. The WBC named Mikaelyan its “Champion In Recess,” elevating Jack to its World Cruiserweight Champion from his position as the WBC “Champion In Recess.” Three-division world champion Jack, 41, hasn’t fought since he captured the crown on February 26, 2023.

Rozicki’s aggressive, powerful style of fighting (“The Bruiser”) has been modeled after Dempsey and the two, despite Ryan being born nearly 100 years to the day after Dempsey, even look similar. Known as a modern-day Jack Dempsey, Rozicki is dedicated to honoring Dempsey’s legacy.

“My style of fighting hasn’t been seen in Saudi Arabia,” Rozicki said. I’m going to knock him (Jack) out and end his boxing career. It’s that simple. These other fighters have been ducking and dodging me for long enough; I’m putting the whole division on blast, after I’m finished with Jack, I want Jai (Opetaia – IBF, Ring Magazine, and lineal champion) and (Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ – WBA and WBO champion) next.” 

The May 3^rd card is absolutely loaded, arguably “The Event of the Year” from top to bottom. In addition to Canelo vs. Scully and Jack vs. Rozicki, other fights include middleweight Jaime Munguia (44-2, 35 KOs) vs. Bruno Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) in a rematch of their fight which was won by the latter in a major upset, as well as heavyweight hopeful Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) vs. Efe Ajagba (20-1, 16 KOs).

By Norm Frauenheim

Canelo Álvarez, who has never fought anywhere outside of the Western Hemisphere, arrived in New York Thursday, the first step in a journey that will lead him to answer his first opening bell somewhere out of the Americas.

Canelo is not exactly going global. He’s already introduced himself to the world with world-class wealth generated by the rock-and-roll power in his combinations. That beat — beatdown — figures to continue in Saudi Arabia during the first weekend in May against somebody named William Scull, a Cuban with a belt, mostly anonymity and virtually no chance.

At least, the oddsmakers don’t give him one.

His chances at beating Canelo are at 30-to-1. Odds were better that somebody in the audience Thursday knew who Scull was when he arrived at Radio City Music Hall for the newser. Scull wore a red cap, glasses and no name tag. He could have used one. He could have been a tourist looking for a slice of pizza for all anybody knew. Come to think of it, a hungry tourist in New York might have as much of a chance at upsetting Canelo in Riyadh. 

The stakes, after all, are huge in a brand new, four-fight Saudi deal that is supposed to begin with a tune-up, a set-up for a captivating September showdown, super-middleweight Canelo against all-time welterweight great and newly-minted junior-middleweight Terence Crawford at an NFL stadium.

Canelo, a careful pro in the ring and on the stage, didn’t want to talk about Crawford when asked if the Scull fight could risk the projected biggie.

“We don’t have a fight in September,’’ Canelo said during the live-stream. “There is only this fight. Then, we will see.’’

It didn’t take long for Saudi Prince Turki Alalshikh to remind Canelo of the real reason he signed him to a contract in a furious 11th-hour deal last month. 

September 12, Alalshikh said, offering a specific date for Canelo-Crawford on a Friday night at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders home field. Alalshikh told Canelo that he forgot to mention one item: The International Boxing Federation 168-pound belt, stripped from Canelo and then won by Scull in a unanimous decision over Vladimir Shiskin for the then vacant belt last October in Germany.

“I got you, don’t worry,’’ Canelo said, relaxed and smiling, said to Alalshikh.

It was a comment from a fighter in control, a sign that he also expects to be in control and undisputed all over again in May.

“He has only one belt, and that’s mine, too,’’ Canelo said of Scull.

Through an interpreter, Scull acknowledged he’s in a tough spot. He’s the designated fall guy in a bout that Alalshikh is confident will set the stage for a huge money-maker in September. 

“This is just how boxing is sometimes,’’ said Scull, who lives in Berlin.

But, Scull continued through an interpreter, “I’m going to shut up everybody. You’ll see.’’

For Scull, the newser on a New York stage was often awkward. He had never been there. The crowd grew restless when it couldn’t hear him in the early moments. Please, speak into the microphone, Canelo told him. It was Canelo’s show.

The Mexican, still boxing’s pay-per-view star, did say that Scull’s Cuban pedigree could present some problems.  Before his move to Germany, Scull learned how to box in the slick Cuban style, which has won a lot of Olympic medals but frustrates fans and opponents on the professional level.

“It’s going to be difficult, because the Cuban style always is,’’ Canelo said. “He has a lot of skills, but there is nobody else, no other Canelo, out there.’’

Canelo’s experience with Cuban fighters is perhaps defined by a difficult night against Erislandy Lara at junior-middleweight in July 2014 in Vegas. Canelo escaped with a controversial split-decision. Lara landed more punches (107, connecting at 28 percent) than Canelo (97, connecting at 23 percent.) 

The argument is that Canelo’s shots were more effective. Whatever you believe, the fight itself was a dud. The styles simply didn’t mix well enough to produce a fan-friendly fight. It’s safe to say Alalshikh is urging for more. He was talking about a belt when he mentioned “an item.’’ But the genuine item might be a knockout. Canelo hasn’t scored one since 2021.

Maybe, Canelo, now 34,  discovers some of his youthful power in his first fight in a different hemisphere. He concedes the atmosphere will be different. There’s talk that the fight will take place in the morning of May 3 in Riyadh. That way, Canelo’s Mexican fans have a better chance to see the PPV bout on a Cinco de May weekend, one of Canelo’s traditional dates.

“Different for me, for sure,’’ Canelo said.

But, he continued, he felt “most assured that the whole world is Canelo territory.’’

Alalshikh is betting on it.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (February 26, 2025) – Although Kansas isn’t a hotbed for boxing, blue-chip super middleweight prospect Marco “El Tiburón” Romero (4-0, 3 KOs) is on a mission to personally put his state on the pugilistic map, so to speak, as the potential successor to his favorite boxer, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

In a state known for its invaluable role in agriculture, often referred to as the “Breadbasket of America,” sports in Kansas City are ruled by the Kansas City Chiefs, the University of Kansas men’s basketball team, and occasionally the Kansas City Royals.

Kansas has only produced three professional world boxing champions: heavyweight Jess “Pottawatomie Giant” Willard (22-5-1, 21 KOs), a Hall of Famer born in St. Clere who fought out of Pottawatomie; plus, a pair of Garden City-born fighters, welterweight Victor Ortiz (33-7-3, 25 KOs) and lightweight Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (35-5-1, 26 KOs), who both turned pro in 2004. Willard, of course, is best known for knocking out Jack Johnson in round 26 of their 1915 World Heavyweight Championship match. In addition to “Canelo,” Ortiz and Rios also served as models for a young Romero.

Two other non-native Kansans who fought out of Kansas and captured world titles are heavyweight Tommy “The Duke” Morrison” (48-3-1, 42 KOs) and welterweight Rube “The Kansas Rube” Ferns (45-18-10, 32 KOs).

The irony is Romero’s manager/head trainer, living legend John Brown, has turned only two pros from the 18,000-plus amateurs he has trained, Romero and Morrison. Boxing hasn’t been a big draw in Kansas City – Kansas or Missouri – since Morrison (1988-2008), who fought nine times as a pro in that market, including a world title fight at Kemper Arena (Kansas City, MO).   

Other Kansas-natives who were outstanding boxers include No. 1 world rated heavyweight Fred “The Rochester Plasterer” Fulton (79-16-2, 71 KOs / 1913-1933), of Rochester; 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Nico Hernandez (11-0, 4 KOs / 2017-2023), of Wichita; No. 2 world rated lightweight Tommy “Chocolate Ice Cube” Campbell (45-12-6, 22 KOs / 1946-1951), of Kansas City; and world lightweight title challenger Jesse Flores (65-8-11, 25 KOs / 1945-1954), of Herington.

Romero’s ultimate dream is to bring World Championship boxing back to Kansas, in order to give back to his community and inspire other young and upcoming boxers from Kansas City, not necessarily just in boxing, but any sport. He wants to fill up Arrowhead Stadium one day, either defending or fighting for a world title.

Romero’s legendary head trainer/manager John Brown notes that Kansas City may not be known for producing top boxers, however, he attributes that to the lack of regular pro boxing shows there, which, of course, makes it difficult to develop local favorites to local boxing fans to support.

“I was able to fill arenas in this are with Tommy Morrisson (Brown was Morrison’s head trainer/manager) in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s due to him being a charismatic personality and a heavyweight who knocked out opponents. Prior to Tommy, we had Tony Chiaverini, who packed venues in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, proving KC will support a good fighter and good guy.”

Proud of his Mexican American heritage, Marco’s boxing idols are “Canelo” Alvarez, Julio Cesar Chavez and, of course, his namesake, Marco Antonio Barrera.

Romero dominated countless amateur youth tournaments, and he was rewarded in 2020 by being selected as a member of the USA National Boxing Team preparing to travel to Bulgaria to compete in a tournament. Unfortunately, COVID-19 struck and halted boxing worldwide.

Romero dreamed of representing the United States in the 2024 Olympics, however, he never had an opportunity to make the team heading to Paris for two primary reasons. The minimum age was moved from 18 to 19 (Marco didn’t turn 19 until after the Olympic Games had concluded on Nov. 19); Romero had outgrown his weight class (middleweight), and super middleweight wasn’t one of the weight classes sanctioned for competition in Paris.

“Marco’s skill, personality and good looks will soon captivate the city, particularly its huge Mexican population,” Brown predicted. “It is no small thing that Marco is bilingual and able to connect with his people. Marco’s growing popularity will open opportunities for other pros and amateurs from this area who dream of turning pro in the near future. If you have a winner, the fans will follow!”

In four professional bouts, Marco has won all nine rounds on each of the three judges’ scorecards.

Romero’s next fight is scheduled for March 14 in Denver and tentative plans call for him to fight for the first time as a prize fighter in his native Kansas on May 24^th in Topeka.

By Norm Frauenheim

Surprise, surprise, the Canelo Álvarez-Terence Crawford fight was off. Then, faster than flipping a light switch, it was back on. For the nut jobs gathered in the murky bottom of the social-media cesspool, that was the first sign of a lot more off and on. Sure enough, that’s what followed within a few hours Thursday. Canelo-Jake Paul was on, then suddenly off, in a dizzy sequence of dueling reports, all hard to follow in a sport known more for feints than facts.

Welcome to boxing, once called the red-light district of sports.  Buyer beware, which these days means don’t believe anything you read or hear because it’s about to change.

It all started late Wednesday with a Canelo-Crawford report from The Ring. Suddenly, a fight rumored for about a year and reportedly a done deal for September was suddenly off. Why? Fill in the blanks.

Immediately after news that — for “now” — the reported Canelo-Crawford fight in September on the Las Vegas Raiders home field is off, there were reports that Canelo would fight Jake Paul, who issued a statement Thursday evening, saying “when there is something to announce, we will announce it.’’

Turns out, there was nothing to announce. Instead, there was boxing’s new money man, Saudi Prince Turki Alalshikh, on social media, saying — somewhat cryptically — that Canelo had a four-fight deal for the Riyadh Season. It’s supposed to start on the first weekend in May, but apparently Paul will not be included, despite multiple reports to the contrary earlier in the day.  Meanwhile, The Ring, which Alalshikh recently bought, posted that Canelo-Paul was off. Please, pass the dramamine. It’s hard to know when this messy merry-go-round stops.

Above all, it suggests what everybody already knows. To wit: Boxing doesn’t know what it’s doing. Never has. The difference this week is the chaos. There’s more of that than ever. The best bet — perhaps the only one — is that the chaos will continue, leaving fans and media free to speculate wildly about what to believe and who to mock, what to rip and who to insult.

The best guess in this corner is that an untold amount of money was offered in some furious wheeling-and-dealing between the offs and ons, all in an 11th-hour effort to convince Canelo that he was better off with the Saudis than with a reported bout against Jake Paul. 

The Paul reports were credible, mostly because they made sense.

Canelo, the wealthiest boxer on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s richest athletes, has been more businessman than boxer over the last couple of years. He has employed the risk-reward formula he inherited from Floyd Mayweather Jr., who reportedly became a billionaire boxer by adhering to the ratio.

Paul has been calling out Canelo for years. As an aside, he has never called out David Benavidez, who also had been pursuing Canelo for years before his solid victory at light-heavyweight Saturday over David Morrell. Paul fought MMA star Anderson Silva in a boxing match two-plus years ago in Glendale AZ, just a few blocks from Phoenix streets where Benavidez grew up. 

“You call out Canelo, why not Benavidez?’’ I asked him at the formal news conference.

“I’m not ready for that,’’ Paul said.

He’s not. 

Not then. 

Especially not now.

Canelo, super-middleweight champ and still ranked in the middle of most pound-for-pound ratings, knows that, of course. He also knows that Crawford, an all-time welterweight great still among the top three in the pound-for-pound debate and now 1-0 at junior-middle, is a bigger risk than Paul ever could be. 

Like Benavidez, Paul has never called out Crawford either. 

The risk in either is not worth the reward.

But Paul, whose persona includes an edgy notoriety, has a social-media following that only Gallup can count. His drawing power is also undisputed. A Netflix audience for Paul’s sad spectacle against aging and ailing Mike Tyson on Nov. 15 was reported to peak at 65 million. The live crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX was announced at 72,300. Factor in all of that and it looked to be a no-brainer. 

The only downside would be the criticism Canelo would inevitably hear if he fought Paul, a novice boxer, instead of the emerging Benavidez or the feared Crawford, who is promoted by Alalshikh.  But the Saudi offer apparently was big, bigger than even the money Canelo might have made in a May date against Paul.

Apparently, the Saudi deal also restores plans for a Crawford fight against Canelo in September. Crawford tweeted Thursday night that he would wait on Canelo to fight a perceived tuneup in May. Super-middleweight belt-holder William Scull, a Cuban living in Germany, Jermall Charlo and Bruno Surface — who knocked out Jaime Munguia in a huge upset — are possibilities for the May date.

But there’s still a caveat. As of late Thursday, there was still no word — yes or no — from Canelo, the reigning Face of the Game. Only his final say-so can stop the chaos, or maybe just ignite a lot more of it.   

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has today announced that the historic heavyweight boxing mega-event featuring The Problem Child, Jake “El Gallo” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) vs. The Baddest Man on the Planet “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-7, 44 KOs) at AT&T Stadium has officially become the highest-grossing combat sports gate outside of Las Vegas in US history. Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 gate revenue officially earned $18,117,072 with an average ticket price of $304, more than double the previous $9M state combat sports gate record in the state of Texas set by Canelo Álvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders in 2021. Since headlining his first fight, Jake Paul has broken gate records at every arena he’s fought at during his professional career, and now Paul vs. Tyson is the biggest combat sports gate outside of Las Vegas in US history in terms of revenue with over 72,300 fans in attendance and the highest earning gate at AT&T Stadium for a combat sports event. For a complete overview of AT&T Stadium’s top combat sports gate history, please refer to the attached document. 

With over 65 million households tuning in, Paul vs Tyson shattered streaming records, becoming the most streamed sporting event in US history. The co-main event of Paul vs. Tyson featured undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) vs. unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history. With over 50 million households tuning in for the Taylor vs Serrano fight, it became the most-watched women’s sporting event in US history.

Most Valuable Promotion provided over 4,500 complimentary tickets to regional veterans and active military groups, local students and youth boxing gyms. Service organizations represented in attendance at Paul vs. Tyson included the USO, USAA and Boeing Merging Vets & Players program, Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Rise & Grind Veterans Workout community, NRS JAB Ft. Worth, the Junior ROTC Anthem Flag Game Day Flag Holders, American Airlines Title Game Veterans Groups, and the National Medal of Honor Museum. 

Most Valuable Promotions and Elevate also sold out of VIP Seating which in total, accounted for 375 VIP Hospitality seats. More than 30% of VIP buyers were from the state of Texas; with international purchasers represented from United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil, Ireland, Isle of Man, Istanbul, Canada, and England.

“Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 rewrote the record books, solidifying Most Valuable Promotions as a trailblazer in combat sports,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “From setting the highest gate outside of Las Vegas in U.S. history for a combat sports event to becoming the most streamed sporting event in U.S. history, this event is a testament to the global impact of Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and the incredible athletes on this card. We’re proud to have partnered with Netflix to deliver an event that brought fans together worldwide and broke many records. The UFC, which I believe to be the greatest combat sports organization of all time, has been in business for 30+ years and they have never put on an event of this magnitude. We established MVP three years ago and are just getting started. This is what it means to push the boundaries of what’s possible in sports entertainment. Congratulations and thank you to our team and our fans.”

The 3 fight preliminary card of Paul vs. Tyson, which streamed live on Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube, Netflix Sports YouTube, and Tudum also had massive streaming numbers. On MVP’s YouTube the prelims had 4.8M views, 3M unique viewers, with peak concurrent viewership of 425,000. Netflix Sports YouTube and Tudum saw 5.4M views on the preliminary card.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. Since inception MVP has consistently produced the biggest combat sports pay-per-view events. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. The company signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which is the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that the highly-anticipated heavyweight boxing mega-event featuring The Problem Child, Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) vs. The Baddest Man on the Planet “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) at AT&T Stadium has become the highest-grossing combat sports gate in Texas history. Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 gate revenue has surpassed $17.8 million, almost double the previous $9M state combat sports gate record set by Canelo Álvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders in 2021. Since headlining his first fight, Jake Paul has broken gate records at every arena he’s fought at during his professional career, and now Paul vs. Tyson is the biggest boxing gate outside of Las Vegas in US history in terms of revenue. The Paul vs. Tyson gate is also higher than any non-Las Vegas UFC gate in history, aside from Alvarez vs. McGregor in New York City.

With over 70,000 fans expected in attendance. The co-main event of Paul vs. Tyson features undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) vs. unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history. Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 will air live globally on Netflix on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

Most Valuable Promotion has also provided over 4,500 complimentary tickets to regional veterans and active military groups, local students and youth boxing gyms. Service organizations represented in attendance at Paul vs. Tyson will include the USO, USAA and Boeing Merging Vets & Players program, Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Rise & Grind Veterans Workout community, NRS JAB Ft. Worth, the Junior ROTC Anthem Flag Game Day Flag Holders, American Airlines Title Game Veterans Groups, and the National Medal of Honor Museum. 

Most Valuable Promotions and Elevate have also announced today that VIP Seating to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout has officially sold out, which in total, accounts for 375 VIP Hospitality seats. In the past 10 days leading up to the fight, Most Valuable Promotions and Elevate sold through the final 40% of Premium Hospitality inventory. More than 30% of VIP buyers are from the state of Texas; with international purchasers represented from United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil, Ireland, Isle of Man, Istanbul, Canada, and England.

“Breaking records like this is exactly what MVP was built to do—bring the biggest, most electrifying events to fans worldwide,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano and MVP are redefining what’s possible in combat sports, and we’re thrilled to partner with Netflix to make history at AT&T Stadium. This is just the beginning for MVP as we continue to raise the bar in delivering unforgettable moments in the ring. Congratulations to Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and the rest of this amazing card. Every athlete deserves recognition for this historic night. We are also proud to have over 2,000 servicemen and women at Paul vs. Tyson tonight and are honored to give back to our service members by ensuring their presence at this historic event.” 

The live broadcast will be available on Netflix to all subscribers at no additional cost, featuring commentary in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German.

Featured on the main card, which begins with the start of the live Netflix broadcast at 8pm ET / 5pm PT, will be (in air order):

• Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes (6 three-minute rounds)
• Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos (WBC welterweight world title) (12 three-minute rounds)
• Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 (Undisputed super lightweight world title) (10, two-minute rounds)
• Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson (8, two-minute rounds)

The preliminary card of Paul vs. Tyson will begin at 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm PT at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will stream live on Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube, Netflix Sports YouTube, and Tudum. 

Featured on the preliminary card will be (in air order):

• Shu Shu Carrington Jr. vs. Dana Coolwell
• Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica
• Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool (WBO super middleweight world title)

Media may CLICK HERE for previously released renderings depicting elements from the MVP Owner’s Experience package; courtesy of MVP and Elevate.

For more information on Paul vs. Tyson visit Tudum.com/PaulvsTyson. Those who do not have a Netflix account can visit netflix.com/signup.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. Since inception MVP has consistently produced the biggest combat sports pay-per-view events. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. The company signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which is the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

By Norm Frauenheim

PHOENIX — Jaime Munguia, quiet and polite, respects Canelo Alvarez.

But he doesn’t respect what Canelo said last week.

In interviews throughout the week before Canelo’s one-sided decision over Edgar Berlanga, Canelo said he carried Munguia last May in their super-middleweight fight last May.

“Truth is, I found it disrespectful,” Munguia told Boxing Scene and The Boxing Hour through a translator after he appeared at a west Phoenix gym, not far from Glendale where he’ll fight Canada Erik Bazinyan Friday night at Desert Diamond Arena in a super-middleweight fight televised by ESPN.

Canelo said he did not knock out Munguia because he didn’t want to embarrass the 27-year-old fellow Mexican, who got up from a fourth-round knockdown. When first asked about Canelo’s claim, Munguia simply said that he didn’t believe it.

“It was a good fight,” Munguia said during a  media appearance at the Top Rank gym last Friday. “It was a close fight. That what I think.”

After calling Canelo’s public assertion disrespectful, Munguia pointed out that Canelo didn’t knock out Berlanga, either. Canelo had promised that he would stop Berlanga within eight rounds.

Munguia, who is returning to Arizona after his January stoppage of John Ryder in downtown Phoenix at the Footprint Center, said he watched the pay-per-view telecast of Canelo’s scorecard victory over Berlanga at T-Mobile Arena. He complemented Canelo’s performance, saying he fought “an intelligent” fight.

“It was good for the fans.” Munguia. said.

Munguia also said he outperformed Berlnanga.

“I outperformed him in several way,” Munguia said.”It threw more punches, I was closer on the scorecards.”

Munguia goes into the fight against Bazinyan reunited with trainer Erick Morales, who spent most of last year running for political office.Moraes, of Tijuana, won a stea in what is the Mexican Congress..

Morales  is also skeptical of Canelo claim.

“I don’t believe it,” he said.

By Norm Frauenheim (Ringside)

LAS VEGAS –On the scorecards, there was no upset.

But in the court of public opinion, there was a big one.

From pillar to post — sports book to social media, Edgar Berlanga had been mocked, dismissed and damned. The consensus was that Berlanga had no chance against Canelo Alvarez.

But Berlanga was there in the twelfth and final round, trading punches and more than a few words in a pay-per-view fight Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 20,312 at T-Mobile Arena. Berlanga went the distance. Before opening bell, his chances at that were about as good as the Chicago White Sox winning the World Series.

At 27, Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) managed to surprise Canelo (62-2-2, 39 KOs), who promised a knockout before the eighth round. Early on, however, Berlanga displayed something Canelo didn’t expect. The younger man was– is –durable. Above all, he can take a punch.

In the third round, Canelo landed his best, a counter left that has stopped so many other Canelo challengers. It dropped Berlanga, flat on his rear end. But Berlanga did what so many have failed to do. He got up.

Canelo attacked, almost in a desperate pursuit to end it, then and there. But Berlanga had the presence of mind to elude those assaults and then to attack in his own right.

In the end, Canelo, still the unified super-middleweight champion, walked away with a solid decision, 118-109 on two cards and 117-110 on the third. But he didn’t fulfill his promised knockout, which means he didn’t dispel questions about how he’d do against David Benavidez or Terence Crawford. More on them later.

“No, I did good,” he said to a roaring crowd of Mexican partisans.. “Now, what are they going to say.”

There will be doubts. That’s a safe bet. He hasn’t scored a knockout in almost three years. Canelo has his critics and they will be out in force after going the distance against the underrated Puerto Rican. Canelo seemed to know that. Still, his confidence remains unshaken.

“I’m the best fighter in the world,” he said.

Dispute that claim, and many will.  But his dominance at the box office remains unchallenged. He jammed T-Mobile with a crowd that was called a sellout. This side of Japan’s Naoya Inoue, what other boxer in the world can do that these days? Dumb question.

Boxing has its own way of saying: Follow The Money. Follow Canelo. That won’t change, tomorrow or until he retires, perhaps when the 34-year-old fighter turns 37..

But his challengers are younger and only getting better. Berlanga was evidence of that.

“I’m upset because at the end of the day I’m a winner,” Berlanga said.

He was Saturday and he will be again.

Meanwhile, questions about Canelo’s future remain unanswered Crawford at a 168 pounds? Benavidez?

“I”m going to rest and then I’m going to decide what’s next,” he said.

Garcia takes knee, Lara retains title

Danny Garcia apologized.

But an angry crowd booed.

Forget apologies, a near capacity crowd at T-Mobile Arena wanted a fight and it didn’t get one in an advertised middleweight title fight between Garcia and a defending belt-holder, 41-year-old Erislandy Lara Saturday night in the final bout before the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga main event.

Garcia, a former junior-welterweight and welterweight champion fighting at 160 pounds for the first time, took a knee in the final second of the ninth round and then surrendered on his stool seconds before the 10th.

“I’m sorry,” Garcia (37-4, 21 KOs) said. “I tried. You can’t succeed if you don’t try.”

Garcia wasn’t able to do much of anything against the middle-aged Lara (31-3-3, 18 KOs), who claims to be the oldest champion in Cuban history.

Presumably, Lara will schedule a few more title defenses. He’ll be 42 in April. It wasn’t clear what Garcia or his volatile father trainer Angel will do next. But the boos included an unmistakable message:

Retire.

Caleb Plant stops McCumby for TKO win

Caleb Plant and Trevor McCumby exchanged insults. They mocked each other in word and gesture. But this was no clown show.

Not in the end.

Plant and McCumby settled their difference along the ropes, boxing’s trenches where blood and bruises are more decisive than words can ever be.. That’s where Plant was at his brutal best. That’s also where he won, pounding McCumby with an avalanche of punches that rained off him from round to round.

At 2:59 of the ninth round of the  contentious super-middleweight fight on the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga card at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, it was over. That’s when the referee stepped in and halted the brawl.

Plant (23-2, 14 KOs) was the TKO winner, leaving McCumby, a former prospect, to ponder what he’ll do next after his first loss, yet only his fourth fight since 2018 .

McCumby (28-1, 21 KOs), a Chicago native now living in Glendale AZ, scored a knockdown in the fourth, although it looked as if a push instead of a punch sent Plant backpedaling into the ropes onto the canvas. McCumby danced after that one. He shook his hips at Plant.

As it turned out, however, Plant was just warming up. He began to pin McCumby on the ropes, punishing him with successive blows from the fifth until the inevitable end. 

“It was a pretty tough fight,” Plant, a former super middleweight champion, said.  “I was just easing in. I proved that I can fight on the inside tonight and I did what I had to do.

“He caught me pulling out and hit me in the shoulder, but that’s part of the game. He came in with wild punches and I just had to stay focused. That’s what champions do..”

Romero wins one-sided decision, hopes for title shot

Rollie Romero wanted a steppingstone.

He got one, scoring a unanimous decision over Manuel Jaimes in junior-welterweight bout Saturday on the Canelo-Bernlanga card at Mobile Arena Saturday night. 

“I needed a tough 10-round fight against someone hungry and that’s what I got tonight,” Romero (16-3, 13 KOs), a Las Vegas fighter said. “I was doing a lot of stuff tonight that I should have done in my earlier fights.

“Jaimes was coming forward a lot, but I was controlling the pace. The fight was going how I wanted it to. In the later rounds I started coming forward more and landing more body shots. 

“Hopefully I’m fighting for a title next.

“I have my eye on any of the champions.”

Jaimes (16-2-1, 11 KOs), of Stockton CA, simply couldn’t keep up with Romero, who simply outworked him.

“The judges saw what they saw”  he said.  “I’d have to watch the tape to be able to score it myself. I could have been more active, that would have helped me land more.”

Fulton scores controversial decision over Carlos Castro

Carlos Castro got the knockdown.

Got the loss, too.

For Stephen Fulton, there were boos. 

“A shout out to the boos,” Fulton said.

Fulton accepted the booing, because he got the win too, a controversial split decision Saturday over Castro, a resilient Phoenix featherweight whose bid for a significant upset was denied by some debatable scoring.

Lisa Giampa had it 95-94, for Castro. On David Sutherland’s card, it was 96-93 for Fulton. On Don Trella’s card, it 95-94, also for Fulton

Castro (30-3, 14 KOs), a skilled boxer, pursued Flulton early and often with a slick mix of head shots and body punches. The early attack seemed to surprise Fulton (22-1, 8 KOs), who hadn’t fought since getting knocked out by pound-for-pound front-runner Naoya Inoue in Tokyo in July 2023.

There were moments when it looked as if Fulton underestimated Castro, especially his power. In the fifth, however, Castro delivered an overhand right that stunned Fulton. It also might have awakened Fulton to a threat he might not have foreseen in his first fight in more than a year. 

It knocked him down. 

For the next couple of rounds, Fulton was cautious. And Castro was aggressive. moving forward with quick hands to the body and head. In the seventh and eighth, a still-arriving crowd for the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga main event began to chant:

“Castro, Castro.”

By then, Fulton had begun to rally. landing repeated head shots, all powered by the realization that the fight was up for grabs.

Again in the ninth and the 10th, it looked as if Castro had begun to tire. Yet, he answered Fulton’s punches with some of his own, especially in the fight’s final, furious seconds.

“Castro, Castro,” the crowd chanted.

Apparently, Sutherland and Trella didn’t hear them

Boom, one big counter from Ricardo Salas scores a stoppage

One counter was enough.

Ricardo Salas, a Mexico City welterweight, threw it.

It floored Venezuelan Roiman Villa, draining him of any motivation to continue. He stayed down, wiping blood away from a wound beneath one eye and waving one hand in apparent surrender midway through the third round.

Salas (20-2-2, 15 KOs) threw it – a straight right hand, — just as Villa (26-3, 24 KOs) missed wildly with a lunging punch. Sala followed with a glancing left. But the counter did the job, finishing Villa at 2:06 of the third. 

Eddy Reynoso-trained Goe Lopez wins decision

Geo Lopez had power, hand speed and quick feet.

Only a stoppage was missing.

It eluded Lopez (17-0, 12 KOs), a junior lightweight from Orlando,  in the eighth and furious final round Saturday. A powerful left hand sent Ricky Mediana down and tumbling onto the canvas. 

Somehow, however, Medina (15-3, 8 KOs) scrambled to his feet. He survived. But Lopez , who had Canelo trainer Eddy Reynoso in his corner, won, scoring a one-sided decision Saturday on the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga card at T-Mobile Arena

Canelo-Berlanga Undercard: Middleweight suffers scary KO

Three fights, three second-round stoppages.

But this one was devastating, momentarily scary.

Cuban middleweight Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez‘ perfect record (5-0, 5 KOs) suggests world-class power. It was more than just a suggestion Saturday in the third fight on a card featuring Canelo Alvarez-versus-Edgar Berlanga Saturday at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Hernandez’ power put Jose Sanchez Charles down, flat on his face midway at 1:47 of the second. Charles (21-6-1, 12 KOs), of Mexico, stayed on he canvas,  motionless and face down, for several long moments before he was able to climb to his feet and onto a nearby stool.

Eventually, he stood up and seemed to say he was OK to medical personnel who had rushed to his side. Then, he waved at a sparse crowd of fans.They applauded, relieved to see the fighter walk out of the ring under his own power. 

Canelo-Berlanga Card: Second fight delivers another second round stoppage

Two fights, two stoppages, both in the second round.

Lawrence King (17-1, 14 KOs) delivered an encore of the Canelo-Berlanga  card’s opening salvo, scoring a second-round stoppage of Vaughn Williams Saturday at Vegas’ T- Mobile Arena.

King, a light-heavyweight from San Bernardino CA., dropped Williams (12-2, 8 KOs), of South Carolina, twice in the second. It was over at 2:15 of the round.

First Bell: Canelo-Berlanga show opens with quick KO

The doors opened, the first bell sounded and Bek Nurmaganbet took care of business before anybody among a handful of early arrivals could get to their seats.

That’s how fast the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga card  got underway Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

Nearly eight hours before the main event and about an hour after high noon, Nurmaganbet ((12-0, 10 KOs) a super-middleweight from Kazakhstan, wasted little time and not much energy, overwhelming Joshua Conley (17-7-1, 11 KOs) within two rounds.  Conley, of San Bernardino CA, never had a chance. Nurmaganbet stopped him in the closing seconds of the second. 

B Norm Frauenheim –

LAS VEGAS — Edgar Berlanga stepped off a scale on a hot afternoon and shouted a line that could be a defining refrain for all of those who have preceded him throughout Canelo Alvarez’ long-running dominance of the boxing stage.

“I belong here, I belong,’’ he said.

But not for long.

Berlanga, who weighed in at 167.7 pounds Friday, looks like just another extra in a Canelo show that is moving into a second decade with an inexhaustible momentum, different now from what it was 10 years ago, yet still with the same result. Canelo, who was at 166.8 pounds early Friday, is in command. 

These days, he’s more of a businessman, a CEO who has leverage and knows how to use it. He might not quite command the ring the way he once did with quick counters and subtle timing. But his control of everything else is as powerful as ever.

To wit: He hired Berlanga, and he’s expected to dismiss him for his first stoppage in nearly three years Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view defense of his super-middleweight title. According to the acronyms, he’s not an undisputed champion. 

But the difference between undisputed and unified is a pitiful irrelevancy. It’s stupid, meaningful to only the acronyms. To the fans, Canelo is still the only 168-pound champion who matters. To casual fans, he might be the only fighter they know. Not even a William Scull, who was e-mailed the International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt after that acronym stripped Canelo, could dispute that.

In terms of business, Canelo’s dominance remains unchallenged. Give the pound-for-pound crown to Naoya Inoue or Oleksandr Usyk or Terence Crawford, but the the Face of the Game? It’s still Canelo, whose influence has been evident throughout the build-up for Berlanga, an underdog whose job definition is summed up by the odds. Late Friday, his chances at winning were at 20-to-1.  

In the boxing book, those odds are approaching impossible. Put it this way: The Chicago White Sox have a better chance at winning the World Series.

How Berlanga wound up with the job is controversial. Fans, rivals and pundits have mocked, dismissed and damned the fight so often that Berlanga will step through the ropes (PPV card begins at 6 p.m. PT/Amazon Prime & PPV.com) with very little to lose. If he somehow took the fight to the scorecards, the court of public opinion would judge him the winner and Canelo the loser.

But don’t bet on that. In effect, Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) has become his own matchmaker. Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) has power, yet he also moves forward, ever forward. 

It’s a good guess to think he’ll stubbornly walk straight into one of those crushing Canelo counters, allowing him to silence the doubters who haven’t seen a Canelo stoppage since an 11th-round TKO of Caleb Plant in November 2021. The volatile Plant faces unbeaten Trevor McCumby on the undercard in what might be the best fight on the card. 

But it’s the show that matters.

Canelo’s show.

He’s expected to emerge with big victories, first over Berlanga and perhaps another one over Dana White, the UFC chieftain who is staging his own brand of controlled violence a couple of miles of neon near away from T-Mobile at the blinking Sphere, the latest amusement addition to the Vegas skyline. 

Both events are expected to do well. Projections for each live gate have been all over the board. Numbers for the UFC gate have ranged from $20 million to $27 million. Put it this way: Nobody is going home hungry. Boxing is often said to be in decline. For one night, it’ll be able to compete against the rival UFC, mostly because of one face: Canelo’s.

For boxing, the biggest news involves Canelo’s next move. Don’t expect the Berlanga fight to end in a decision. But a bigger decision awaits. 

Will Canelo decide on Terence Crawford, the welterweight great in a jump up the scale to 168 pounds? Or David Benavidez in a showdown long demanded by fans? Another possibility is the winner of the Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev light-heavyweight title fight on Oct. 12 in Saudi Arabia

Canelo has talked about a rematch with Bivol, who lost a deciion to the Russian. If Bivol beats Beterbiev and Canelo decides to fight Bivol, Benavidez could get shut out by Canelo all over again. 

Benavidez is the so-called mandatory challenger for the Bivol-Beterbiev winner. It’s reported that Benavidez moved to light-heavy as an option. Truth is, he had no choice. He was the World Boxing Council mandatory challenger at super middleweight. But there was no way the WBC would ever strip Canelo of its 168-pound belt. The WBC is in the Canelo business, too.

“He will find out that I’m different than anyone,’’ Canelo said of Berlanga in a message Friday that sounded a little bit like a warning to a temporary employee.

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LAS VEGAS – September 12, 2024 – Before they step into the ring on Saturday night, fighters competing on Saturday’s Canelo vs. Berlanga undercard went face-to-face at the final press conference on Thursday before Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day Weekend extravaganza headlined by pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez taking on undefeated contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video this Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The press conference featured reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and two-division world champion Danny “Swift” García, who meet in the star-studded co-main event. The showdown features two of this era’s most accomplished boxers as they have combined to face a staggering 21 world champions heading into this fight.

Thursday’s press conference also included former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and undefeated contender Trevor McCumby, who duel for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, and former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes, who square off in the pay-per-view opener.

Also facing off at the press conference were former unified super bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and all-action contender Carlos Castro, who top a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT leading up to the pay-per-view. The live-streaming action will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

Rounding out the PBC on Prime Video lineup and also at Thursday’s press conference were hard-hitting Roiman Villa and Mexico’s Ricardo Salas, who duel in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez, who faced Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from MGM Grand:

ERISLANDY LARA

“Motivation is easy for me because I just think about my family and everyone who I fight for. It makes me want to get up and go work hard every day.

“Danny is a great fighter and a champion at lower weight classes, but middleweight is a different beast. We’re gonna have to see if he can adapt to this different weight.

“I don’t know whether he can stand the power of my punches. We’ll find out Saturday. I’m just focused on being ready mentally and physically to do anything it takes to win.

“I’m really not worrying too much about any weight or height advantage, I’m just focused on going in there and being at my best.

“We’re going to keep defending this title and keep looking for the biggest and best fights.”

DANNY GARCIA

“It’s been a hard training camp and now it’s time to go in there and take that belt. The hard work is done and now we’re ready to get in there on Saturday night.

“To me, I feel like I’m already a Hall of Famer, but I think winning this belt is the icing on the cake. Winning in three divisions is about legacy, not many fighters do that. I’m chasing greatness.

“Lara has been around a long time just like me and we’re two battle-tested warriors. I know what I’m up against and I prepared for that. I’m here to show the world that I’m the better man.

“It means the world to have my father in my corner. Anyone can train you, but having a spiritual connection with your trainer can take you to a different level. That’s what gives us a special bond. When no one believed, we believed.

“People have tried to tell me I was too small my whole career. I was naturally a big guy who squeezed down in weight. To me, I’m a natural middleweight. This is my weight and this is where I feel good. If you don’t believe me, you gotta watch.

“This never gets old, but I definitely remember being here 11 years ago fighting Lucas Matthysse on the Mayweather vs. Canelo undercard and people said I’d steal the show then too. It’s really just another day of hard work for me.”

CALEB PLANT

“Trevor himself knows that I’m not a bum, and that’s why he wants to fight me. He wants to be on the big stage, and that means facing a real fighter. Right now, he’s looking at a real fighter. He’s fought only bums, but he’s not fighting a bum now.

“We’ll see what he brings on Saturday. He’s undefeated and he’s looking to stay that way. So he’ll come motivated.

“Family means the world to me. It means a lot to have my whole family in the gym with me. Having a team like that makes the whole process so much better.

“I know a lot of people say it, but this is the best camp I’ve had and the sharpest I’ve ever boxed. I’ve been staying busy, looking sharp and we’ll see what he’s able to do against it.

“I’m getting that belt around my waist on Saturday night. I’m not looking past that. Whatever happens after that, we’ll be ready.”

TREVOR MCCUMBY

“We’re ready to fight. It’s very motivating to be on a card with all of these great fighters and I’m grateful to be up here with them for this great event.

“There’s no bad blood on my side, I’m just ready to fight. Things are gonna be said at these press conferences and I think Caleb needs to make his opponent the villain when he gets in there. I don’t really let things get in my head like that. I go in there to handle business.

“The back and forth we’ve had adds a little bit of motivation. Caleb is emotional and lets people get into his head too easily.

“On Saturday, you will see what I can do in the ring. There’s no animosity from me, but I’m coming for his heart.

“A win is huge because Caleb is a name. We’re trying to go through each other and that makes it a match made in heaven. I don’t know how he’s gonna come out, but you have to tune into this one, because it’s gonna steal the show.”

ROLANDO ROMERO

“I’m happy to be back on the big stage once again. This is just another fight and another opponent for me.

“Every fight is important and I’m not looking past him. It’s gonna be a great night on Saturday and I’m gonna deliver a highlight reel. Rolly is back.

“I’m definitely coming for the knockout. I’m not overlooking him at all, I’m just ready.”

MANUEL JAIMES

“I’m really excited to be here and on this card with all these great fighters. I had a really hard training camp and I’m coming to win on Saturday.

“This is the biggest moment of my career. It doesn’t get any bigger than this stage. We had a great training camp and I’m ready to get the win on Saturday.

“Rolly is a really good fighter and he’s been in there with the best. But I’m young and hungry and I’m gonna outwork him on Saturday.

“We’ve had the best sparring in the world over at the Robert Garcia camp preparing for this fight. Rolly has lost before and he will lose again.”

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“It feels good to be back. I’m amped to be back. I’m anxious to get in there and display my skills. I can’t wait. I’m definitely coming for the knockout on Saturday.

“I’ve had my best training camp for this fight. I haven’t overlooked any day. I’ve just gone one day at a time. I feel like I’m in a great place and I’m ready to get in the ring.

“I feel like this was the right opponent for me because he’s a top contender. I would have fought a champion if one was available and willing, so after that, Castro was just next man up.

“I’ve missed being in the ring a lot. I’m not worried about any negativity from anyone. People will always have something to say. I’m going to keep doing me and do everything I need to do.

“I’m here to make a statement for myself and get back. This is my get back. Whoever’s got a belt at 126, I’m ready.”

CARLOS CASTRO

“This is something that I’ve been waiting for. I’ve taken two defeats, but these are the fights I want. I’m not gonna shy away from anybody, because I’m in this sport to prove myself.

“I’ve been in there with the best and that’s what I’m doing again. Those experiences have prepared me mentally for what I have to do.

“I take my hat off to Fulton and what he’s done in this sport, but on Saturday night it’s a whole different story. He’s gonna have a great fighter in front of him.

“Being in these types of fights give me extra motivation. Especially against a fighter like this. I’m ready to show everyone my best.”

ROIMAN VILLA

“I’m very thankful to my whole team for making this fight possible. I can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday night.

“I had an outstanding training camp in the high altitude. I did everything that I needed to do and I’m ready to get this victory. This is ending in a knockout.”

RICARDO SALAS

“I’m really excited for this fight. I’m dedicating this fight to my family and I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do on Saturday.

“I focused on preparing as hard as I could for this fight, because I wanna give the fans a great show and that’s what we’re gonna do.

“I think we’re both ready to go toe-to-toe and that’s exactly what I like. I can’t wait because the fans are really gonna love this.”

JONATHAN LOPEZ

“I’m super happy to be on this card and showcasing my skills and talent. This is a big opportunity for me and I can’t wait for Saturday.

“I’m just ready to be in this moment. I’m treating this like another day in the office. I’m ready to display my talent on Saturday night.

“I’ve been in there with some guys with a lot of experience. I just tell myself that I have to dominate every fight and that’s what I’m coming to do.”

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ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA

Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.

Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Preceding the pay-per-view, former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup. The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

LAS VEGAS – September 11, 2024 – Fighters competing on the stacked Canelo vs. Berlanga undercard took part in a media workout on Wednesday before Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day Weekend extravaganza headlined by pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez taking on undefeated contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video this Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The workout featured reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and two-division world champion Danny “Swift” García, who meet in the co-main event, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and undefeated contender Trevor McCumby, who duel for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, and former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes, who square off in the pay-per-view opener.

Wednesday’s workout also featured former unified super bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and all-action contender Carlos Castro, who top a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT leading up to the pay-per-view. The live-streaming action will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

ERISLANDY LARA

“Garcia is a good fighter and he’s been a champion in multiple divisions, but let’s see how he does at 160. It’s a different animal up here.

“I’ve just worked hard and taken care of my body. There’s no secret to it. I take this sport seriously.”

DANNY GARCIA

“I’m chasing history. If you believe in yourself 100%, then the sky is the limit. I believe in the work me and my team put in. We’re coming to achieve greatness.

“We had the right sparring and did everything correct to get ready for Lara. We’re excited to get in the ring.

“I always feel nerves before a fight. If you’re not feeling those nerves, you’re doing something wrong. You want to be on your toes and ready for everything.”

CALEB PLANT

“He’s not experienced enough for me. I’m ready for the biggest challenges, but first thing’s first, I’m focused on Saturday night and getting that belt around my waist.

“Family is super important to me. My family is always in the gym with me. We’re a boxing family and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

TREVOR MCCUMBY

“I’ve had a lot more sparring and running this camp and I’ve just been doing everything my coach has asked.

“I’m not nervous at all. I’ve done this my whole life and I’m ready for him. I’m ready to meet him in the center of the ring and I’ll be ready if he wants to get on his bike.”

ROLANDO ROMERO

“I don’t know much about Jaimes, but I know it’s important to put on a good performance. I’m focused and haven’t thought about anything past this fight.”  

MANUEL JAIMES

“I had a great camp getting in a lot of work at Robert Garcia’s gym. They have Hall of Fame coaches and amazing sparring. It was exactly what I needed.

“This is what I dreamed of as a kid. I always wanted to be on the biggest cards and it doesn’t get any bigger than a Canelo fight on Mexican Independence Day Weekend in Las Vegas.

“I’m the underdog coming into Rolly’s hometown, but it’s all good. I’m coming to win.”

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“I’m just happy to be back. I’m feeling good and I’m ready. I have a new lead trainer and we’ve worked on a lot of different things that will show on fight night.

“I’m not sure what to expect from Castro. Nobody fights the same every time out. Styles make fights. My message to the fan is that I’m coming for the knockout.”

CARLOS CASTRO

“It’s a dream come true for me to be on this Canelo undercard. It’s the kind of thing you work your whole career for.

“I’m expecting a hungry Stephen Fulton Jr. coming off a loss. He wants to avenge it and he’s coming with everything, just like I am.

“We definitely are coming to steal the show. I don’t have a prediction, but it’s gonna be fireworks.”

#         #         #

ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA

Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.

Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Preceding the pay-per-view, former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup. The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

LAS VEGAS – September 11, 2024 – Pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez and WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga went face-to-face Wednesday at the final press conference before Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day Weekend extravaganza as Canelo defends his WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video this Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo and Berlanga will square off on one of boxing’s biggest fight dates in the latest edition of the historic rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico. Looking to follow in the footsteps of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico battles such as Salvador Sánchez vs. Wilfredo Gómez and Julio César Chávez Sr. vs. Héctor Camacho, Canelo and Berlanga both reiterated the motivation they have to represent their country in style with a knockout victory on Saturday.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

CANELO ÁLVAREZ

“It’s easy to say you’ll knock me out, but it’s much more difficult to do it. Saturday night is gonna be very difficult for him, for sure. I’ve prepared for the knockout. I love the feeling of a knockout and I’m gonna do my best to get it done.

“I just can’t wait for Saturday night. This is going to be a great matchup for the people. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is always exciting.

“It’s an honor to fight on this date. Mexican Independence Day is very important for us. It’s very special and I’m very proud to fight for the Mexican people.

“I always put 100% into my fights and into training, no matter who I’m fighting. It’s the same mentality every fight. This is no exception. I’ve had a great training camp and I’m ready.

“The fans mean everything to me and I appreciate them. They support me no matter what and I’m thankful for everyone who’s supported me throughout my career.

“I just want to show everyone that I’m still the best. I still love this sport. When I stop loving it, you’ll know. I love my routine and I love going to the gym every day.”

EDGAR BERLANGA

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Team Berlanga. It’s gonna be a firefight this weekend. On Saturday night, I’m gonna make everyone a believer. We have Puerto Rico vs. Mexico and we’re going at it on Saturday night.

“I’m a knockout artist. Every fighter wants the knockout. We know that he’s a legend and we can’t just go swing for the fences. We have to do it the right way. Sixth-round knockout, that’s what we’re going for. But we’re ready for all 12 rounds if we have to.

“It’s gonna be a big fight Saturday and it’s gonna be something amazing. Right now is the calm before the storm. We’re gonna make history and become legends.

“It means everything to be in this position. I’m not supposed to be here. I’ve been doubted since before I turned pro. But I knew that I was bound to end up in this position.

“I could be the face of Puerto Rican boxing after Saturday night. I’ve wanted that for many years and now it’s my turn to do it.”

EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager & Trainer

“We’ve trained hard because we know we are facing a young fighter coming to take our spot. Berlanga is strong and he wants to prove himself against Canelo.

“We’ve been very thorough in training for his fight. We have everything we need for Berlanga and we’re coming to make history.”

MARK FARRAIT, Berlanga’s Trainer

“We’re very happy with this opportunity. We trained very hard, because we know this fight isn’t about physicality or size. It’s about experience and intelligence, which Canelo thinks Edgar has none of. We’re here to make a statement and show the world our patience and our execution.

“I know Canelo is gonna come out and fight smart. He’s not gonna fight Edgar right away. Because if he does, it’s gonna be fireworks early on. This is our opportunity to knock the king off the throne.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“This is one hell of an event lined up for Saturday night. It’s a great card from top to bottom and that is what big-time boxing is all about. We have boxing’s biggest star in Canelo Alvarez headlining Mexican Independence Day Weekend. It doesn’t get any better than that.

“This is a Mexican holiday and Canelo proudly represents the hard-working Mexican fans who come here this holiday weekend to watch their superstar fight. It’s Mexico vs Puerto Rico and they’re fighting for national pride. But on Saturday night, it’s all about Mexican pride.

EDDIE HEARN, Chairman of Matchroom Sport

“This is a special week. I’m excited about this fight. Berlanga has the cojones to take Canelo on for real. You know these guys want to mess each other up.

“Berlanga is here to fight. When I came here yesterday and saw Berlanga, I saw the most confident and determined challenger that I’ve seen take on Canelo yet.”

#         #         #

ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA

Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.

Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Preceding the pay-per-view, former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup. The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

The official fight week for the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga super middleweight clash is underway in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fighters for the mega card are either on their way or have already arrived in Sin City, still the world’s fight capital for now, to take part in the mandatory media blitz on the stretch drive of selling tickets and pay-per-view buys for this Saturday’s event taking place at the T-Mobile Arena, located just to the west of the Strip. For Richard Medina, slated to open the preliminary broadcast against Canelo camp fighter and unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez, his first professional trip to Las Vegas represents a calculated gamble with the potential for a large windfall in the near future. 

Medina (15-2, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas has had the benefit of fighting more than half of his professional fights in his hometown or the neighboring Floresville, Texas after concluding a well-decorated amateur career. While home cooking is always nice, most professional fighters have ideas of fighting under the bright lights in Las Vegas, for many years the host city of the biggest fights that could be made. Medina, known as “El Castigo,” is no different. 

“I’m excited,” explained Medina. “I’m really excited. This is like a boxing bucket list to fight in Las Vegas. It was one of my dreams to fight in Las Vegas, so now that it is happening I am really excited and more motivated for sure. I’ve been ready for something to come up like this. I’ve been staying busy in the gym, so I am ready. Canelo is a good fighter. I watch him, and everyone watches him when he fights, so to fight under him, it is a good experience for sure.” 

If there is one aspect that may alter Medina’s perspective on fighting on Canelo Alvarez’s undercard on Saturday, it could be that while Lopez is fighting far from his Orlando, Florida home, he is still the house fighter in the fight. Lopez is trained by Eddy Reynoso, the man that will be in Alvarez’s corner roughly five hours after their television opener. However, Medina is focused on the fighter in front of him and is prepared for what Lopez brings to the table. 

“He’s a good fighter,” Medina says of Lopez. “He has a lot of experience. He fought a couple guys in the amateurs that I know from around here. We’ve been watching a lot of film on him. He’s a counter-puncher. So we’ve been working on stuff to counter that.” 

Promoter Rick Morones Jr. of TMB Promotions has been with Medina since his professional debut in 2018. Morones, who promotes in the San Antonio area and has had a hand in developing many of the top fighters that have emerged from the region in recent years on his shows, understands the tough assignment Lopez presents, but is confident Medina brings challenges the undefeated fighter has not seen before. 

“Lopez is one hell of a fighter,” admits Morones. “He is very talented, he can punch. But I think this is Lopez’ toughest fight. Rick is very skillful, has good footwork, good speed. He had over 130 amateur fights, so he has experience as well. It was something, when this fight happened, we knew what type of fight it was going to be. At the same time, Lopez has not fought anybody like Rick. I think if Rick is on his A-game, he is going to give [Lopez] a lot of problems.” 

The glossy knockout record of Lopez, twelve kayos in 16 fights, catches the eye, but Medina believes that is one edge he has over his 21-year-old opponent. Medina has fought into the seventh round on seven occasions as a professional. On one of those instances, Medina went the full ten-round distance against eventual world champion Raymond Ford, far and away the highest profile fighter on either Medina or Lopez’s ledger. 

“I feel like I am more of an eight-round fighter [than he is,] and I do more damage in the late rounds,” explains Medina, who has fought well late into his last two fights, both of which went eight full rounds. “I think that will definitely benefit me in this upcoming fight.” 

The last time Medina went up against a house fighter in an eight-rounder was his last fight, a unanimous decision defeat to once-beaten George Acosta in Long Beach, California last December. The result of the bout is something of a sore subject to the Medina team. The San Antonio fighter traveled and performed well, to the point many ringside thought the fight was his before the scores were read by Lupe Contreras. Instead, the scores were wide the other way, with one judge managing to find only one round for Medina, making the defeat too hard to swallow. 

“This last fight with Acosta, everybody that was there in attendance thought Rick won that fight,” explains Morones. “I rarely complain, but when they announced the decision, and one of the judges had it 7-1, it was like they thought Rick was never in the fight. It was crazy. If you watch the fight, Rick is touching him up the whole fight and Acosta is just coming forward with his head, holding. I gave that kid two rounds. There’s the photo of them two afterwards and Rick isn’t beat up at all. It was a tough one to swallow, but he got over it. Here we are again, given an opportunity, and he’s here to make the most of it.” 

The moment that presents itself on Saturday is not lost on the 23-year-old Medina. “This is another great opportunity to put my name out there and to keep on moving up in my career,” says Medina. “Last fight, it was tough, fighting in another guy’s backyard. You need to knock him out or win by an overwhelming majority, and I guess I did not do that. So for this opportunity to come up, it is more motivating and I am grateful for it for sure.” 

The fight with Lopez on Saturday is not only an opportunity for the young Medina, but also for  Rick Medina Sr., the father-trainer of the San Antonio native. The elder Medina has only one client, his son, and they are traveling to Las Vegas to make the most of their crack at the big time together. 

“This is both of our dreams right here,” says Richard Medina, groomed to be a fighter since birth by his father. “He and I are both beyond grateful and happy for this. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. He has always been by my side, through thick-and-thin. Bumping heads, but he has always stuck by me through the bad and the good. He always told me, and told my mom, even before I was born, that I was going to be a fighter. It was spoken into existence. So this is for both of us, when I win, it will be for both of us for sure.”  

While he will not have the large supportive crowd on hand that he became accustomed to fighting in San Antonio when steps in between the ropes in Las Vegas on Saturday, Medina is ready to kick the pay-per-view watch parties off back home with some excitement. 

“I am feeling amazing,” says Medina. “I am feeling confident. I have been working all year for an opportunity like this. I know it is going to be a good fight, maybe even a knockout I feel like. I would love that. I am looking forward to September 14th. It’s just around the corner. We’re ready.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Premier Boxing Champions, are available online at AXS.com 

The preliminary undercard broadcast, opened by the Medina-Lopez bout, will stream live on Prime Video. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

This time last year, legendary boxing commentator and journalist Jim Lampley was planning, with great media and public fanfare, his return to ringside after a nearly five-year hiatus from boxing due to HBO Sports ending its more than three decades run as the “Heart & Soul of Boxing.”  Jim had been ringside for HBO Sports’ last 30 years of presenting boxing, which ended on Dec. 8, 2018.  The streaming platform PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, brought Jim back, for the Canelo Álvarez – Jermell Charlo super middleweight world championship fight, on Sept. 30, 2023.  As fate would have it, Jim returns next week for his PPV.COM one-year anniversary (less 16 days) once again co-hosting the exclusive and wildly popular viewer chat, in real time, throughout another card headlined by a Canelo title defense, this time against undefeated Edgar Berlanga.  The PPV.COM HD live stream of the Canelo-Berlanga championship event will take place next Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, from T-Mobile Arena.  Priced at $89.99, it can be ordered by clicking here: PPV.COM – Canelo vs. Berlanga. Below, please find Jim’s pre-fight analysis.

PPV.COM‘s JIM LAMPLEY’S CANELO vs. BERLANGA ANALYSIS

“This fight portrays a classic archetype:  the straightforward power puncher (Berlanga) versus the super-skilled and multi-dimensional power counterpuncher (Canelo).  You’d be hard-pressed to find a qualified observer outside of Berlanga’s inner circle who would pick him to win.  The one predictive factor that would open the door for Berlanga would be that after all the spectacular accomplishments of his long and lucrative career, Canelo is unconsciously ready to go off the diving board. He wouldn’t be the first, but his terrific performance in his last fight against the talented Jaime Munguia suggested we’re not there yet.  Logic says Edgar Berlanga is exactly the kind of canvas on which Canelo Álvarez can paint another masterpiece on the way to a more difficult challenge and a much larger paycheck:  David Benavidez.”  

*********************************************************

Joining Lampley on the live viewer chat will be award-winning boxing journalist Lance Pugmire and popular podcast hosts Dan Canobbio and former WBO junior welterweight world champion Chris Algieri.  Jim, Lance, Dan, and Chris will also be providing exclusive fight week commentary and reports from Las Vegas for PPV.COM‘s website and social platforms.

The Canelo vs. Berlanga pay-per-view live stream undercard will feature three exciting bouts, including: WBA middleweight world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (30-3-3, 18 KOs), a three-time Cuban national champion fighting out of Houston, Texas, defending his title against  former two-division world champion and boxing legend Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs), from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (22-2, 13 KOs), a native of Nashville, Tennessee, now fighting out of Las Vegas, battling Yorkville, Illinois native Trevor McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs), who fights out of Glendale, Arizona, for the interim WBA super middleweight world title; and in the opening bout, former WBA super lightweight world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-2, 13 KOs), from Las Vegas, will go mano a mano with Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs), from Stockton, California, in a 10-round junior welterweight rumble.

PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, will offer Canelo vs. Berlanga for $89.99 in the U.S. and Canada.  iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, Rogers, Bell, SaskTel, and Telus, among others.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (Sept. 4, 2024) — PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, returns to the ring when it live streams to boxing fans, in the U.S. and Canada, a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza from T-Mobile Arena, in the ‘Fight Capital of the World,’ Las Vegas, Nevada!  The main event will feature the latest installment of boxing’s most exciting and strongest rivalry — México vs. Puerto Rico.  Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs), a four-division world champion from Guadalajara, México, will be defending his unified super middleweight title against top-rated contender and Puerto Rican knockout artist Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), who fights out of New York City.  TheCanelo vs. Berlanga world championship pay-per-view event will take place Saturday, September 14, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.  Priced at $89.99, it can be ordered by clicking here: PPV.COM – Canelo vs. Berlanga.

“Boxing fans retain deep respect for Canelo for all he has legitimately accomplished and the niche he has carved out among the richly-populated pantheon of Mexican boxing stars. But there’s a broad consensus now that he should be accepting more complex and compelling challenges than this one.  Edgar Berlanga’s streak of sixteen first round knockouts to begin his career was widely viewed as a matchmaking enterprise, and he’s done nothing in recent appearances to suggest he can deliver an upset here.  To most ringside reporters, this feels perfunctory.  It’s up to Canelo to deliver an outcome exciting enough to reinforce his credentials as boxing’s biggest dollar-for-dollar star.  He isn’t fighting David Benavidez.  He isn’t even satisfying the smaller but fiercely eager Terence Crawford.  He needs to win in spectacular fashion to make this choice worthwhile,” said Hall of Fame boxing commentator Jim Lampley, who returns to co-host the exclusive and wildly popular viewer chat, in real time, throughout the PPV.COM Canelo-Berlanga world championship event HD live stream.  

Joining Lampley on the live viewer chat will be award-winning boxing journalist Lance Pugmire and popular podcast hosts Dan Canobbio and former WBO junior welterweight world champion Chris Algieri.  Jim, Lance, Dan, and Chris will also be providing exclusive fight week commentary and reports from Las Vegas forPPV.COM‘s website and social platforms.

The Canelo vs. Berlanga pay-per-view live stream undercard will feature three exciting bouts, including: WBA middleweight world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (30-3-3, 18 KOs), a three-time Cuban national champion fighting out of Houston, Texas, defending his title against  former two-division world champion and boxing legend Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs), from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (22-2, 13 KOs), a native of Nashville, Tennessee, now fighting out of Las Vegas, battling Yorkville, Illinois native Trevor McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs), who fights out of Glendale, Arizona, for the interim WBA super middleweight world title; and in the opening bout, former WBA super lightweight world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-2, 13 KOs), from Las Vegas, will go mano a mano with Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs), from Stockton, California, in a 10-round junior welterweight rumble.

PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, will offer Canelo vs. Berlanga for $89.99 in the U.S. and Canada.  iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, Rogers, Bell, SaskTel, and Telus, among others.

JIM LAMPLEY

Jim is the recipient of the Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcasting Journalism and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in its 2015 class.  He served as anchor and commentator for HBO World Championship Boxing for 30 years and has covered a combined 14 Winter and Summer Olympic Games during his long and distinguished career in sports broadcasting and journalism.

LANCE PUGMIRE

Lance is a recipient of the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism, the Boxing Writers Association of America’s highest honor.  He brings over 30 years of experience covering the sweet science for the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and The Athletic.  Lance currently serves as senior U.S. writer for BoxingScene.com.

DAN CANOBBIO AND CHRIS ALGIERI

Danand Chris have moved their popular Inside Boxing Livepodcast to PPV.COM, where they produce two fresh episodes weekly, provide onsite coverage during major pay-per-view fight weeks, host their own weekly live chat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, and join fight night live viewer chats.  For the latest episodes of Inside Boxing Live presented by PPV.COM, click hereInside Boxing Live – YouTube. 

About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM

iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership among three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.– Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 60 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 90 companies.  In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports.  With the addition of PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turnkey PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers.  For more information, go to indemand.com.

LAS VEGAS – August 27, 2024 – WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant, former super lightweight world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and unbeaten contender Trevor McCumby held a media workout in Las Vegas on Tuesday to preview their respective showdowns taking place Saturday, September 14 on a PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo Promotions will present the Mexican Independence Day weekend blockbuster headlined by pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez putting his unified super middleweight world titles on the line against unbeaten WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory contender Edgar Berlanga.

Lara will defend his world title against two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia in the star studded co-main event, plus Plant and McCumby will square off for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while Romero takes on Manuel Jaimes in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

The stacked pay-per-view lineup features five current or former world champions, including former titleholders Plant and Romero, who will look to move closer to regaining their championship status with wins on September 14. The co-main event between Lara and Garcia pits two of this era’s most accomplished fighters against each other in a world title clash, as the two have combined to face 21 world champions heading into this showdown.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from the Pound 4 Pound Gym in Las Vegas:

ERISLANDY LARA

“I would tell Danny Garcia to be ready. He was a great champion for sure, but now he’s in my division and I’m going to show him that this is something completely different.

“I don’t know how the weight will affect Danny, because it depends how he’s prepared for this fight. It can be a good thing or a bad thing. He better come ready, because this is gonna be new for him.

“I do everything I have to do to stay disciplined and take care of my body. As long as I keep doing that, I’m going to stay at this top level.

“I’m very thankful that I made the sacrifices that I had to in order to reach these heights. I’m reaping the rewards now and I’m going to keep going.”

CALEB PLANT

“I’m ready to show the fans what a good old-fashioned ass-whooping looks like. His ‘0’ has got to go. It’s out of here.

“I’ve been working for over a year and it’s done me well heading into this camp. I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in to start a camp. My sparring has been the best it’s ever been and honestly it’s been the smoothest camp I’ve had in my life. I expect that to translate over into the ring.

“This is McCumby’s opportunity. Up until now, he’s been a 30-year-old prospect. He’s waited a long time to step up into a big fight and I think it’s because he doesn’t believe in his skills. He can talk all the talk he wants, but actions speak louder than words. For him to choose me as his first step-up fight, I take that personally.

“I haven’t thought past Trevor McCumby. I’m focused on the task at hand, but I know that winning this belt will put me in a good position for future fights.

“My trainer (Stephen Edwards) and my dad (Richie Plant) are like an echo of each other. They’re basically the same person and it makes everything really smooth.”

TREVOR MCCUMBY

“I’m not worried about anything Caleb says. I treat every fight the same and train very hard every time. I’m preparing to face the best Caleb Plant.

“I stay grounded and focused on my goal, that’s the most important thing. I’ve been boxing since I was seven-years-old and I’ve been on really big stages before. I’m prepared for this moment.

“I’m coming to show that I have skills as well. This is my coming out fight. The world is going to see who I am. I’m coming into that ring with tenacity.  

“I’m stoked to be on a card with all these great fighters. I know everyone is working hard to put on a great show on September 14.”

ROLANDO ROMERO

“Every time I get into the ring, everyone has a great time, especially the fans. That’s all that matters. I’m coming to show everyone a vicious knockout.

“I’m feeling really good. I don’t feel like I needed to say anything to Jaimes at the press conference in Los Angeles. I just really think he’s happy to be here.

“I kind of fell out of love with boxing a few years ago, but after that time, I came back and realized that boxing was my true love. I had forgotten that for a while.”

#         #         #

ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA

Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.

Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Preceding the pay-per-view, former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup. The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting welterweight Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a 10-round battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in an eight-round super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

By Norm Frauenheim –

Canelo Alvarez isn’t going to strengthen his position in the pound-for-pound debate, no matter what he does against Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in a fight that has been dismissed by exasperated fans who only want to see him against David Benavidez or Terence Crawford.

But the public consensus, as damning as it is noisy, is further evidence that Canelo isn’t going anywhere, no matter who he fights or where he stands in the various ratings. He doesn’t even have all of the super-middleweight belts anymore. An acronym stripped him of one, which I guess means he’s been demoted from undisputed to unified. 

But don’t dispute his power to dictate — to get what, when and whoever he wants — in a business otherwise ruled by chaos. I’ll leave it up to somebody else as to whether Canelo’s long powerbroker reign is good for boxing. There’s an old line worth repeating: Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Nevertheless, his latest controversy with boxing’s nouveau riche, Saudi Prince Turki Alalshikh, only manages to re-affirm that power. Alalshikh took offense when Canelo appeared to rebuff his attempts to put together a much-talked-about date with Crawford after Crawford’s narrow decision over Israil Madrimov in his junior-middleweight debut on August 3.

Canelo talked about respect, which usually means he believes he wasn’t getting enough of it.  Then, he told Alalshikh to talk to him after his title defense against Berlanga on a night when the UFC will stage a mixed martial-arts event at Las Vegas’ Sphere, just a few blocks of neon from T-Mobile Arena.

In the middle of the edgy exchange, Alalshikh posted a photo of himself, declaring he was the Face of Boxing. That precipitated a backlash. The game’s Face is reserved for those who are willing to risk that face. In other words, only the fighters qualify. In a craft where virtually everything is for sale, it’s the one thing that can’t be bought. 

Alalshikh, who is new to the sport and its unwritten traditions, backtracked last week while announcing an undercard featuring Shakur Stevenson-versus-Joe Cordina on an Oct. 12 show featuring Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh.

In posting the undercard, there was a response that called Alalshikh “The Face of Boxing.” No, he said, he wasn’t worthy of that. Only the fighters are. Props to the Prince.

That lesson, however, was a victory for Canelo. In effect, it reaffirmed — even tightened his grip — on his undisputed place as The Face.  Consider Crawford. His brilliant career has ensured him of the Hall of Fame and gained him some over-due respect. At this late stage, however, it looks as if it has come down to just one option: Canelo or retirement. 

Crawford, who will be 37 late next month, had hoped that the Madrimov fight in Los Angeles would be a steppingstone to Canelo. And only Canelo. 

Increasingly, it’s become clear that Crawford, still among the top three in virtually every pound-for-pound rating, has no interest in uniting the junior-middleweight title. 

The unbeaten Crawford is already a two-time undisputed champ, at 140 and 147 pounds. He has expressed no interest in fighting Jaron “Boots” Ennis, the reigning young lion at welterweight. It looks as if he also has no interest in facing the young lions at 154 pounds, including Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Alalshikh said he approached Crawford, also a four division champion, about a fight with Ortiz after Ortiz’ controversial, yet gritty majority decision over Ukrainian Serhii Bohachuk in Vegas a couple of weeks ago. According to Alalshikh, Crawford said no, a sign that we may have seen him fight for the last time. 

After Berlanga, Canelo, a 16-to-1 betting favorite, is sure to get questions from fans and an offer from Alalshikh about Crawford in a fight at 168-pounds, 14 more than Crawford’s weight against Madrimov in a bout that snapped his stoppage streak at 11 straight.

It all depends on Canelo.

Still Canelo.

LAS VEGAS – August 20, 2024 – Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will look to extend his three-fight KO streak when he faces off against two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia in the star-studded co-main event a PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“Danny Garcia is a great fighter, a multiple-division world champion, and like me, he’s one of the best fighters of this generation,” said Lara. “This is going to be the fight of the night. I knocked out my last three opponents, and I’m training to make it four.

“This is going to be a tough fight, I know that. But every fight at the championship level is tough and has its challenges. I’m preparing hard for Danny and I believe that my experience fighting at this weight will be an advantage.”

This co-main event between two of the most skilled and accomplished fighters of this era will lead into the main event, as Canelo Promotions presents the Mexican Independence Day weekend blockbuster headlined by pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez putting his unified super middleweight world titles on the line against unbeaten WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory contender Edgar Berlanga.

Heading into this matchup, Lara and Garcia have combined to face a staggering 21 world champions throughout their illustrious careers in which both have won world titles at two weight classes. Lara had an extended run as the top fighter at 154 pounds, before moving up to middleweight in 2021 and beginning his knockout streak. Trained by the renowned coach Ismael Salas, Lara will look to continue to impress as boxing’s oldest reigning world champion.

“I’m very happy with the work I’ve been putting in during this training camp,” said Lara. “We’ve had a lot of time to work on fighting Danny Garcia and we’re prepared for what he brings. He’s a very powerful puncher with both hands, so I’ve had to tighten up and make a few adjustments on my defense. My focus is why I can keep performing at this level again and again. I’m going to be in tremendous shape like I always am and I’ll be ready for anything he does in the ring.”

Lara’s last outing on Mexican Independence Day weekend came early in his career, on the undercard of a Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez headlined event. With his return to this premier day on the fight calendar set to take place in the co-main event of a star-studded Canelo Álvarez card, Lara will look to represent his Cuban heritage in front of the passionate Mexican fight fans.

“it’s a great honor to be fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend, especially against a great Puerto Rican champion in Danny Garcia,” said Lara. “I’ll be fighting not only for my Cuban fans, but also for the Mexican fans that will be tuning in. It’s going to be a great fight for everyone watching, no matter where you’re from.”

With a chance to add a huge name to his resume and score another signature victory, Lara can earn his third-straight world title defense and make a strong case for the top spot at 160 pounds, after previously reigning at 154 pounds. In addition to those plaudits, Lara is motivated by his goal of earning a place into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“I feel I’ve done a lot in this sport, and a win versus Danny Garcia will add another big triumph against a former world champion,” said Lara. “I’ve fought the best and have never turned down an opportunity to fight anyone. My goal is to one day be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and I’m going to keep working to reach it.”

#         #         #

ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA

Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.

Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the  PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

This past May, many hours before one of the faces actively representing the long-storied tradition of fighters from Tijuana, Mexico, Jaime Munguia, came up short in a valiant effort against the leading name in professional boxing as a whole, Canelo Alvarez, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, one of the leading prospects to add to the border town’s fighting mythology, Adrian Torres, gave the production crew and smattering of early onlookers a taste of what the future could hold. Torres, now making his home north of the border, aims to continue his upward trajectory as he takes on veteran Ardin Diale in the six-round lightweight main event at the Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego, California this Saturday night. 

Torres (8-0, 6 KOs) now resides in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista, having grown up in the Tijuana colonia of La Gloria, with a population of just over 2,600 according to published sources. Over the years, Tijuana as a whole has produced many noteworthy fighters, such as two-division champion Raul Perez, more controversial figure Antonio Margarito, the great Erik Morales to the present day representatives like Munguia and recently dethroned super bantamweight champion Luis Nery. 

“I like “Panterita” Nery,” explains Torres when asked about fighters from his famous hometown. “I like his style and there have been occasions at the Canelo gym in the past where I was able to spar with him and he gave me some encouraging words. I like what he does in the ring, so right now I look up to him.” 

Despite his geographical affiliation with Jaime Munguia, it was Torres’ connections to Canelo, through his team, that landed the aspiring Tijuana fighter known as “Ratón” the coveted slot to open the event on May 4th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since the tailend of his limited amateur career, estimated to be around 25 fights, Torres has been trained and managed by a dedicated, multi-generational family unit, with chief trainer Carlos Barragán Sr., assistant Carlos Barragán Jr. and manager David Barragán. 

“Since [Canelo’s trainer] Eddy Reynoso helps us out and I work for Eddy, he says, ‘Carlos, let’s put Adrian Torres on,” recounts Barragán Jr. of the discussion that led to Torres’ bout against Arsen Poghosyan in May. “He’s from Tijuana and Jaime Munguia is from Tijuana.’ So I said, ‘Thank you very much’ and we went from there.” 

Prior to the May fight in Las Vegas, six of Torres’ seven pro bouts had taken place before a hometown crowd at the intimate Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego, with the lone exception taking place in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Despite being the first bout of the evening and performing before a sparsely populated audience, the experience gained of taking part in a Canelo Alvarez fight week alone cannot be underestimated. 

“That is a monster in-and-of itself,” explains Barragán Jr. “Just to have some obligations with the media and have to go make weight. You have to go and find the places to train, especially in Vegas. Then just the arena…walking into that arena is a different monster. When people say they want to fight Canelo, that is what some don’t understand. You have to handle the arena, the media. It was a great experience for the kid.” 

Torres met the moment and won every round on all three official judges’ scorecards over a solid opponent, while going the six-round distance for the first time in his career. 

“It was a great experience,” says Torres of competing on the Canelo-Munguia card. “It is a little different in those kinds of arenas, with the cameras, but it was a great experience. We went six rounds, working with my corner and following their instructions and making little changes along the way, but it was good to go the six rounds.” 

Poghosyan, who competed at a high level as an amateur in Armenia, maintained a trend of tough matchmaking by Torres’ team as they continue to prepare their charge for bigger fights down the road. In just his second pro bout, Torres was matched against a very tough Christian Avalos of Carson City, Nevada, but was able to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision in January of last year. 

“I took that fight when I was really busy, on the road, and opponents were not coming through,” explains Barragán Jr. “They called me on Avalos and, in reality, I didn’t really do my homework and just said let’s go. The contract came in and I started really doing my homework and I said, ‘We have a live one.’ [Avalos] had gone to the nationals, won a silver medal at nationals. Adrian Torres is just a local kid that is learning along the way and Avalos, in that fight, was not going to lay down. We hit him with everything and the kitchen sink, but he was just a tough cookie.”

With only Poghosyan and Avalos, two fighters with accomplished amateur backgrounds and solid chins, having lasted the distance with Torres, it would appear that Tijuana may have another ferocious finisher on the horizon.

“I don’t think it is my actual strength or power [that lead to the stoppages,]” explains Torres. “I think it is the precision of the punches that I throw. Looking at everything, they fall with the shot to the liver, so I really like that shot. I understand that power is good, but sometimes it is good to get the experience of the full rounds, so I can get that experience instead of only having short fights.”  

In the two fights prior to traveling to Las Vegas, Torres impressively dispatched fighters, in William Flenoy and Pedro Pinillo, that had either upset or hung tough against well-regarded prospects between lightweight and 140-pounds. Flenoy entered their bout 2-0-1 in his last three against fighters with a combined 13-0-2 record. Pinillo would go on to last the six-round distance against full 140-pound mega prospect David Lopez this past July. 

“I’m not giving him all scrubs,” says Barragán Jr. “We are developing him and doing some good things. It is just a matter of slowly building, polishing and going from there.” 

Torres’ polishing continues this coming Saturday as he steps up to meet the most experienced opponent of his brief career in 58-fight Filipino veteran and former world title challenger Ardin Diale in a six-rounder this Saturday in San Diego.

“The man is a tough guy with a lot of experience,” says Barragán Jr. of Diale. “He’s fought “Gallo” Estrada, he’s fought some good guys and knows what he is doing. That is the type of experience that is going to get Adrian experience too. Those men are just as dangerous as some of the kids, because they understand where to place punches and those are the types of fighters we want to expose Adrian to.”

Despite the vast difference in professional experience, Torres does not seem too worried that Diale (35-19-4, 17 KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines will be able to present anything that he cannot handle.  

“We are just going to go in and work with our speed and counter attacks and not let the experience ruffle our feathers or get us nervous,” explains Torres. “I think it is going to be a great fight, because he is coming in with a lot of experience. We are finalizing everything, checking the weight and focusing on the opponent. Everything is good.” 

The Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego has long been a hot venue for aspiring fighters from both sides of the border and all over Southern California to ply their trade and develop en route to bigger and more lucrative bouts. For many years, famed promoter Bobby DePhilippis made the hotel a destination for fight fans to see exciting, well-matched fight nights. In recent years Saul Rios of Borizteca Boxing, along with Eddy Reynoso’s No Boxing No Life, have proven to be exceptional caretakers of the established tradition. 

“I want to thank Eddy Reynoso from No Boxing No Life and I want to thank Saul Rios from Borizteca Promotions for providing this main event,” says Torres. “I am not going to let anybody down and we are going to have a great show. I want to let the fans know that, just like in the past, when they come to see a “Raton” fight, I will not predict anything, but they can understand that I am going to give them a great fight.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Borizteca Boxing, No Boxing No Life and Clase Y Talento Boxeo, are available at the House of Boxing Training Center in San Diego. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com