LAS VEGAS –Canelo Alvarez said he was facing a challenge. He wasn’t kidding. He just didn’t know just how much of a challenge it would be.

Turns out, Dmitry Bivol was a bigger challenger than even Canelo, boxing’s biggest star.

Bivol took him down Saturday, upsetting Mexico’s greatest current champion on a night when his nation celebrated Cinco de Mayo.

It was a stunner, historic, but not the kind of history Canelo has said he is pursuing. Bivol was supposed to be a step in his path to all-time recognition. But that journey was interrupted.

The bigger Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs), still the World Boxing Association’s light-heavyweight champion, employed all of his measurable advantages and many that can’t be measured, scoring a unanimous decision – 115-113 on all three cards – over the favored Canelo (57-2-2, 39).

“I prove today that I’m the best,’’ Bivol said to his promoter and the stunned crowd at T-Mobile Arena after the pay-per-view/DAZN bout. “Thank you, Eddie Hearn, Sorry, I break your plans for Gennadiy Golovkin, maybe.’’

On the Canelo blueprint, the bout versus Bivol was a good payday en route to a third fight against Golovkin.

A third bout in a contentious middleweight rivalry was seen as a way for Canelo to have the final say-so. It would allow him to move on from the debate about GGG, who had a draw and a decision loss to Canelo

But maybe Canelo moved a little but too fast and too far up the scale. He unified the super-middleweight title. Light heavyweight was next. But Bivol was there, to remind him that there’s a reason for weight classes.

Canelo, who had promised victory, offered no excuses.

“I lost tonight and he won,’’ Canelo said.

He also said he wanted a rematch. He was asked whether he would exercise the rematch clause in his contract with Bivol

“Si,’’ he said to the Mexican crowd.

Canelo has proven he learns from defeat. He learned a lot after his one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. After this one – only his second defeat, he faced many more adjustments against a skilled, poised Bivol. The Russian doesn’t get rattled.

No Russian anthem was played, no Russian flag was waved, when Bivol made his entrance. The World Boxing Association ruled against both weeks before the fight in response to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

Initially, the WBA’s ruling was called cosmetic. It’s a boxing acronym after all. It’s more about sanctioning fees than ethics. On fight night, however, the ban felt like the proper move. It fit the time. And the man.

Bivol, the WBA’s champion, has family in Saint Petersburg. He has never taken a position on his home country’s attack on a neighboring country. Neutrality has been hard to maintain. But he has remained quiet about his homeland. He delivers punches. Not opinions.

The Russian flag and anthem might have put further pressure on Bivol in an arena already awash in Mexican flags and symbols. It was Cinco de Mayo, a party and a celebration of Mexican pride. Bivol was the pinata at a roaring fiesta.

But the designated pinata contained surprises. Bivol was more than just a party favor. He had some weapons of his own.

In an early surprise, Canelo started faster than expected. He’s known for a measured pace in the first few rounds. Against Bivol, however, he didn’t hesitate.

The opening bell still echoed through the jammed area when he began to move forward, ever forward. Perhaps, he was buoyed by the crowd, his crowd. Perhaps, he already knew that Bivol couldn’t hurt him. Perhaps, Canelo was anxious to get the job done and join the party.

Whatever the reason, the Canelo attack got underway without hesitation. The thud from his lethal body punches could be heard in the upper-reaches of T-Mobile. The real surprise was coming from Bivol, who over the first four rounds would not give an inch.

Canelo backed up and into the ropes repeatedly. But Bivol responded, coming back behind his long jab. Midway in the third round, the Russian appeared to land a left solid enough to get Canelo’s attention.

In the fourth and again in the fifth, Canelo began to show signs of fatigue. He breathed heavily through an open mouth. The momentum – slowly, surely and inevitably – had begun to switch. It belonged to Bivol.

In the end, so did the victory and the title.

Restless crowd boos Montana Love decision over Gabriel Gollaz

It was an awkward fight between a lefthander, Montana Love, and an orthodox Gabriel Gollaz. A couple of early knockdowns were the result.

In the first round, Love,(18-0-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, landed a glancing blow that knocked Gollaz off balance. Then, he appeared to slip. Referee Tony Weeks ruled it a knockdown.

In the second, Gollaz (25-3-1 15 KOs) , of Mexico, threw a quick counter left. It, too, appeared to be a glancing blow off the top of Love’s. But it was enough for Love to lose his balance. He touched the canvas. It was a knockdown. He got up , looking almost embarrassed.

For the next several rounds, neither fighter knew what to do. It left the crowd unhappy. Restless fans knew what to do. There was no love for Montana. None for Gollaz either. Fans jeered, whistled and booed. Love came into the ring to a rapper who carried his pet dog. Even the dog must have whined.

In the end, Love won a unanimous decision. The crow cheered. But it was happy only because it was over.

The only good news was that the main event, Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol, was next.

Shakhram Giyasov wins unanimous decision

Shakhram Giyasov, an Olympic silver medalist and a welterweight from Uzbekistan, had enough power and poise to emerge from a sloppy fight with a unanimous decision over Mexican Christian Gomez.

It wasn’t close on the scorecards. Giyasov (13-0, 9 KOs) made sure of it with power. He knocked down Gomez (22-3-1, 20 KOs) three times. Two — one in the fourth and again the 10th were — clear. One in seventh, however, appeared to be the result more of a trip than a punch.

Marc Castro wins one-sided decision

Lightweight prospect Marc Castro (7-0, 5 KOs), of Fresno CA, got in some work, dominating Pedro Vicente (7-5-1, 2 KOs).

Vicente, of Puerto Rico, never had a chance. Never won a round either. Castro scored a six-round shutout, 60-54 on all three cards.

Zhang Zhilei scores first-round KO

He was a late stand-in. He didn’t stand for long.

Scott Alexander, a substitute for Croatian Filip Hrgovic, was gone within a minute, thanks to a straight left from Zhang Zhilei, perhaps the biggest athlete from China since Yao Ming.

Zhilei (24-0-1, 19 KOs) might not have the same height as Ming, a former Houston Rocket center. But he’s got a slam dunk for a left hand. He took one step back, threw it on a straight line and it landed, dropping Alexander (16-5-2, 8 KOs) flat onto his back in the first bout in the pay-per-view telecast of the Canelo-Bivol card. It was over at 54 seconds of the opening round

Joselito Velazquez unleashes deadly combo for TKO of Soto

Joselito Velazquez had power. He added precision. It was deadly.

Velazquez (15-0-1, 10 KOs, a Mexican flyweight, blew out Jose Soto with the combination, stopping the Colombian (15-2, 6 KOs) in the sixth round of the final fight before the pay-per-view telecast of the Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol card.

Velazquez landed a left, short and precise. Then, he followed up with a succession of powerful combinations. Jay Nady ended it at 1:06 of the sixth

Aaron Silva scores powerful TKO

Superman is stitched across the back of Aaron Silva’s trunks. The Mexican super-middleweight lived up to the nickname. Alexis Espino had no chance against his sustained power in the third fight on the Canelo-Alvarez undercard.

Silva (10-0, 7 KOs) stunned Espino (9-1-1, 6 KOs) with a huge right in the fourth and then poured it on, driving Espino into the ropes and leaving him defenseless. Kenny Bayless stopped it at 1:17 of the round.

Abduraimov scores three knockdowns for second-round stoppage

Elnur Abduraimov (9-0, 8 KOs), a powerful junior-bantamweight from Uzbekistan, appeared to be too much Manuel Correa. Appearances quickly turned real.

Correa (11-1, 7 KOs) was finished within two rounds of the second bout on a card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol. Abduraimov overwhelmed the Cuban, knocking him down three times in bout stopped at 2:43 of the second.

First Bell: Canelo-Bivol show opens with a split decision

Empty seats, lots of echoes.

That’s how the show started Saturday, about seven hours before Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol were scheduled to fight for a light-heavyweight title at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN pay-per-view bout.

There was nothing definitive about the opener. The matinee ended in a split decision. Mexican junior-welterweight Fernando Molina (8-0, 3 KOs) prevailed,mostly because of an edge in power. He rocked Ricardo Valdovinos (8-2, 5 KOs), of San Diego, just enough to win on two of the three score cards.

By Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS — Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol made weight while a sweating crowd lost some Friday at a weigh-in under hot afternoon sun in the Nevada desert.

With temperature approaching triple digits, both Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) and Bivol (19-0, 11 KOS) came in under the 175-pound limit for their heavyweight title fight Saturday (Pay-Per-View, DAZN) at T-Mobile Arena.

Alvarez was at 174.4. Bivol, the current World Boxing Association belt-holder, tipped the scale 174.6. Both are expected to be several pounds heavier at opening bell (PPV telecast starts at * pm ET/5 pm PT)

“Canelo, probably 180,” promoter Eddie Hearn told reporters after the weigh-in in front of a lively Cinco de Mayo crowd at the Toshiba Plaza outside of T-Mobile. “Bivol, probably 190.’

By Norm Frauenheim –

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez is moving up scale. Saturday it’s a bid for a light-heavyweight title held by Dmitry Bivol.

Then, there’s some business to finish with Gennadiy Golovkin in a third fight projected for September.

After that, he and his current promoter, Eddie Hearn, are talking about a unified title at 175 pounds, perhaps against Artur Beterbiev in May 2023.

He continues to talk about a fight at cruiserweight. Welterweight champion Errol Spence was mentioned for a date at a catch weight. Now, there’s even some wild talk about a move to heavyweight against Oleksandr Usyk.

A lot of names are mentioned, all there like milestones on the path to what Canelo calls history. There are no apparent limits to what Canelo hopes to do. Bivol might change that at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view bout (DAZN). But that would be a huge upset.

If Canelo walks through Bivol the way he bulldozed Callum Smith, Caleb Plant and Billy Joe Saunders, his chances improve at actually doing what he envisions.

But at least one thing hasn’t changed. David Benavidez is still not in his plans. Among the myriad of names, weight classes and belts mentioned this week, there was no Benavidez. There was no mention of unbeaten middleweight belt-holder Jermall Charlo, either.

But increasingly Benavidez is the fighter at the top of the list. Take a poll. Benavidez, who faces David Lemieux on May 21 in Glendale AZ, is the fighter fans want to see against Canelo.

Even Hearn seemed to concede that much this week in a give-and-take with the media after a formal news conference Thursday.

“How can you say Charlo is a better fighter than Beterbiev? ‘’ Hearn said in a defensive counter to questions about the quality of Canelo’s opposition. “Are you mad? How can you say Charlo is a tougher fight than Dmitry Bivol at 175? Absolute rubbish.

“Who has Charlo ever beat? Keep going. Now, tell me the recent ones. (Juan Macias) Montiel? Terrible. He wasn’t motivated to fight. (Maciej) Sulecki? Lovely kid. But Sulecki? Put him in with Plant, with Benavidez.

“I think Benavidez could be the best of all of those.”

But it’s the best of a group that continues to be ignored in Canelo’s grand plan. For now, at least, that means the unbeaten Benavidez, a two-time former super-middleweight champion from Phoenix, is consigned to play the historical role that once belonged to Antonio Margarito. Oscar De La Hoya wouldn’t fight Margarito. Floyd Mayweather wouldn’t fight Margarito.

Hearn, however, suggests that Benavidez can change that role. It’s clear Hearn, like the fans, can see the explosive potential in a Benavidez-Canelo fight.

“That’s a big fight,’’ Hearn said.

But, Hearn also said, it’s up to Benavidez’ promotional team to put him in a better position to get the Canelo date he has sought for just about as long as Canelo has pursued history.

“Ultimately, the fights against Benavidez and Charlo are just voluntary defenses of his 168-pound title,” Hearn said. “He could (fight Benavidez at 175 pounds). But that’s another voluntary defense. If you said to Canelo, what would you rather do? ‘Fight Benavidez in a voluntary defense or fight Beterbiev for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship?’ it’s not even a conversation.

“Benavidez wants big fights. It’s embarrassing who they’re fighting. Why don’t you make Charlo versus Benavidez? Why don’t you make Benavidez versus Plant. You give them all these easy fights for all this money and they’re not selling. You’re just burning money.

“Get the guys together, make the fights. I know Benavidez. He wants the big fights. It’s PBC’s job to put him in big fights and they’re not. Canelo-Benavidez could be a massive fight.

“But it’s nowhere near what it could be.”

Interesting.Got it.Wow.

By Norm Frauenheim –

LAS VEGAS – It’s blood sport. It’s show biz, too. Canelo Alvarez does both in a career that includes risk and riches, a balancing act hard to master and even harder to sustain.

But Canelo is there, still on the high wire and on an ascending path notable in part because there just aren’t many apparent rivals in his way.

He says he fights for history. His promoter says he fights for legacy. Those are noble pursuits, of course. But fans are a little bit more pedestrian. They just want to see him fight somebody.

Maybe, Dmitry Bivol is that somebody. Bivol is there, next on Canelo’s assembly line to legacy.

He’s got a belt. He’s has an unbeaten record. He’s a step up the scale for Canelo, who is moving from super-middleweight to light-heavy. Those are elements easy to promote, easy to sell for a crowd anxious to see Canelo confront the sort of adversity he hasn’t seen since his draw and narrow decision over Gennady Golovkin in 2017 and 2018.

Front and center, those maybes have been the sale pitch this week for Canelo’s fight with Bivol at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view, DAZN fight. Maybe, Bivol can deliver the drama. Maybe, he can do what Callum Smith, Avni Yildirim, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant could not.

“Yes, he is a good fighter,’’ Canelo said Thursday during a final formal news conference at MGM Grand. “He’s really a good champion. He’s solid champion, at 175 pounds. I respect Dmitry Bivol.

“This is the kind of fight that will put me in the books of history.’’

But it is also a fight burdened by much of what fans have seen for a couple of years. Despite Bivol’s overall competence and thorough skillset, he looks a little but like the string of Canelo earlier opponents.

None have had enough power to keep Canelo from mounting his trademark assault. The theory has played out repeatedly. If Canelo knows he can’t be hurt in the opening moments, he’ll launch his predictable beatdown. He’ll begin to move forward stubbornly with sustained punishment. Again, maybe Bivol has the skillset to slow him down.

“I believe in my victory,’’ said Bivol, notable because he’s a likeable Russian whose country is waging an unpopular war in the Ukraine. “If you don’t believe, you can’t win.

“Why not?’’

It’s a fair question. But there are lot of numbers that argue against Bivol’s belief. He hasn’t scored a stoppage in more than four years. More ominous, perhaps Is a revealing statistic from Compubox’s Dan Canobbio. Bivol has thrown fewer than 20 power punches in 44 of his last 51 rounds. You can’t beat Canelo that way.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, Canelo’s current promoter, is frustrated with the questions about Canelo’s opposition. He countered them repeatedly in a give-and-take with media after the news conference. The questions fail to acknowledge what Canelo is achieving in the here and now, Hearn said.

“He might be the greatest fighter ever since Ali,’’ Hearn said.

The generations since Ali have include some legendary names. Here are just a few: Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao. Does Canelo belong among them? Hearn seemed to say that he does.

Canelo has been fighting champions, Hearn said. He’s been beating them too. But there are belts and weight classes aplenty these days. Hearns rival Bob Arum called all the belt-holders a bunch of “Jambonis” last Saturday when asked if he would put together a couple of more title 130-pound unification bouts together for Shakur Stevenson after his one-sided victory over Oscar Valdez for two of the junior-lightweight belts.

“Most of the people out there don’t know who the hell those guys are,’’ Arum said.

But they do know Canelo.

“This is my time,’’ Canelo said.

It is. It has been. And it might continue to be his time for a while. There’s a third fight with Golovkin looming in September. The consensus is that Canelo, now in his prime, will knock out the remains of the GGG rivalry with a dominant victory over Golovkin, who looks to be a year or two past his best days.

Hearn foresees a couple of fights in Europe. Then, he said, maybe Canelo can unify the light-heavyweight title against Artur Beterbiev in 2023.

“Maybe, next year’s Cinco de Mayo fight,’’ Hearn said.

Maybe. More like probably.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2022) – Former World Super Middleweight Champion and top light heavyweight contender, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (43-0, 39 KOs), is fully focused on his May 14th opponent, German Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs), not the winner of this week’s fight between Zurdo’s fellow countryman, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmiity Bivol.

If Zurdo defeats Boesel in their 12-round main event match, the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) Light Heavyweight World titleholder and WBA No. 1 rated contender, No. 2 ranked Ramirez will be positioned to challenge the Alvarez-Bivol winner. But he needs to get past Boesel to force his long-sought world light heavyweight title fight against Canelo of Bivol.

“Zurdo vs. Boesel,” presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zurdo Promotions and SES Boxing, will stream live and exclusively on DAZN from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

“Whatever happens,” Ramirez said about the Canelo vs. Bivol fight, “I’ll be ready for the winner of that fight. Both are great fighters, but I’m ready to beat both.

“I expect an all-out fight (vs. Boesel). This is a life-changing fight for him, so I’m prepared for anything he throws at me. My team has been getting me ready and I have full confidence I will be the victor come fight night.”

Ramirez has several advantages over Boesel: higher quality experience, the fact Boesel has never fought outside of Europe, his hometown advantage with the fight in his adopted home and his Mexican fans coming out in force.

“I’m the best in the world and will always have the advantage,” Ramirez added. “But I still can’t take him (Boesel) lightly. He’s a longtime pro who knows how to take advantage of the moment.

“It’s convenient for me (fighting in the LA area), but at the end of the day it’s a fight. To me, it doesn’t matter if it’s held in Zurich, Frankfurt, Tokyo, or Mexico, I can fight anywhere. I don’t worry about the other fights (in southern California the same day – Charlo-Castano in Carson, Kovalev-Pulev in Inglewood). I’m just focused on my fight, and I know that come fight night, my fans and all my Mexican people will be with me.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

LONDON, MARCH 23 – Richard Schaefer has made the same prediction about the future of Pat McCormack as he did for a young Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – that the Olympian will become a pound-for-pound great.

Probellum President Schaefer said “nobody really believed” him when he told the boxing world that Alvarez was destined for the very top of the sport, when he began promoting the Mexican over a decade ago.

But Schaefer was proven correct as Canelo has grown into a multi-weight world champion and the biggest fighter on the planet.

McCormack, an Olympic silver medallist, makes his professional debut in Newcastle on Friday night at Probellum Throwdown and Schaefer says the 26-year-old will become a world champion and takeover the sport – just like Canelo.

“I know I am going to be right because I was right in 2009 when I signed young fighter and I said: ‘This guy is going to be the face of the sport, he’s going to be pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world’” Schaefer said.

“Nobody really believed me, they said it was promoter talk but that guy was Canelo Alvarez. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to work with such a generational talent. I am telling you guys, remember where you heard it first, he will be world champion, he will be a superstar, he will be the face of the sport because he has all the ingredients.

“Pat was the most sought-after talent out there, irrespective of weight, following the Olympic Games and if he stays sharp, stays focused and doesn’t listen to all of these outside influences, then the sky is the limit. It is an honour to be able to work with Pat McCormack.”

McCormack faces Nicaragua’s Danny Mendoza over six rounds at the Utilita Arena and has promised to go looking for the spectacular knockout win if the chance presents itself.

“I’ve not boxed since the Olympics and feel like I was celebrating my silver medal for about five months!” McCormack said with a smile.

“But I’ve been training with Ben Davison since January, working on things and I trust Ben and the team, so I am going to go out there and do my thing on Friday night.

“If I smell blood I am going to take Mendoza out.”

McCormack’s coach Ben Davison added: “I’ve not seen someone make the adjustment that quickly before. When he first walked into the gym, he looked like a top amateur but now he looks a world champion. And to make those adjustments that quickly, to be honest with you, is quite mind-blowing for me and the other coaches in the gym.”

For all of the latest on McCormack’s career, as well all ticket information and future announcements, sign up to the Probellum newsletter or follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.???

About Probellum???
Launched in September 2021, Probellum is a global boxing promotion and media company, and the fastest-growing brand in the sport.

Probellum’s elite stable of international fighters includes Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Dina Thorslund and Muhammad Waseem.

But the company has also recruited the next generation of stars with Peter McGrail, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack and Shabaz Masoud among the young talents under the Probellum umbrella.

Since launching, Probellum has also signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including DiBella Entertainment (US), Wasserman (Germany), Universum (Germany), GYM (Canada), Maravilla Box (Spain), Team Ellis (Australia), Titov Boxing Promotions (Russia), Volcano Boxing (El Salvador), BXSTRS Promotions (Mexico), PR Best (Puerto Rico) Glozier Boxing (New Zealand), Box Office Sports (Ghana) and LNK Boxing (Latvia).?

The IBF World Heavyweight Title Final Eliminator between Filip Hrgovi? (14-0, 12 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (23-0-1, 18 KOs) will take place on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard on May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
 
Hrgovi? has been hunting a dance partner for a showdown to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF World Title held by Oleksandr Usyk. The 29-year-old Olympic bronze medal man has cut a lethal swathe through the pro ranks to sit in a prime position for a deserved shot at the big prize, ending all but two of his fights inside the distance, and not going past the fifth round in his last seven outings.
 
A host of Heavyweights were offered the clash with the dangerous Croatian, but not until it came to #13 ranked Zhang was a dance partner found, with the lofty Chinese star accepting the challenge. The 38-year-old has been circling for a major showdown, and ‘Big Bang’ gets his wish against Hrgovi? in Sin City with the two KO artist promising to leave it all in the ring with the stakes so high.
 
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgovi?. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF World Title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept.
 
“I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet, and I believe I have better the qualities. My speed, stamina and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him.
 
“I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a World Title and nothing is going to stop me. Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show. I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
 
“I am very happy that this fight is going to happen,” said Zhang. “I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass.
 
“When no-one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgovic, I told myself that I had to do it for me, and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”

“Finally, we’ve found an opponent willing to accept the challenge,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “Having gone through the IBF rankings twice, Zhang has stepped up to face Filip Hrgovi? in an IBF World Title final eliminator. We now have ‘El Animal’ versus ‘Big Bang’ for a shot at the biggest prize in boxing. This epic battle is going to light up the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where fans can witness the next Heavyweight Champion of the World in action.”
 
“I love the Heavyweight dust-up between Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang,” said Eddie Hearn. It’s been a long-time coming for someone to step up to the plate and fight Filip, credit to Zhilei and his team for taking on the challenge. Both men carry huge power, and they know that victory takes them one step closer to sport’s ultimate prize – Heavyweight champion of the World. There won’t be a backwards step taken when they rumble, it’s going to be fireworks on an already electric night.”
 
Hrgovi? vs. Zhang is the latest addition to what promises to be a stacked card in Las Vegas with Montana Love and Gabriel Valenzuela also set to square off in a mouth-watering Super-Lightweight battle in support of the blockbuster main event as pound-for-pound Mexican king Canelo looks to become a two-time World ruler at 175lbs against long-reigning WBA champion Bivol on Cinco De Mayo weekend.
 
Tickets will go on sale starting at $105 (plus fees) on the following dates and times (all times PT) at AXS.com.

• AXS, Fighter, DAZN and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales:  Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Public On-Sale:  Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Tickets for Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 7, live on DAZN, excluding Latin America and Mexico, will go on sale onWednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. PT. In the U.S. & Canada, the event will be offered exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per View (PPV).
TICKETS FOR MAY 7 GO ON SALE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 – CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
 Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) returns to Las Vegas for his first Cinco De Mayo fight since 2019 where he defeated Daniel Jacobs at T-Mobile Arena in a Middleweight unification clash. The Mexican superstar has embarked on a sensational run of fights since that night, moving to Light Heavyweight to win a World title at a fourth weight against Sergey Kovalev before returning to Super Middleweight to beat Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant and becoming the first undisputed champion at 168lbs.

Canelo has chosen the toughest of paths once again for his next challenge as he attempts to become a two-time champion at 175lbs by meeting long-reigning WBA belt-holder Bivol. The 31-year-old (19-0, 11 KOs) has been untouchable as a pro in 19 outings in the paid ranks and Canelo will be his 10^th defense of his crown. Bivol has seen off the likes of Joe Smith Jr., Jean Pascal, Sullivan Barrera and Isaac Chilemba on his path to meeting Canelo.

Tickets will go on sale starting at $105 (plus fees) on the following dates and times (all times PT) at AXS.com.

• AXS, Fighter, DAZN and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales:  Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Public On-Sale:  Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.

By Norm Frauenheim –

The deal is done, all nine figures of it, without any chance that Canelo Alvarez will face David Benavidez over the next year.

It’s not a surprise. It’s more of a pattern. Months ago, Canelo and his trainer, Eddy Reynoso, were clear that their plans did not include Benavidez.

If not now, when?

It’s an unanswered question. The pressure is on Benavidez to provide an answer.  Canelo put it there, squarely on his young shoulders, in interviews after Canelo’s May 7 date with light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol on May 7 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena was formally announced Wednesday.

Canelo repeated his mantra about his pursuit of history. He suggested there was no chance at making some against Benavidez or Jermall Charlo. He suggested that they needed to fight each other.

Mostly, he said they needed to bring more to the table in terms of legacy, a word that is at the cornerstone of the marketing for the Canelo-Bivol bout, the first in a rich Matchroom deal expected to lead to a third Canelo fight with Gennadiy Golovkin.

On the virtual fight poster, it says “Legacy Is Earned.’’ In social media, it comes with a hashtag, #legacyisearned. Intentional or not, the message to Benavidez and Charlo is that they haven’t earned enough of it.

“They have nothing to offer,’’ Canelo told reporters after the Bivol bout was announced at a news conference in San Diego. “I just want to make history, and they have nothing to offer me.’’

Canelo’s kind of history, of course, is attached to more than a hashtag. There’s a dollar sign, a very big one. According to some reports, the deal for perhaps three fights is worth $160 million.

That’s a lot of legacy, enough to be a powerful factor in any calculation of the risk-to-reward ratio.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. perfected it.

Canelo learned it.

It’s impossible to understand Canelo’s career without his loss to Mayweather on Sept. 14, 2013 at Vegas’ MGM Grand. The loss was a lesson, on both sides of the ropes for Canelo, who was 23 – two years younger than Benavidez – when he lost a decision to Mayweather.

In the eight-plus years since then, Canelo has evolved as a boxer. And a businessman. He has succeeded Mayweather at the top of the game because of what he learned from him.

There are two fundamentals: Knowing who to fight. And when to fight him.

It’s no coincidence that Canelo has waited until GGG turned 40 before a second rematch of their two controversial bouts, the first a draw and the second a Canelo victory by majority decision.

Assuming GGG beats Ryota Murata on April 9 in Japan, he’ll face Canelo, still well within his prime. He’ll turn 32 on July 18. Insert the respective ages to the risk-to-reward equation, and GGG looks less risky than a 25-year-old Benavidez, especially for a payday that could exceed $50 million.

Put it this way: Who would you fight? Dumb question. It’s GGG every time.

It’s hard to see how the emerging Benavidez ever gets included in Canelo’s application of the risk-reward ratio. Benavidez, expected to fight Canadian David Lemieux in May perhaps in hometown Phoenix, is just entering his prime. He’ll be 30 in five years. By then, Canelo might have moved from the gym to the golf course for good.

Benavidez might be to Canelo what Antonio Margarito was to Mayweather. Mayweather never fought Margarito. That’s not because he couldn’t beat him. He could. He probably would have. But it would have been a very tough fight. Margarito was tough and aggressive. He was dangerous. Manny Pacquiao beat him, scoring a one-sided decision in November 2010 on the Dallas Cowboys’ home field in Arlington, Tex.

But Pacquiao got hurt by a huge body shot midway through the bout from Margarito. It took something from Pacquiao. The Filipino great was never quite the same fighter, so relentless and fearless early in his pro career.

Pacquiao won. But he paid a price. Mayweather wouldn’t go there. A likely victory wasn’t worth the potential cost.

It looks as if Canelo sees Benavidez the same way. Canelo would probably beat him. But Benavidez’ size, high volume of punches and relentless pursuit could take a toll. The risk is a steep price, one not worth it on a scale that has rewarded Canelo with Mayweather-like money. 

Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol came face-to-face today in San Diego to officially launch their clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday May 7, with Bivol defending his WBA World Light-Heavyweight title against the pound for pound king on Cinco de Mayo weekend Sin City.
 
The May 7 blockbuster will be available to subscribers around the world on DAZN, excluding Latin America and Mexico. In the U.S. & Canada, the event will be offered exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per View (PPV) – newly introduced for very select events to come – and priced at $59.99 for current subscribers and $79.99 for new subscribers (inclusive of a one-month subscription to DAZN).
 
An announcement on ticket on-sale dates and prices will be made due course.
 
Canelo Alvarez
 
“Thank you to Dmitry Bivol for the opportunity to fight for your world championship, thank you so much. I’m glad to be back with Eddie Hearn and working with him, with DAZN, I’m really excited for this year.
 
“When I work hard and do my best in the ring, I make a good fight for the fans. Thank you everybody and I’ll see you on May 7.
 
“I don’t care, I like challenges, it makes me feel alive – challenges for me in everything in my life. I like a good challenge and now I have a very good fighter in front of me and I’m excited for this fight.
 
“Bivol is a really tough fighter and it’s going to be a really good fight for Cinco de Mayo weekend with my people in Las Vegas – Mexican weekend. I’m really excited and I’m going to prepare really well because this fight is going to be really hard.” 
 
Dmitry Bivol
 
“I want to say thank you to all my team, my promoter, World of Boxing and to DAZN, Eddie Hearn and Canelo for the opportunity to make this fight.
 
“I believe in my skills and when I come to the ring I believe in my victory. I’m looking forward to May 7, thank you.
 
“Me and my team wanted this fight and I’m glad this fight will be in the United States and one of the Mecca of boxing. This is also very exciting, and it means a lot to me.
 
“This is very important for me especially because I’m fighting one of the best if not the best in the world right now, I want people to be able to see me and my skills, this is a big fight that can give me the ability to achieve my other goals and go on if I win this fight.”
 
Eddie Hearn
 
“Legacy is earned is a strapline for this event and I don’t think anything could be more fitting when you talk about Canelo Alvarez. Back on DAZN PPV on May 7 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Alvarez challenge Dmitry Bivol for the WBA Light-Heavyweight title.
 
“It’s an absolute honor to sign a multi-fight deal with Canelo Alvarez and his team, the great Eddy Reynoso and of course DAZN as well – working with this man is very special.
 
“I think we all appreciate in boxing that the big fights never get made and that’s because the teams and fighters sometimes look for easier options, I’ve never worked with anyone like Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso.
 
“This is a true great of modern-day boxing and when you look at the resume off the back of the two fights with GGG, fights against Daniel Jacobs for the middleweight championship, stepping up two divisions to fight Sergei Kovalev for the WBO light-heavyweight championship. Within one year becomes undisputed 168-pound champion by beating all three champions in Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant.
 
“If that wasn’t enough, now he moves up again another division to fight in my opinion the best light-heavyweight in the world in Dmitry Bivol. Dmitry Bivol is undefeated, current WBA champion of the world, we’ve worked with him for a long time, his manager Vadim Kornilov and world of boxing who we have a great relationship with.
 
“This young man has been looking for an opportunity like this for a long time, this is not a young man who’s reached the end of his career or is past his prime, this is an outstanding champion in his absolute prime ready for the opportunity of his life against the pound-for-pound king of boxing – Saul Canelo Alvarez.” 
 
Eddy Reynoso
 
“Thank for you for the award, special thanks to Ring Magazine for making this happen. We’re very happy for this fight against a very tough challenge, a great champion in Dmitry Bivol.
 
“We’re definitely looking forward to the challenge that we have, we’re trying to build Canelo’s legacy obviously into the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Thank you to everyone who is here.”  
 
Vadim Kornilov
 
“We appreciate the opportunity; this is a very exciting fight for us and something we’ve vowed for a very long time. We appreciate team Canelo for giving us the opportunity, we look forward to it and I hope everybody is going to be healthy and ready for the fight. I’m looking forward to a great event.”
 
Joseph Markowski,
 
“It’s a really exciting day for us at DAZN and we couldn’t think of a better event and a better partner in Canelo Alvarez, Eddy Reynoso to launch out DAZN PPV platform. As Eddie alluded to, clearly our global schedule is getting stronger and stronger, the subscription value that we are offering is continuing to be very strong with our special events around PPV we’re truly excited about the opportunity that gives out business in the coming years.
 
“Eddie spoke about the quality of this match-up, the deal with Canelo gives us a fantastic couple of events this year and we can’t wait to serve that on the DAZN PPV platform to our audience around the world. To both men, thank you for your partnership and best of luck in your preparation, we look forward to seeing all of you come May 7 on DAZN PPV.”

By Norm Frauenheim –

It looks as if Canelo Alvarez has more deals on the bargaining table these days than he has clubs in his golf bag. There’s no end to the reported options or the money. Mostly, the money.

The unsourced reports are all over the proverbial ballpark. Eight-five million dollars here. A hundred-million over there. Only the B-word — as in billion — hasn’t been reported. Given today’s inflation rate, that one can’t be too far away.

It’s always safe to attach some skepticism to the dollar sign next to those eight and nine-figure sums. When talks begin at boxing’s bargaining table, they might as well be speaking Russian. The numbers are hard to understand. Harder to believe. But they do include some lessons, especially for David Benavidez. He continues to be the odd man out.

He knows that. He’s known it for a while.

“Of course, I want to fight Canelo, (Caleb) Plant, (Jermall) Charlo, any of those guys,’’ Benavidez, a Phoenix native, said Wednesday during a media workout featuring middleweight prospect Diego Pacheco in Rancho Fe, CA. “But they don’t want to fight me, so I’ll fight who I have to fight, become a world champion until they have no choice but to face me.”

The abundance of Canelo’s options and his proven pay-per-view numbers allow him to do whatever he wants. For now and probably for a while, what he doesn’t want is a date with Benavidez.

Instead, all of the reports point to a Matchroom Boxing deal for a Canelo fight in May with light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol that could lead to a third bout with Gennadiy Golovkin, according to ESPN. As of Friday, however, there was no agreement.

“About my next fight nothing is confirmed,’’ Canelo said in a tweet Thursday.

ESPN reported that GGG has yet to agree. He’s training for a bout at middleweight in Japan with Ryota Murata in April. He’s expected to beat Murata. But he’s past his prime and a third fight with Canelo is past its due date. GGG turns 40 on April 9. He still argues that he beat Canelo, first in a fight judged to be a draw in 2017 and then a rematch that Canelo won by majority decision in September 2018.

The lingering controversy perhaps is still reason enough for a third fight. It’s a chance for Canelo to shut up the doubters, once and for all. For the aging GGG, it’s a chance to make his point and an opportunity at one more big payday. But it’s a little late in the game.

The momentum, at least among younger fans, is swinging increasingly toward Benavidez-versus-Canelo.

On their respective career paths, Benavidez and GGG are going in opposite directions. GGG’s best days are behind him. Benavidez’ best is still ahead of him. The two-time former super-middleweight champion, who is expected face David Lemieux in a spring bout perhaps in hometown Phoenix, is about 15 years younger than GGG. He turned 25 on December 17.

That’s why Canelo appears to be leaning toward a deal that leads to GGG instead of a reported PBC offer that would have led to Benavidez.

On the risk-to-reward ratio – a formula that Canelo has learned and applied ever since his lone loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013, the choice is easy. Frustrating too, for Benavidez and his growing crowd of supporters who see him as the only real threat to Canelo Inc.

By Norm Frauenheim-

Canelo Alvarez has options. David Benavidez has only frustration.

Canelo’s future has become a multiple-choice game. He was thinking about cruiserweight. Then, there are reports about a super-middleweight defense against a middleweight champion. Or, maybe a light-heavyweight challenge between tee times.

None of the above. Or all of the above. Benavidez is not among the reported possibilities, despite a growing number of fans and pundits who are calling for Canelo to fight him. ESPN’s Tim Bradley is just the latest to cast his vote for Canelo-Benavidez.

‘’That’s the guy that everybody wants to see him face, you know,’’ Bradley said during an ESPN telecast about the mounting speculation surrounding Canelo’s next fight.

But, you know, Benavidez is the one guy Canelo isn’t considering. His trainer, Eddy Reynoso, said so, eliminating Benavidez from a projected May 7 date.

Actually, Reynoso did more than eliminate Benavidez. He insulted him, or at least dismissed his resume. It just doesn’t measure up, Reynoso said in so many words. That brought on an inevitable counter from Benavidez, who extended his unbeaten record (25-0, 22 KOs) with a stoppage of Kyrone Davis in front of a roaring hometown crowd of about 8,000 in downtown Phoenix Nov. 13.

“It kind of, like, frustrates me now that everybody’s coming out and saying I haven’t fought nobody, that I’ve never fought on pay-per-views, I’m nobody, this and that,” Benavidez said during an appearance on the Calling Russ Anber podcast. “You can say all that, but I’m going through the ranks at super middleweight. I’ve been number one like three fights already. I’ve been beating the people I have to beat.

“The people love to see me fight, so why wouldn’t he want to fight me?’’

Good question.

Other than an opening bell, there’s not a very good answer. Inevitably, there’s talk that Canelo is simply ducking Benavidez. Maybe.

For now, however, there’s only one thing that seems to guide Canelo’s thinking on who he will — or won’t fight. A belt has to be involved. Benavidez doesn’t have one. At least, he doesn’t anymore. The World Boxing Council’s 168-pound belt was taken from him twice, first for testing positive for cocaine and then for not making weight.

Belts are like hood ornaments. They’re cheap and plentiful. But Canelo still places value on them. They are symbols, perhaps, in the history Canelo says he is pursuing.

Presumably, that’s why Reynoso mentioned cruiserweight Illungu Makabu. Makabu has a belt, the WBC’s version. A two-division jump up the scale generated a lot of headlines and social-media talk. But the possibility has cooled over the last several weeks. Makabu defends his title on Jan. 29 against Thabiso Mchunu Jan. 29 on a Don King-promoted card in Warren, Ohio.

King, of course, is still trying to trumpet the Canelo possibility. After all, he has to sell the pay-per-view. But even King hinted that Canelo’s interest has cooled.

“Hopefully, I can get him to come on in to the fight,’’ King said last week during a Zoom session for a card scheduled for a chilly locale. “So far, he don’t want to come in to that cold snow. Maybe, the sun will shine one day.’’

And, maybe, Canelo will fight Jermall Charlo instead. Talks for a May fight with Charlo, first reported by ESPN, make more sense than a risky jump up to cruiserweight.

Against Charlo, Canelo would eliminate much of the risk and retain all of the reward. It would be Charlo’s first fight at 168 pounds. But he has the one thing Benavidez doesn’t. He has a belt, the WBC’s 160-pound version.

The other Canelo possibility is at light-heavy. Joe Smith Jr. and Dmitry Bivol have been mentioned. They, too, have one thing in common: A belt. Smith retained the World Boxing Organization’s 175-pound version with a stoppage of Steve Geffrard. Bivol has a World Boxing Association belt.

Without one, Benavidez has only frustration.

His immediate future figures to include faded Montreal middleweight David Lemieux. Caleb Plant is also there. Plant is looking for a comeback from his one-sided loss to Canelo, who took his International Boxing Federation belt in a beatdown that ended in an 11^th-round TKO on Nov. 6.

Benavidez and Plant had set the stage for a showdown with trash-talking exchanges. But it all ended when Canelo decided he wanted another belt. Benavidez-Plant could still be a good fight.

For Benavidez, it also would be a yardstick, one way to measure himself against the pay-per-view star who continues to elude him.

A stoppage of Plant in an earlier round than the 11^th would give Benavidez some bragging rights. That’s better than just more of the same frustration.

HOLLYWOOD, FLA–IBF #10 Luis “King Kong” Ortiz 33-2(28KO) kept his name in the top Heavyweight conversation with big over IBF #2 Charles Martin 28-3-1 (25KO) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Martin former IBF heavyweight champion dropped Ortiz in round one and four, but round six was all Ortiz when he let his hands go in a fist of fury to drop Martin twice on the way to his TKO Victory.  Ortiz has been a fixture atop heavyweight rankings for years, with his only defeats coming in memorable contests against former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Official Time was 1:37 Round 6.

FRANK SANCHEZ REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH A DECISION WIN OVER HAMMER

Canelo Alverez was on hand to watch his stablemate Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez 20-0 (13KO) go to work in his heavyweight showdown against war-tested Christian Hammer 26-9 (16KO). Sanchez dropped Hammer in the final frame on his way to a shutout, with all the cards reading 100-89.  In comparison, Luis Ortiz nor Alexander Povetkin was able to stop Hammer but he was stopped by Tyson Fury in 2015 and Hugie Fury in October (retired due to a bicep injury.). 

JONNIE RICE BEATS MICHAEL COFFIE AGAIN

Heavyweight Jonnie Rice 15-6-1 (10KO) outlasted Michael Coffie 12-2(9KO) for his second upset in a row. In a slow-paced 10 round flightThis was a rematch from his upset win in July when Coffie was stopped by Rice in the 5th.

The cards read 97-93 twice and 99-91.

Demirezen Stops Washington in 8

The heavyweight action continued at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino with Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen 15-1(12KO) stopping Gerald Washington 20-5-1(13KO) in the eighth round.  Demirezen hunted Washington from the opening bell, it was an effort of hard work and “chopping of the tree” as they say, until 0:29 of the eighth when referee Frank Santore Jr halted the action in round 8. Washington was stopped by Charles Martin last year and before that, Adam Kownacki, Jarrell Miller, and Deontay Wilder.

Faust stops Kiladze in 2 Round Classic

The main card started with bombs and fireworks with Heavyweights Viktor Faust 9-0 (7KO) and Iago Kiladze 27-6-1(19KO) who put on an instant classic in an absolute 2 round war. 

Five total knockdowns, In round one Faust dropped Kiladze, then Kiladze returned the favor and dropped Faust then Faust was dropped Kiladze for a second time in round one.  The fireworks continued immediately in round two when Kiladze dropped Faust and then Faust came right back and dropped Kiladze, during the count referee Sam Burgos saw concern and waved off the fight, a very unpopular decision to the crowd. Officially a TKO2 win for Faust. What a fight!

Frank “The Ghost” Martin dropped Romero Duno 24-3 (19KO) twice with big straight left hands in the fourth for a TKO win improving his impressive record to 15-0 (11KO). After the fight, Martin put the top of the lightweight division on notice. “We right here we don’t need no time, we are ready for whoever, anyone in the top 5, We could do Devin Haney.”

The 26-year-old southpaw Martin is originally from Detroit and now trains in the Dallas area under the guidance of top trainer Derrick James and alongside unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

In a slugfest of two unbeaten Cuban Heavyweights southpaws, former Olympian Lenier Pero 6-0 (3KO), outworked Geovany Bruzon 6-1 (5KO) in an 8 round battle.  The cards read 78-74 and 77-75.  Great matchup of two young undefeated fighters.

Former 2 time national Golden Glove Champion junior lightweight Maliek Montgomery improved to 12-0 (11KO) while stopping Angel Luna 14-9,  at 1:59 in the 3rd.

Welterweight Alayn Limonta moved his record to a perfect 4-0(4KO) with a 4th round TKO over Ray Barlow 5-2 (3KO)

In another slugfest of unbeaten heavyweights Steven Torres 5-0-1(5KO) and James Evans 4-0-1(4KO), battled for 4 hard rounds, often testing the others’ chins with big right hands.  In the end, the cards read 40-36 for Torres, 39-37 Evans, and 38-38 resulting in a split draw.

Light heavyweight Atif Oberlton 5-0 (5KO) dropped Ernest Amuzu 26-6 (22KO) in the first round and kept the pressure on until 2:59 of round 2 when Amuzu’s corner called an end to the fight to save their fighter.

By Norm Frauenheim-

Terence Crawford put the debate back into the pound-for-pound campaign. But there’s no argument about pay-per-view. Canelo Alvarez owns it. Almost monopolizes it.

Perhaps the two, P4P and PPV, shouldn’t be linked. But forget the old apples-and -oranges advice. Punches-and-pay do mix. It’s called prizefighting. It’s one word, sometimes separated only by a hyphen, depending on who’s doing the spell check. Yet, they’re forever one and the same, a little bit like blood-and-sport.

The linkage was never more evident than it has been over the last couple of weeks. It was capped by Crawford’s statement stoppage of Shawn Porter last Saturday in Las Vegas. At one level, it was almost predictable. It was vintage Crawford — always poised, powerful and predatory.

Because of delays throughout the pandemic season and some of the usual divisions in in the balkanized boxing business, however, we just forgot how good – scary good — he really is.

He reminded us, winning a 10^th-round TKO over a smart, tough ex-welterweight champion who had never been stopped. Within one round, Porter was down twice, which equaled the number of times he had been on the canvas before the 36^th bout in his 13-year career. Then, Porter announced his retirement.

It was stunning. From Keith Thurman to Errol Spence Jr., there have been all kinds of explanations as to why Crawford had not faced the best-known fighters in the 147-pound division. There was the promotional divide, PBC and Top Rank. There were rival networks. Yet in one dynamic performance, Crawford displayed plenty of reasons to avoid him.

The big reason, however, arrived a couple days after the fight. The pay-per-view numbers were a disappointment, despite a capacity crowd of 11,568 at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.

According to various reports, they ranged from 135,000 to 190,000. Whatever the number, it fell short of expectations. The guess before opening bell was 300,000. Top Rank’s Bob Arum had talked about 500,000 to 1.5 million for a bout carried exclusively on ESPN +. That exclusivity might have limited the television audience. Crawford thinks so.

“I feel like there was a lot of opportunities left on the table,” Crawford said Tuesday on Shawn Porter’s podcast, The Porter Way. “You know what I mean? Not only with fighters (like Thurman and Spence), but also with pay-per-view. Like for instance, me and Shawn Porter fought on a app. 

“There were so many people that was telling me they don’t know how to get the app on the TV. They don’t know how to do it. And, you know, the average elderly or person that doesn’t — you know, know tech – they’re not gonna know how to get the app on the TV. So, what do they do? They don’t buy.’’

There were other factors. Crawford-Porter was just the latest in a string of pay-per-view bouts. There was Tyson Fury’s wild KO of Deontay Wilder on Oct. 9. There was Canelo’s stoppage of Caleb Plant on Nov. 6.

Then, there’s inflation. The PPV price for Crawford-Porter was $69.99. Add another $6.99 if you weren’t already an ESPN+ subscriber. A month-long subscription was part of the price tag. That comes to $76.98. In other words, do you buy the fight or a tank of gas?

Maybe, the disappointing PPV numbers were also a result of bad scheduling. It was the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Turkey isn’t exactly cheap either.

Trouble is, Crawford’s PPV numbers have never been good, despite his brilliance. That’s problematic for a fighter who was a promotional free agent the second Porter’s father and trainer, Kenny Porter, ended it at 1:21 of the 10^th. Then, Crawford indicated he was leaving Top Rank. But his PPV record, more than his unbeaten record, will determine whether he can land a rich deal. The prize in prizefighting is pretty simple: Follow the money.

Arum has talked about a one-fight deal with Crawford versus Scotland’s Josh Taylor, the best fighter in the UK today. It makes sense. Taylor, the unified junior-welterweight champion, would move to 147 to face Crawford, a former unified champion at 140.

However, Arum is talking about doing the fight in the UK. Why? Because Crawford’s PPV numbers make him the so-called B-side. The money for a Crawford-Taylor fight would be in pounds instead of dollars. More Brits than Americans would buy it.

Meanwhile, Crawford’s victory over Porter appears to have resurrected interest in a fight with Spence, who underwent eye surgery in August. Spence was at ringside for Crawford-Porter. So was Taylor. But Spence has stronger PPV numbers than Crawford. That creates a real dilemma for the fighter who – from this corner – emerged from the victory over Porter as the pound-for-pound No.1, ahead of No. 2 Canelo.

But this debate will continue, well into 2022. Canelo has more than punching power. Pay-per-view, he’s undisputed. His victory over Plant did a reported 800,000 buys, or at least 600,000 more than the reported number of customers for Crawford’s victory. The result is that Canelo can do what he wants. 

For now, that means Ilunga Makabu instead of David Benavidez.

In a surprise, Canelo manager/trainer Eddy Reynoso asked the World Boxing Council (WBC) for permission to challenge Makabu, the acronym’s cruiserweight champion from The Congo.

The WBC is about the prize, too. There’s money – a good sanctioning fee –in the move. There’s risk, too. Canelo would be jumping up the scale in a bid for a fifth division title. There’s a reason for weight classes. Canelo is in jeopardy of suffering a knockout. He could get hurt.

If he wins, however, he wins the PPV debate. Even if he’s defeated and emerges unhurt, he’s in a no-lose situation. He’ll still have his undisputed super-middleweight title. He’ll be applauded for taking the risk, and applause counts for a lot in the pound-for-pound race, which is inherently political.

For Benavidez, that means more waiting and more calling out Canelo. He did so after blowing out a brave Kyrone Davis in an impressive Phoenix homecoming a couple of weeks ago. If he fights David Lemieux – as rumored — for a mandatory shot at Canelo WBC 168-pound title, Canelo could decide to fight at light-heavyweight. Maybe, Benavidez gets shot at him at 175, Maybe, not.

For now, it’s Canelo’s call. On any scale, he’s got all the clout.

With current Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez now confirmed to be facing WBC Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Makabu in his next bout, Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter of undefeated two-time super middleweight world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez, has received permission from the WBC Board for Benavidez to fight for their Interim Championship in his next bout.

Today at their 59th annual world convention in Mexico City, Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso petitioned the WBC to allow the future hall-of-famer to challenge Makabu for a chance at another world title in an amazing fifth weight division. Reynoso’s request was granted unanimously.

In response, Lewkowicz immediately requested that Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), whom many considered at the top of the list of potential next Canelo opponents, be given a chance to hold their world championship for the third time in his undefeated career. The request was also granted.

An opponent for Benavidez’s attempt at a third WBC belt will be announced shortly.
About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.

By Norm Frauenheim (Ringside) –

PHOENIX – There was a crowd of about 8,000. And there was an audience of one.

David Benavidez hopes he heard them.

All along, the Benavidez campaign has been about Canelo Alvarez. He’s been chasing Canelo for a couple of years. On Saturday, he delivered another performance in a homecoming that keeps him squarely in the mix for a shot at the undisputed super-middleweight champion.

Benavidez (25-0, 25 KOs) beat a tough Kyrone Davis (16-3-1, 6 KOs), forcing Davis’ corner to throw in the towel early in the seventh round at The Footprint Center.

“I think everybody wants to see me fight Canelo, right? Benavidez said in the middle of the ring moments after his victory.

The crowd roared yes. A Showtime audience heard it. Maybe, Canelo did too. The echoes will be there weeks from now as Canelo thinks about who’s next. There’s plenty of talk about a Benavidez-Canelo showdown on May 7. It’s a perfect match – Benavidez, a Mexican-American against Canelo, a Mexican — for the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

But Canelo, deliberate in the ring and out of it, said he won’t be in a rush to make a decision. He has the belts. He has the pay-per-view numbers. He has options aplenty. He has the time. He’s has it all.

For now, Benavidez can only wait. That won’t be easy.

“I don’t care what his assessment of my fight is,’’ Benavidez said of Canelo. “But they keep putting these contenders in front of me. 

“…They need to give me the opportunity. I’ll go through anybody.’’

At 24, Benavidez is still a maturing fighter with poise and power. He’s anxious to test that poise, use the power against the biggest name in the game.

Both were evident, again and again, through six rounds against Davis, who took huge shots from a relentless assault from the taller Benavidez.

Benavidez is known for throwing a so-called volume of punches. But there was no silencing Davis, a Terence Crawford sparring partner who agreed to the fight just two weeks before opening bell.  In the end, Davis trainer Stephen Edwards stepped in with a timely decision. It was time to end it. He did so at 47 seconds of the round

“David Benavidez is a tremendous fighter,’’ Edwards said. “He’s a monster.

“We fought. We tried to win. We didn’t come here to lay down. I think a lot people through that was the case. But I love this kid. I didn’t want to see him get hurt.’’

Seconds after the towel landed in the center of the ring, Benavidez showed his appreciation for Davis. He hugged him.

“He thanked me, thanked me for being a warrior,’’ Davis said.

David Benavidez’ victory helped his family and his fans forget about brother Jose Benavidez Jr.’s debatable majority draw with Argentine Francisco Torres (17-3-1, 5 KOs) in 10-round fight contracted to be at 159 pounds. Two judges scored it 95-95 each. One judged scored it 96-94 for Jose, who was fighting for the first time in three years. 15 Rounds scored it 96-94 for Torres.  

“I don’t know how I got a draw,’’ Jose Jr. (27-2, 18 KOs) said.  “We can run it back. I beat him. I thought I beat him. He kept running. He didn’t want to stay in the pocket. I can’t do anything about the judges’ decisions. I felt good. He just kept holding. I beat him every round. What can I do?

“I beat him. I beat him. He wasn’t hitting me hard. He just kept holding.’’

But the crowd seems to think otherwise. It booed Jose Benavidez. It cheered Torres.

In the end, however, there were only cheers.

For both David Benavidez and Davis.

Best of the Undercard

Junior-middleweight Elijah Garcia (9-0, 8 KOs) of nearby Glendale AZ, opened the show, flashing some prospect possibilities with a succession of power shots for a fifth-round TKO of Todd Manuel (2-91-1, 6 KOs) of Rayne, LA.

The Rest

Micky Scala (3-0, 1 KO), a Mesa AZ junior-middleweight who recently signed with Floyd Mayweather, endured some head-rocking shots, countered and in the end won a four-round unanimous decision over Martez Jackson (5-6-3, 2 KOs) of Macon GA.

Jesus Ibarra (12-0, 6 KOs), a junior-welterweight from Mesa AZ, calls himself Monsoon. He showed why in the second, storming Mexican Hector (12-14-2, 6 KOs) for a TKO victory at 2:05 of the round.

Farid Ngoga (12-0, 11 KOs), a junior-middleweight from Glendale AZ, employed a mix of speed and precision for a unanimous decision over Isaac Freeman (3-10-2, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles.

Junior-lightweight Jonathan Fierro (12-0, 11 KOs) didn’t waste any time. It took him 29 seconds to blow out fellow Mexican Victor Ruiz (13-12, 11 KOs). Officially it was a technical knockout. Nothing technical about it.

Phoenix featherweight Keenan Carbajal (23-2-1, 15 KOs) was too big for an overmatched Josean Bonilla (12-7-2, 9 KOs), who was bloodied and beaten after three rounds. The referee ended it after just two second of the fourth.

Follow all the action as Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant battle it out from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  The Round by Round will be done from ringside.  The action begins at 9 pm ET / 6 PM PM with a three fight undercard featuring former two-time world champion Anthony Dirrell, Former 122 lbs world champion Ray Beltran and Elvis Rodriguez

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED; THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1 Jab from Plant….Chopping right from Canelo…Body work…Body shot

Round 2 Left hook from Canelo…Uppercut on inside..Left hook from Plant..Right from Canelo…Jab from Plant..Body shot..Left hook..Uppercut from Plant..Left hook from Canelo..Couple jabs from Plant…Left hook from Canelo..3 punch combo from Plant…Jab and right from Canelo..Rught..Right uppercut..

Round 3 Jab from Plant..Lead left from Canelo..2 left hooks…Jab by plant…Body shot from Canelo

Round 4 combination on ropes from Canelo..Jab from Plant..Body shot from Canelo..Right hand

Round 5 Left hook to body from Canelo..Flurry from Plant…Left from Canelo…

Round 6 Right left combo from Canelo..Nice left hook..Stiff jab from Plant…Jab from Canelo….Chopping right..Left hook..Jab from Canelo..Jab from Plant…Jab from Canelo

Round 7 Counter right from Plant…lead left hook from Canelo…Jab from Plant..Counter right…left hook to body from Canelo

Round 8 Double left hook from Canelo..Mouse under right eye of Canelo

Round 9 Body shots from Canelo..Jab to body…Left hook from Plant..Counter right..Left hook from Canelo…Right from Plant..combination from Plant…Body combination

Round 10 Body shots from Canelo

Round 11 BIG UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES PLANT……hUGE FLURRY…PLANT IS WOBBLING ALL OVER AND THE RIMH AMD GETS DROPPED AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Round 1:

By Norm Frauenheim (Ringside)-

LAS VEGAS – It was a coronation.

Canelo’s coronation

It even included a crown, worn by Saul Canelo Alvarez as he paraded around the ring moments after his eleventh-round stoppage of Caleb Plant for all the pieces to the super-middleweight title Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena

It was a crown symbolic of a lot. He’s the first undisputed champion in the history of a division that dates back to 1967. That’s 54 years. Lots of kings come, go and are toppled within that time span.

We’ll have to wait and see how long Canelo’s reign lasts. But his history will endure mostly because of his deliberate, tireless pursuit of excellence. Go ahead and argue all you want about how he would do in another generation or against legends that were around half-a-century ago. But it’s hard to argue with numbers. And Canelo is putting up a lot of them.

With the super-middleweight title, the Mexican, already a champion at junior-middleweight, middleweight and light-heavyweight, is just the sixth unified champion in any division during boxing’s four-belt era.

Yeah, the battered game has been corrupted by too many belts, too many acronyms and too many weight classes. That said, Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) has been winning as many of them as he can. That’s all he can do. He stays busy in a sport increasingly defined by more and more idle time. Yet in 11 months, Canelo fought four times to win all four of the 168-pound titles.

He’s the reigning exception. Let him wear that crown. It fits.

It also rests on a redhead that had been fitted for it long before he ever began his 168-pound campaign. Plant (21-1, 12 KOs) was just the last domino to fall, just another piece on Canelo’s blueprint to dominance.

Plant, who held the International Boxing Federation’s version of the belt never had much of a chance throughout Showtime’s pay-per-view telecast. The betting odds declined before opening bell, from 10-to-1 to 7-1. Money on Plant was coming in from a crowd that loves to play longshots. Maybe, they were betting on Canelo breaking an ankle on his way to the ring and up those three steps through the ropes.

Didn’t happen.

Canelo’s predictable dominance was apparent from the first round to the end – 1:01 of the eleventh. That’s when Canelo finished Plant with a succession of punches for a second knockdown in the round. The first knockdown was the result of a crushing left hand and successive rights as Plant fell onto his hands and knees on the canvas, a beaten challenger.

“It wasn’t easy to get to this place,’’ said Canelo, whose ability to conquer the challenges were compensated Saturday night by a $40-miliion payday.

It probably won’t be easy to move on either. A date with David Benavidez, who fights next Saturday night in Phoenix? A move back up to light-heavy?

“We don’t know,’’ Canelo said. “First, we need to rest.’’

There were no immediate comments from Plant, a Tennessean who collected $10-million.

He and Canelo hugged in the middle of the ring after the fight. Plant was then taken to Las Vegas’ University Medical Center for observation.

“I have a lot of respect for Caleb Plant,’’ said Canelo, who was angered by much of Plant’s pre-fight trash talk. “He was a difficult opponent with a lot of ability, and I do respect him. We are both men at the end of the day. He wanted to fight me and still continue. I told him there’s no shame. We had a great fight tonight.

“He was making the fight pretty difficult, but Eddy (Reynoso) told me to just stick to the game plan in the last two rounds. In the end, I got him. That’s the way it had to finish. He was already hurt and I went for the kill.”

There’d be no crown if King Canelo hadn’t.

Anthony Dirrell wins, scoring a huge KO

It was a lousy day for just about anybody wearing Michigan State gear other than Anthony Dirrell.

Dirrell, wearing the Spartan logo on green trunks trimmed in white, won a few hours Saturday after the No. 3 Spartans lost at Purdue in the final fight before the Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant ,main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs), a super-middleweight from Flint MI, did it spectacularly

Violently, too.

He delivered a right-handed wheelhouse upper-cut for a concussive knockout of Marcos Hernandez (15-5-2, 3 KOs) at 22 seconds of the fourth round. Hernandez never saw the punch coming. He had to be helped onto a stool, where he sat and tried to regain his consciousness for a few very long moments..  

Rey Vargas says unbeaten, wins unanimous decision

Unbeaten Rey Vargas, a force at junior featherweight, moved up the scale. And he brought the force with him. He also stayed unbeaten.

Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs), long and lanky at 122 pounds, looked just as long and lanky at 126 Saturday with a skillful decision over fellow-Mexican Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KOs) on the pay-per-view part of the Showtime telecast of a card featuring super-middleweight Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant. 

Vargas, a junior-featherweight champion trained by Mexican geat Nacho Beristain, employed his long arms and punching precision to leave Baez bloodied under one eye and beaten on every scorecard —  100-90, 99-91, 100-90.   

Elvis Rodriguez storms back from loss with big KO

Elvis Rodriguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) began to put prospect back into his resume.

The junior-welterweight from the Dominican Republic did so with power, scoring two knockdowns — one in the fourth and again in the fifth — for a convincing victory over Juan Pablo Romero (14-1, 9 KOs) of Mexico.He knocked out Romero with sweeping left hook in the closing seconds of the fifth round. Rodriguez, trained by Freddie Roach, raised a lot of questions about his future with a majority decision loss to Kenneth Sims Jr in May. He delivered a couple of answers Saturday night on the Canelo-Plant undercard.

Super-flyweight Fernando Diaz scores super KO

Fernando Diaz (10-1-1, 3 KOs), a super-flyweight from southern California, executed a left hook with perfect timing and unerring precision in the fourth fight on the Canelo-Plant card Saturday.. It landed,– boom — on Jan Salvatierra’s chin late in the fifth round.

Somehow, Salvatierra (7-1, 3 KOs) picked himself up and and on to his feet. But he didn;t stay there for long. Within a couple of seconds, he fell forward and into the ropes, a loser by knockout at 2:16 of the round.

Jose Antonio Meza survived a 1st round knockdown to eek out an eight-round unanimous decision over Jose Gomez in a super featherweight bout.

Meza, 132 lbs of Durango, MEX won by 76-75 tallies on all cards and is now 8-6. Gomez, 131 lbs of Huntington Park, CA is 12-1.

Mexican flyweight Velazquez scores scorecard shutout

Mexican flyweight Josesito Velazquez (14-0-1, 9 KOs) possessed more power and .and a lot  more aggression, both enough to score a unanimous decision over Gilberto Mendoza (19-1-3, 10 KOs) of San Francisco in an eight-rounder, the second fight on the Canelo-Plant card. Velazquez scored a shutout (80-72) on all three scorecards. 

First Bell: Rances Barthelemy opens the show with TKO win

In an empty building and in front of vacant seats, Cuban Rances Barthelemy (29-1-1, 15 KOs) got things started with a second round TKO of Argentine Gustvao Vittori (25-10-1, 12 KOs) in a junior-welterweight matinee on a card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Caleb Plant Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Barthelemy, a former junior-lightweight and lightweight champion, landed a quick succession of punches that put Vittori down in his corner, finished at 1:54 of the second round. 

BY Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS – It was part weigh-in. Part popularity contest.

Caleb Plant made the weight and – from the sound of it – a ton of more enemies.

On any scale, Canelo Alvarez won Friday’s weigh-in by thunderous acclamation for Saturday night’s super-middleweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

That wasn’t exactly a surprise. Showtime’s pay-per-view telecast (6p.pm PT/9 pm ET) has always been Canelo’s show. He’s the draw, the irreplaceable dynamic that stirs up the interest, if not the drama. The odds say so. Canelo was still a 10-1 favorite late Friday, according to BetMGM.

The purses say so, too. Canelo will collect at least $40 million, or four times more than Plant’s $10-million guarantee, according to multiple sources.

Canelo, who was at the 168-pound limit Friday, appears to be close to having it all. A final piece, Plant’s International Boxing Federation belt, is expected to be in his possession. sometime Saturday night.

A lot of it depends on Plant (21-0, 12 KOs), however. Can he surprise – stun – the heavily-favored Canelo? His agile footwork and hand speed might give Canelo (56-1-2, 38 KOs) some trouble in the early rounds. Still, the questions are whether he has any real power and whether he can survive a predictable Canelo assault to body and head in the later rounds.

There were no sounds of doubt in Friday’s weigh-in crowd. There were only jeers, all for Plant at every turn. First, there were boos when he stepped onto the scale. Then, there were insults when he stepped off after weighing 167 pounds.

Plant fired back, mocking the Canelo crowd with gestures and words. He looked angry. Then, the Tennessee native turned defiant, sounding like a southern-fried Vanilla Ice.

“It’s easy to sit in those seats,’’ Plant said. “It ain’t easy to stand up here.’’

Canelo, of course, is saying that Plant won’t be standing at all when it’s over. The Mexican superstar says he’ll stop Plant between the seventh and ninth rounds.

With his growing command of English and all its expletives, Canelo trash-talked Plant while the two glared at each other. They were separated by the scale, regulators and promoters. Everybody was anxious to avoid an encore of the brawl that erupted two months ago during a news conference in Los Angeles.

Behind them, stood Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight champion known for wild news conferences and wilder moments. He was standing not far from the floor where he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear in the notorious Bite Fight in 1997.

Tyson likes Canelo. He picks him to win

“He’s the he best fighter of his generation,’’ said Tyson, who at the time almost looked as if he were relieved not to be involved in any of the tension, words and other signs of imminent hostility.

Showtime’s Jim Gray asked him if he missed the scene, a mix of chaos and nervous anticipation.

“Not so much,’’ said Tyson, a Canelo fan who also knew how Plant felt.

He’s been there, a sign perhaps that just about anything can happen Saturday night.    Attachments area

LAS VEGAS (November 5, 2021) – Mexican superstar and unified WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez and undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant both made weight and faced off for the final time ahead of their undisputed showdown tomorrow night live on SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Final weights and commission officials for the entire SHOWTIME PPV card are below.

Undisputed Super Middleweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Canelo Álvarez – 168 lbs.

Caleb Plant – 167 lbs.

Referee: Russell Mora; Judges: Dave Moretti (Nev.), Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Super Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Anthony Dirrell – 168 ½ lbs.

Marcos Hernandez – 168 ½ lbs.

Referee: Celestino Ruiz; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Max DeLuca (Calif.), Lisa Giampa (Nev.)

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Rey Vargas – 125 lbs.

Leonardo Baez – 126 ½ lbs. 

Referee: Raul Caiz, Jr.; Judges: Eric Cheek (Nev.), Glenn Feldman (Conn.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Super Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Elvis Rodriguez – 142 lbs.

Juan Pablo Romero – 143 lbs.*

*Romero missed weight; the bout will proceed as scheduled. 

Referee: Robert Hoyle; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Max DeLuca (Calif.), John McKaie (N.Y.)

# # #

ABOUT CANELO VS. PLANT

Canelo vs. Plant will see boxing’s consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Mexican superstar and unified WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez face undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant in a historic showdown on Saturday, November 6, live on SHOWTIME PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT featuring two-time super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell squaring off against exciting contender “Madman” Marcos Hernández in the 10-round co-main event. Unbeaten former super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas returns to action against Mexico’s Leonardo Báez in a 10-round attraction on the pay-per-view, while lightweight contenders Elvis Rodríguez and Juan Pablo Romero will duel in a 10-round showdown to kick off the action.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter with the hashtag #CaneloPlant, and @Canelo, @SweetHandsPlant, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @Canelo, @CalebPlant, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

NEW YORK – November 5, 2021 – Boxing’s first-ever world championship unification fight in the 168-pound division pitting Mexican superstar, four-division world champion and unified WBC/WBO/WBA Super Middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez against undefeated IBF Super Middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant is now available for pre-order in the U.S. via the SHOWTIME app and on the web via SHOWTIME.com.

The four-fight telecast will also be available on a variety of digital streaming platforms and via major cable, satellite, and telco providers in the U.S. and Canada. Produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV, the event begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Álvarez vs. Plant is available for purchase now for $79.95 on the SHOWTIME app and online at SHOWTIME.com/PPV. All U.S. consumers who purchase the event via SHOWTIME.com can watch the event live through the SHOWTIME streaming service app on Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, Chromecast, Xbox One, as well as online at SHOWTIME.com.

iNDemand is serving as a cable and telco distributor for the U.S. and Canada. Viewers can order the event with their remote control or voice remote via all major U.S. cable, satellite, and telco providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Verizon Fios, Optimum, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, U-Verse TV, DISH and more. In Canada, the event can be ordered through Rogers, Bell, Shaw, SaskTel, and TELUS.

The pay-per-view telecast will also be distributed via Sling and available for purchase and streaming through the SHOWTIME Sports^® YouTube channel in the U.S. and Sony via its PlayStation Store in the U.S. and Canada.

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV event, leading the most experienced announce team in boxing. Versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle the blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Former junior middleweight world champion Raúl “El Diamante” Márquez and seasoned boxing reporter Alejandro Luna will serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team, with Emmy^® Award-winning event announcer Jim Gray, boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as unofficial scorer and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The director is Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy. The pair has been guiding SHOWTIME Sports’ flagship series SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® since its inception in 1986 and has produced the three highest-grossing pay-per-view events of all time (Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-McGregor, Mayweather-Canelo).

Tickets for the Álvarez vs. Plant closed circuit telecast at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas are available now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com/CaneloCCTV.

The four-fight SHOWTIME PPV event will feature a complete undercard of world-class professional boxing including two-time super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell squaring off against exciting contender “Madman” Marcos Hernández in the 10-round co-main event. Unbeaten former super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas returns to action against Mexico’s Leonardo Báez in a 10-round attraction. Kicking off the pay-per-view are super lightweight contenders Elvis Rodríguez and Juan Pablo Romero dueling in a 10-round showdown.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions, promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions and sponsored by Hennessy and Value. 

For more information about Canelo vs. Plant visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter with the hashtag #CaneloPlant, and @Canelo, @SweetHandsPlant, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @Canelo, @CalebPlant, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.