?May 2, 2023, Guadalajara, MX – As the boxing world descends upon Guadalajara, México for Canelo-Ryder fight week, Canelo Alvarez Promotions will show off three of their young undefeated boxers, in the boxing ring, on Wednesday, May 3.

?

The fight card, promoted by Canelo Alvarez Promotions, Close Y Talento Boxeo and No Boxing No Life, will be streamed live world-wide on ProBox TV beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT. Here is the card and weights:

10 Rounds Lightweights (135) TV# 4

Jonathan Lopez_______________________vs_________________________Osvaldo Nuñez

Orlando, Florida________________________________________________Morelia, Michoacan

10-0, 7 KOs_________________________________________________________________5-4

131¼ lbs._____________________________________________________________131¼ lbs.

8 Rounds Middleweights (160) TV#3

Lazaro Lorenzana___________________ _vs____________________________Alexis Rios

San Diego, California______________________________________________Zapopan, Jalisco

10-0, 8 KOs__________________________________________________________4-2-1, 1 KO

158½ lbs._____________________________________________________________158½ lbs.

6 Rounds Super Bantamweights  (122) TV# 2

Oscar Hernandez_______________________vs________________________Joseph Morales

Guadalajara, Mexico____________________________________________Mexico City, Mexico

4-1, 2 KOs___________________________________________________________2-1-1, 1 KO

122 lbs.__________________________________________________________________121½

6 Rounds Lightweights (135) TV #1 (9:00 PM) 

Cesar Ortiz____________________________vs______________________Antonio Gonzalez

Guadalajara, Mexico____________________________________________Mexico City, Mexico

5-0, 5 KOs____________________________________________________________3-5, 1 KO

135 lbs.________________________________________________________________135 lbs.

How to Watch Wednesday’s Show:

1. ProBoxTV.com

2. The ProBoxTV app available on all app stores

3. Available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV

Calling the fights on the ProBox TV produced event, on the English side, will be blow-by-blow commentator Mike “Goldy” Goldberg with the expert duo of former world champions Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Chris “The Fighting Collegian” Algieri as color commentators. On the Spanish side will be Ricardo Celis calling blow-by-blow and Eight-Time World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez adding his expertise.

About ProBoxTV: ProBox TV is a digital subscription service which gives fans exclusive access to ProBox TV Content including live streaming of fights and on-demand videos. You can also watch daily talk shows with Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and our host Claudia Trejos. ProBox TV can be accessed using your favorite streaming devices, including mobile devices, or any personal computer. ProBox TV is a global product and available in all countries.

Upcoming WEDNESDAY Live Boxing on ProBox TV:

May 17 – Plant City, FL;_______May 31 – México City

June 14 – Plant City, FL;______June 28 – México

July 12 – Plant City, FL:_______July 26 – México City, MX

August 9 – Plant City, FL;______August 23 – México

September 6 – Plant City, FL;___September 20 – México City, MX

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

May 1, 2023, Guadalajara, MX – As the boxing world descends upon Guadalajara, México for Canelo-Ryder fight week, Canelo Alvarez Promotions will show off three of their young undefeated boxers, in the boxing ring, on Wednesday, May 3.

The three Canelo fighters on the stream will be Fernando “Ferros” Molina (8-0-1, 3 KOs) from Guadalajara, México, Lazaro Lorenzana (10-0, 8 KOs) from San Diego, CA, and Jonathan Lopez (10-0, 7 KOs) from Orlando, Florida.

?

The fight card, promoted by Canelo Alvarez Promotions, Close Y Talento Boxeo and No Boxing No Life, will be streamed live world-wide on ProBox TV beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT.

In the main event, Molina will battle Kevin Piedrahita (6-1, 6 KOs) from Celaya, Guanajuato, México, in a ten-round lightweight bout. In the co-featured bout, Lorenzana and Alexis Rios (4-2-1, 1 KO) from Zapopan, Jalisco, México will face off in a six-round super welterweight bout. Opening the stream will be Lopez in a ten-round super featherweight bout.

How to Watch Wednesday’s Show:

1. ProBoxTV.com

2. The ProBoxTV app available on all app stores

3. Available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV

Calling the fights on the ProBox TV produced event, on the English side, will be blow-by-blow commentator Mike “Goldy” Goldberg with the expert duo of former world champions Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Chris “The Fighting Collegian” Algieri as color commentators. On the Spanish side will be Ricardo Celis calling blow-by-blow and Eight-Time World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez adding his expertise.

Chris Algieri notes: “Of course the eyes of the boxing world are all going to be on Canelo in his return to Guadalajara against John Ryder. This a massive event and deserves the attention it is getting. That being said, it doesn’t mean the boxing world stops.  ProBox will have its regularly scheduled Wednesday night fight series right in the middle of Canelo-Ryder fight week. ProBox isn’t here to compete with Canelo Alvarez, it’s here to find the next Canelo Alvarez.  Young fighters shouldn’t have to put their careers on hold because of a big fight. In fact, it’s a great opportunity for the champions of the future to soak up some of that superstar buzz that surrounds a big fight week.”

Paulie Malignaggie adds: Canelo is always front and center and is the name that resonates most with todays fight fans out of all the fighters of this generation. He is always the one under the most powerful microscope because literally everything about him can be and is discussed on his fight weeks. And ProBox is grateful to be part of the discussion.”

About ProBoxTV: ProBox TV is a digital subscription service which gives fans exclusive access to ProBox TV Content including live streaming of fights and on-demand videos. You can also watch daily talk shows with Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and our host Claudia Trejos. ProBox TV can be accessed using your favorite streaming devices, including mobile devices, or any personal computer. ProBox TV is a global product and available in all countries.

Upcoming WEDNESDAY Live Boxing on ProBox TV:

May 17 – Plant City, FL;_______May 31 – México City

June 14 – Plant City, FL;______June 28 – México

July 12 – Plant City, FL:_______July 26 – México City, MX

August 9 – Plant City, FL;______August 23 – México

September 6 – Plant City, FL;___September 20 – México City, MX

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

APRIL 26, 2023, PALNT CITY, FL – Every Canelo fight is an event and the entire boxing universe is focused on “Canelo Fight Week.” Next week, during fight week, Close Y Talento Boxeo, No Boxing, No Life, & Canelo Alvarez Promotions will promote a boxing event on Wednesday, May 3. The event will produced and streamed live, world-wide, on ProBox TV, beginning at 8:00 pm ET.

In the main event, hometown boxer Fernando “Ferros” Molina (8-0-1, 3 KOs) from Guadalajara, México will battle Kevin Piedrahita (6-1, 6 KOs) from Celaya, Guanajuato, México, in a ten-round lightweight bout. In the co-featured bout, Lazaro Lorenzana (10-8, 8 KOs) from San Diego, CA and Alexis Rios (4-2-1, 1 KO) from Zapopan, Jalisco, México will face off in a six-round super welterweight bout.

Calling the fights on the ProBox TV produced event, on the English side, will be blow-by-blow commentator Mike “Goldy” Goldberg with the expert duo of former world champions Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Chris “The Fighting Collegian” Algieri as color commentators. On the Spanish side will be Ricardo Celis calling blow-by-blow and Eight-Time World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez adding his expertise.

Chris Algieri notes: “Of course the eyes of the boxing world are all going to be on Canelo in his return to Guadalajara against John Ryder. This a massive event and deserves the attention it is getting. That being said, it doesn’t mean the boxing world stops.  ProBox will have its regularly scheduled Wednesday night fight series right in the middle of Canelo-Ryder fight week. ProBox isn’t here to compete with Canelo Alvarez, it’s here to find the next Canelo Alvarez.  Young fighters shouldn’t have to put their careers on hold because of a big fight. In fact, it’s a great opportunity for the champions of the future to soak up some of that superstar buzz that surrounds a big fight week.”

Paulie Malignaggie adds: Canelo is always front and center and is the name that resonates most with todays fight fans out of all the fighters of this generation. He is always the one under the most powerful microscope because literally everything about him can be and is discussed on his fight weeks. And ProBox is grateful to be part of the discussion.”

How to Watch Wednesday’s Show:

1. ProBoxTV.com

2. The ProBoxTV app available on all app stores

3. Available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV

About ProBoxTV: ProBox TV is a digital subscription service which gives fans exclusive access to ProBox TV Content including live streaming of fights and on-demand videos. You can also watch daily talk shows with Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and our host Claudia Trejos. ProBox TV can be accessed using your favorite streaming devices, including mobile devices, or any personal computer. ProBox TV is a global product and available in all countries.

Upcoming WEDNESDAY Live Boxing on ProBox TV:

May 3 – Guadalajara, México;  May 17 – Plant City, FL;

May 31 – México City

June 14 – Plant City, FL; June 28 – México

July 12 – Plant City, FL: July 26 – México City, MX

August 9 – Plant City, FL;  August 23 – México

September 6 – Plant City, FL;  September 20 – México City, MX

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

By Norm Frauenheim –

It’s called a tune-up. A long-awaited homecoming. But it’s beginning to look as if Canelo Alvarez’ fight with John Ryder on May 6 might prove to be more than just that.

The bout, Canelo’s first since his trilogy decision over Gennadiy Golovkin in September, is turning into a key date that could set the stage for the next and perhaps final chapter in a long, legendary career.

For weeks, the bout has been advertised as a way for Canelo to come back from surgery on his left wrist.

After a seven-month layoff, it’s a chance to see whether the wrist is repaired and the energy restored. In Canelo’s first fight in Mexico in more than a decade, it’s also an opportunity to say thanks to his fans in hometown Guadalajara.

It’s still all of those things. But increasingly there’s more at stake. More to consider.

There’s David Benavidez, who emerged from his unanimous decision over Caleb Plant on March 25 with unmistakable momentum. Then, there’s light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, who has been on the sidelines longer than Canelo in spite of his career-defining upset of the undisputed super-middleweight champion in a 175-pound last May.

The clamor for more Benavidez from his growing fan base and Bivol’s disappointing inactivity despite Fighter-of-the-Year recognition for the Canelo stunner are creating crosswinds and perhaps a crossroads for Canelo.

What’s next?

That plan looked simple enough before Benavidez-Plant. On Canelo’s to-do list, the first item was beating Ryder without complication and with only the roar of an adoring hometown crowd. Second item: A rematch with Bivol in September in a bid to correct the record with an avenging victory that would silence the Canelo doubters.

Before and after Benavidez plowed through Plant in the late rounds of a so-called 12-round eliminator, Canelo insisted that his 2023 calendar was booked.

Benavidez would have to continue waiting until at least next year. But Benavidez’ victory over Plant represents something of a coming-out party for the Phoenix-born fighter. There’s leverage in that. His growing number of fans are amplifying his call for a Canelo fight this year. Put it this way: His victory over Plant has put him squarely in the argument and will keep him there.

In on-line and social media, it’s an argument that – like Benavidez — won’t go away.  Just three weeks after Benavidez-Plant and three weeks before Canelo-Ryder, it continues. It’s sure to still be there, part of the proceedings at opening bell in Guadalajara.

It’s a debate fueled, first and foremost, by business interests. In prize fighting, follow the prize.

Despite Bivol’s comprehensive ring skill, he’s doesn’t have Benavidez’ emerging name recognition, especially among Mexican and Mexican-American fans. A further complication is Bivol’s Russian citizenship during Putin’s war with the Ukraine. Both loom as explanations for his inability to stay active in the wake of a victory that should have created opportunity. It just didn’t.

Depending on how Canelo does against Ryder, there are now reports that Showtime might make “an aggressive” offer to Canelo to fight Benavidez in late 2023. Bivol-Canelo would be interesting, but Benavidez-Canelo is the path to the biggest money, both for the fighters and the networks

But beware. In February 2022, Benavidez promoter/manager Sampson Lewkowicz said he had made an offer to Canelo to fight Benavidez in the fall of last year. It was aggressive, as in $50-million aggressive, according to Lewkowicz.

Canelo declined then.

He might decline again and instead pursue a rematch with Bivol. He has said he would want the rematch to again be at 175 pounds. His current promoter, Eddie Hearn, has mentioned super-middle, 168, which would put Canelo’s titles at risk.

But the biggest risk would be another loss, dealing a huge blow to Canelo’s career and long-stated pursuit of history. It would also damage the big-money potential of an immediate fight with Benavidez.

Already, there are hints of what many inside boxing have been saying since May. To wit: He can’t beat Bivol at either weight, 168 or 175. At opening bell, the Russian would still be the much bigger man.

Echoes of that opinion were evident last week in comments from Bivol manager Viktor Kornilov

“I don’t think Canelo’s team wants this fight and everything will be done to try to avoid this rematch and I don’t blame them,’’ Kornilov told RingTV.com.

Kornilov preceded that comment by saying that Canelo, Hearn, DAZN and fans wanted the fight.

“I do believe that Eddie, the fans and DAZN want the rematch,” Kornilov said. “There is no doubt this fight is attractive, as this is a fight Canelo clearly lost by majority of the rounds. I am sure Canelo personally wants revenge as well.’’

But, Kornilov continued:

“At the same time …” he said like somebody who could foresee a crossroads.

By Norm Frauenheim –

For now, the David Benavidez-Canelo Alvarez possibility isn’t about boxing. It’s about politics.

The debate goes on.

And on.

It also brings to mind an old line. To wit: You can’t play boxing. But you can play politics. Turns out, Benavidez is playing them very well.

In the ring, I’m not sure he could beat Canelo, at least not right now. But he’s winning the argument in terms of support that continues to grow in the wake of his unanimous decision over Caleb Plant on March 25 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

His performance was not his best. At the post-fight news conference, the Phoenix-born fighter said: “I could have done better.’’ His long-time fans have seen him better.

Since the 117-111, 116-112, 115-113 cards were announced, however, it’s become increasingly evident that the victory on Showtime was, far and away, his biggest. It boosted his celebrity and credibility like no other bout on his 27-fight resume.

It was also the latest step in his stubborn march forward, always forward. It affirmed his credentials in the ring and signaled some newfound power at the box office.

Who knows about the pay-per-view numbers? They don’t mean much anymore, not during an era when so many are armed with the decryption tech needed to rob the telecast.

But he and Plant did sell out 13,865 available seats at the Grand Garden Arena on a busy weekend in Vegas. The NCAA Basketball Tournament and Taylor Swift were in town.

Canelo and Eddie Hearn had long argued that Benavidez wasn’t worthy. They said he hadn’t fought anybody. It was another way of saying nobody really knew him. But that roaring crowd a couple of weeks ago said something else.

They do know him and they like what they see. Increasingly, they’re buying Benavidez and not the tired Canelo/Hearn argument. I’m not sure exactly what Hearn and Canelo will say next. But it might be hard to hear them

Even fighters, active and retired, are beginning to amplify the public sentiment. Ex-heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder, who was at ringside March 25, said Benavidez would be too big and strong for Canelo, the undisputed super-middleweight champion.

Then, there’s retired, multi-division champion Juan Manuel Marquez. He’s questioning his fellow Mexican legend publicly.

“I’m going to give my point of view: As champion I would show the world that, if Benavidez hasn’t had opponents like me, then it would be an easy fight, because I show that he is not an opponent that is at my level and I can beat him,’’ Marquez told Mexican media. “I am at a higher level and I will show you that you will not beat me.”

That, and more, sets the stage for loud echoes from Benavidez’ victory over Plant and his growing fan base on May 6 in Guadalajara, where Canelo fights John Ryder for his first bout in his homeland in more than a decade. 

A month before opening bell, the criticism is already there. But it’s short-sided. Amend that. It’s unfair.

Canelo, who hasn’t fought since a trilogy victory over Gennadiy Golovkin in September, is coming off surgery on his left wrist. He should test it in a tune-up. He’d be stupid if he didn’t.

But what happens after that is fair game. If all goes well against Ryder, Canelo is already on record as saying he’ll fight Dmitry Bivol next September in a rematch of Bivol’s stunning upset of him at light-heavyweight.

The Bivol plan is loaded with potential complications. It’s still not clear whether Canelo would fight him again at light heavyweight (175 pounds) or at super-middleweight (168). If it’s 168, Canelo’s titles would be at risk.

There’s a reasonable argument that Canelo can’t beat him at either weight. One-seventy-five or 168, Bivol will still be the much bigger man at opening bell.

At any weight, the bout would resurrect the argument about Bivol’s Russian citizenship. For as long as Russians are killing Ukrainians in Putin’s unprovoked war, Ukraine will demand that all Russian athletes be banned. 

Bivol – promoted by Hearn, who also promotes Ryder — was a gentleman with no political comments before and after his first fight with Canelo in Vegas.

Yet, the Ukrainians, including Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, condemned the decision that allowed him to fight. If there’s a rematch, further condemnation is sure to follow, especially in the wake of a World Boxing Council decision to ban Russians from its rankings.

Why risk the controversy and another loss to a Russian who wouldn’t bring as many fans as the unbeaten Benavidez, a Mexican American in perhaps the biggest Mexican American-versus-Mexican fight since Oscar De La Hoya-versus-Julio Cesar Chavez?   

It’s just another question. But if you’re taking a poll, the guess here is that the majority would say don’t take the risk. Just go straight to the Benavidez-Canelo option. More money, more interest, is there than in Bivol-Canelo. Barring a crazy miracle from Ryder, the belts would still be there, too.

“If he wants to go with Bivol, then I think what’s going to happen is, maybe — because I’ve been the mandatory for the past three fights for the WBC belt, I think maybe he’ll get stripped of that,’’ Benavidez, a former two-time WBC champion, said Wednesday on The DAZN Boxing Show. “And I was hearing some talk saying he might get stripped of the WBA belt, too, if he doesn’t accept a fight with me.

“If he doesn’t get in the ring, it might be me versus David Morrell or me versus (Jermall) Charlo for the WBC and WBA belt. So, even if you take Canelo out of the equation, these are still huge fights for me. This is still my dream I’m chasing after. The WBA belt is a belt I’ve never had. I want to get the WBC back again, so I’ll be three-time world champion.

“That’s really all I’m in it for, I’m looking for these belts. There’s big things on the way.’’

Call it a good political jab. It’s landing, landing in a big way.

By Norm Frauenheim –

David Benavidez gained name recognition and some first-time recognition in pound-for-pound ratings with his victory over Caleb Plant, but he has yet to move into Canelo Alvarez’ plans for at least the next year.

Alvarez, who picked Benavidez to beat Plant, remained unmoved about whether Benavidez would be an option in a year when he’s scheduled to face John Ryder and plans for a rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

“I don’t say no to any fight,’’ Canelo said during a media workout in San Diego Wednesday, four days after Benavidez’s unanimous decision over Plant at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. “But I have goals this year. Then, we’ll see.”

Benavidez continued to call out Alvarez after his 117-111, 116-112, 115-13 scorecard victory over Plant, who Canelo beat in an 11th-round stoppage in 2021.

Showtime, which televised Benavidez-Plant on pay-per-view, will replay the bout this Saturday (April 1, 11:05 pm ET).

“He has to give me that shot now,” Benavidez said after a victory for a so-called mandatory shot at Canelo, the super-middleweight division’s undisputed champion. “That’s what everyone wants to see.’’

However, Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) also conceded that Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs), boxing’s pay-per-view leader, has options. For now, at least, it sounds as if Benavidez won’t be one of them until next year.

If all goes according to plan for Canelo, he’ll come out his of tune-up against Ryder in hometown Guadalajara with his surgically-repaired wrist intact.

Then, he’ll face Bivol, perhaps in September in hopes of avenging his stunning loss by unanimous decision to the Russian light-heavyweight champion last May.

It’s still not clear whether Canelo would fight Bivol again at light-heavy, 175 pounds, or negotiate a deal to face him at 168, which would put his super-middleweight titles in jeopardy.

There’s widespread doubt about whether Canelo can beat Bivol at any weight. At opening bell, Bivol would still be the much bigger man, regardless of the weight class.

If Bivol takes his super-middleweight belts, the reason for a mandatory goes away.

Still, there’s a ripening rivalry between Benavidez and Canelo. Benavidez-Plant proved to be dramatic, mostly because of anticipation that was heightened by a constant stream of trash talk. It was over-the-top, often tiresome. But it worked.

Also, Canelo-Benavidez looms as perhaps the best fight in the Mexican-versus-Mexican American rivalry since Julio Cesar Chavez-versus-Oscar De La Hoya.

Canelo has been Mexico’s most popular fighter for more than a decade. Benavidez’ popularity among Mexican-Americans continues to grow. He grew up in Phoenix. A lot of people from his old westside neighborhood were in the MGM Grand crowd, a big part of a sellout on a busy Vegas night when Taylor Swift was in town.

Benavidez lives near Seattle now. But his Phoenix roots are evident. The desert city’s name was stitched across the back of his trunks against Plant.

Last May, there were doubts about the Benavidez-Canelo possibility. After Benavidez blew out David Lemieux last May in Glendale – a Phoenix suburb, his manager/promoter Sampson Lewkowicz said it would never happen.

“A fantasy,’’ Lewkowicz said then.

But Lewkowicz has changed his mind.

“I have, because I don’t think Canelo has anywhere else to go,’’ he said after Benavidez-Plant. “Ask the fans.’’

They spoke, spoke loudly last Saturday. Now they’re asking:

When?

Only Canelo can answer that one.

Canelo Alvarez
“The press conference in Guadalajara was an unbelievable moment for me because I saw my grandma, my dad, my mom, my brothers, my family there. A lot of media guys I saw when I started boxing. For me, I feel very proud and happy to bring this fight to Guadalajara and give the people some of the experience I have in other places as the best in the world.”

“I think it’s the perfect time. A long time ago I wanted to fight in Guadalajara, but I think this is the perfect moment, the perfect fight to bring to Guadalajara.

“I’m so excited to show everybody they’re wrong. I feel very good. I have a lot of years in my career; 17 years as a pro. I’ve had injuries too. I’m not at my best but I’m very motivated and I’m very happy to be in the gym, to train at 100 per cent, and they’re going to see what is coming. I’m very excited and motivated. Be careful with that.

“He [Ryder] has everything to win, nothing to lose, right? He’s always there, fighting with the good fighters trying to get that opportunity, and now he got it. It’s going to be a danger for me, but I feel good.

“It will be one of the best moments in my career for sure. The fight with Billy Joe Saunders in Dallas was amazing, one of the most enjoyable fights I’ve ever been in. I think in Guadalajara it will be the same or even more.”

John Ryder
“It’s a great opportunity that has not been gifted. I’ve worked hard at this for years. Like you said, I’ve suffered the highs, the lows, the bottom of the barrel, really. I’d like to take time to thank you, Saul and Eddie, for making this fight happen. Charlie, for working tirelessly back and forth with you to get the deal done. And three, it’s right what [Charlie Sims] said about my trainer Tony Sims, he can’t be here because of the schedule. 

“We’re all in big fights and Tony’s been a rock in my career and someone that’s brought me back from the bottom and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and I thank him for that. I also thank the family and friends, you, Charlie, for sticking by me and livening me up at times. Down to my mom and dad, my partner, and you know what, down to myself because if I give up on myself then I won’t be here. I’ve dug deep, I’ve done what I’ve had to do, I’ve worked hard to get back into this mandatory position, took the right fights at the right times, and I’m just really pleased to be here.

“Obviously the decision went against us in 2019, then the Covid times hit, which really messed everything up, but like you say, and I truly believe, timing is everything in this sport. It waits for no man, but the timing is right for me now.

“I’m not here for a holiday and I wouldn’t bring the team with me, have the team around me that I have if I didn’t believe I could win. I’m going, leaving no stone unturned, putting everything in this camp and truly believe I can come away victorious on May 6.”

Eddy Reynoso
“I’m super happy, proud to go back to the place, the home that made Canelo the boxer that he is and made me the trainer that I am. We are going to come back with our hand raised. We’re not going to let down, we’re not going to retire. It won’t be an exhibition fight, we’re going to return with all four belts that he came with, and that’s something that we’re going to do with pride. We also just really want to put on a good show for the fans.”

 “He had a great rehabilitation for his hand, and we’ve been working hard. He’s at 100% and this is going to be a huge 2023. He’s going to go up against lots of challenges this year in his career and we’re excited for what’s to come this year.”

“It’s going to be fantastic; it’ll be an entirely full stadium. There is a saying that ‘you aren’t always a prophet in your home’. Canelo will change that. He will be a prophet in his home, he will fill the stadium. I am very proud to return as winners outside of Mexico from all the fights we’ve had outside of Mexico, but we want to share it and we will share it with the people of Jalisco. We just hope the people enjoy having their champion home again.”

Eddie Hearn
“Thank you for joining us here today at the incredible Petco Park, home of the Padres in San Diego. And thank you for the incredible team for letting us host a very special and important press conference here. The first thing I thought when I walked around here was, wow, we must do a Canelo Alvarez fight here in the Petco Park stadium. It would be incredible. 

“But firstly, we have some very special business to take care of on May 6, Akron Stadium, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Canelo Alvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight world championship against John Ryder, live and exclusive on DAZN pay per view around the world, and we cannot wait. Sport is a business now, but this was something where business didn’t count. This was personal to Saul Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso. This was from the heart. This was an opportunity to bring an event back to his people. Regardless of the money, regardless of everything else, it was an opportunity to celebrate the sport, to celebrate his career in front of what will be 50,000 people in Guadalajara on May the 6th, Cinco de Mayo weekend. An event, an atmosphere that I believe you will not witness again in boxing. 

“The whole world will be watching as he defends his Undisputed Super-Middleweight world championship against this man, John Ryder, someone that we’ve worked with for over a decade. He’s paid his dues in the sport. He’s had his ups and his downs and now he’s on a big up. Victories over Danny Jacobs and Zach Parker made him the mandatory challenger, the interim world champion, and someone that will come to Guadalajara with every intention to win. With a big heart, with lots of strength, and a chance to make history for Great Britain and become the Undisputed Super-Middleweight champion of the world. 

“But in front of him, the biggest star in the sport of boxing, Saul Canelo Alvarez. The undisputed champion, someone that we’ve worked with for a long time, and I have seen fearless to challenges. There’s a lot of opinion in boxing, and what I see from Canelo and from Eddy Reynoso is a pure competitor. A winner, a legend of the sport, that he’s prepared to take on anybody. His last four fights have been unifying against Billy Joe Saunders, undisputed against Caleb Plant, stepping up in a fight that many say he shouldn’t have taken against Dimitri Bivol, and then Gennady Golovkin. The best resume in the sport of boxing, but now coming back off injury, still with a point to prove to some people, crazily, against a man that’s there to win it all on May 6. This is going to be a tremendous fight, a tremendous card, and I think that people here and particularly in Guadalajara should be very proud of Saul Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso for bringing this event to the people on May 6th live on DAZN. It’s going to be incredible.

Charlie Sims (manager of Ryder, and son of Ryder’s longtime trainer Tony Sims)
“It’s been a great experience doing this press tour. We had the pleasure of going to the stadium, look at the stadium, imagine the ring in the middle of the stadium, and what 50,000 are going to look like. It’s been great to spend some quality time with John as well just on this trip. One person I want to take this opportunity to thank who couldn’t be here because the schedules clashed was Tony Sims. 

“Tony Sims is a trainer with John Ryder, he’s dedicated years and years to the sport and years and years of developing John into the fighter he is today. They’ve been through all the lows together and now this is the pinnacle. He’s going to face the best in the division, the undisputed champion, Canelo Alvarez. I just want to take this opportunity again to thank everybody for making this event happen, but undoubtedly, we wouldn’t be here, me and John wouldn’t be here without Tony today, so I just want to take that opportunity to say thank you to him. And no doubt he is going to be extremely excited and extremely proud, come May 6 to face Canelo in the ring. He’s one of the best.”

An announcement on ticket sale dates will be made soon.

Saúl Canelo Álvarez will defend his Undisputed Super-Middleweight title against John Ryder at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday May 6, live around the world on DAZN and DAZN PPV in the U.S & Canada – the first time in over a eleven and a half years that Canelo has fought in Mexico.

Canelo (58-2-2 39 KOs) defends his Undisputed crown for the second time after beating bitter rival Gennadiy Golovkin in their trilogy battle in Las Vegas in September, having ripped the IBF crown from Caleb Plant in Sin City in November 2021 with an 11^th round stoppage.

The Mexican superstar will make an emotional return to his homeland for his latest Cinco de Mayo showdown, and it will be 4180 days since he last stepped through the ropes in Mexico, when he stopped Kermit Cintron in Mexico City in five rounds to defend his WBO World Light-Middleweight title.

The 32 year old four-weight World Champion fights for the 63^rd time of his storied career as he closes in on 18 years as a pro. Cinco de Mayo weekend will see him fight for the 35^th time in his homeland and it promises to be a spectacular occasion with the state of Jalisco marking 200 years of independence.

WBO mandatory challenger Ryder (32-5 18 KOs) will be looking to spoil the party, as the popular Londoner travels to Mexico for the biggest fight of his 12-year career. ‘The Gorilla’ landed the WBO interim title in his last fight when Zach Parker retired on his stool after four rounds of their clash in London, England in November. 

That win for the 34 year old followed a career-best victory earlier in 2022 over former Middleweight ruler and old Canelo foe Daniel Jacobs, with Ryder having also tackled three other Britons who have taken on the Mexican king, challenging Callum Smith for the Super-Middleweight World crown after fights with Billy Joe Saunders and Rocky Fielding.

“I feel really happy to be coming back in May because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I’d be coming back,” said Canelo. “Returning to the ring and coming back to fight in Jalisco, where I’m from, makes me especially happy. And in John Ryder, I’m facing a very competitive fighter.”

“There’s no denying that Canelo is one of the greats and I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s achieved in the sport but I fully believe this is my time fulfil my dream of becoming a World champion,” said Ryder.

“I’m not going over there for a holiday. For me this is purely business and my full focus is on going into his backyard in Guadalajara on May 6 and bringing those belts back with me to the UK. I want to thank the team, Tony and Charlie Sims and Matchroom Boxing for making this happen.”

“Canelo’s return to Mexico is historic for Mexican boxing,” said trainer Eddy Reynoso. “He is returning as an Undisputed champion, this is proof that a Mexican can succeed outside his country with discipline and love for his sport.

“I feel proud of all of this, because the dream of a kid who started in Guadalajara came true and he returns as a winner!”

“This is a moment that will be forever engrained in the history of boxing and Mexican sport,” said Eddie Hearn. “Canelo Alvarez defending his undisputed championship in his hometown in front of 50,000 fans will be an incredible sight and a night we will never forget. 

“In John Ryder, you have a mandatory challenger that has paid his dues and off the back of big wins against Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker is ready for the ultimate challenge. See you May 6 in Guadalajara for something very special, live on DAZN.”

“It doesn’t get bigger than Canelo in Mexico,” Joe Markowski, CEO North America, DAZN Group said, “Canelo returning home, John Ryder coming to spoil the party after big wins versus Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker in 2022; this has the makings of a classic. Tune in to this historic event live on DAZN around the world and in Mexico for the very first time.”

An announcement on ticket sale dates will be made soon.

By Norm Frauenheim –

It’s been called a fantasy by Sampson Lewkowicz, who has been hearing talk about David Benavidez-versus-Canelo Alvarez for a couple of years.

Lewkowicz, who called the Benavidez-Canelo possibility a fantasy after Benavidez’ blowout of David Lemieux last May, is still hearing the talk.

It’s been there, loud and repetitious on all of social media’s many platforms, for nearly as long as there’s been speculation about Terence Crawford-versus-Errol Spence Jr.

Crawford-Spence is still on boxing’s crowded fantasy island, seemingly in permanent residence since negotiations collapsed in October. Yet, the talk is still the buzz among exasperated fans hoping against hope that it’ll happen, maybe later in 2023.

Crawford-Spence is just the latest example of how fans never quit dreaming. Fighters fade away, but fantasies never do.

Chances of Benavidez-Canelo are still viable. But excuse Lewkowicz, Benavidez’ promoter/manager, if he remains skeptical. He’s forced to be, mostly because chances of a Benavidez-Canelo fight in 2023 appear to be somewhere between nil and zero.

“Canelo Alvarez’ legacy will be stained for the rest of his life,’’ Lewkowicz told the El Nuevo Herald, the Miami Herald’s Spanish-speaking newspaper. “They will ask him why he didn’t fight with Benavidez.”

Canelo enters the New Year in rehab from wrist surgery. At the earliest, his next fight – his first since a decision over Gennadiy Golovkin in September – is expected in May. Expect a tune-up, maybe against UK super-middleweight John Ryder.

If the wrist holds up, there are plans for a rematch against Dmitry Bivol, who upset Canelo in May and went on to win Fighter of the Year in a vote announced this week by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

If all goes well, Canelo-Bivol 2 could happen in September. But there’s a question: At what weight? Bivol beat Canelo at light-heavy. Canelo has reportedly said he wants the rematch to be fought at the same weight, 175 pounds.

But promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that the sequel could be at super-middleweight. Canelo holds all the relevant belts at 168, including the World Boxing Council’s version.

Benavidez, a former two-time WBC champion, has agreed to fight Caleb Plant in a bout that puts the winner in line for a shot at the WBC belt.

Benavidez is currently training in Seattle for Plant in a bout projected for late March. As of Thursday, however, no site or date had been announced

Let’s say Benavidez beats Plant. The unbeaten fighter from Phoenix is favored. FanDuel favors him this week at minus-195. He has about a 65-percent shot at beating Plant, who lost to Canelo in November 2021 and then displayed some eye-opening power in a KO of Anthony Dirrell in his last outing.

But here’s the question: Bivol has said he’d consider a rematch at super-middle instead of light-heavy. What if Bivol agrees to 168 and then beats Canelo for a second time? Move over Crawford-Spence. Make room on fantasy island for Benavidez-Canelo.

Benavidez-Bivol would be interesting. But it would leave fans demanding Benavidez-Canelo – a potential classic between a Mexican-American and Mexican — feeling unfulfilled all over again.

Lewkowicz was also asked about emerging super-middleweight David Morrell, a Cuban living and training in Minneapolis.

“Morrell also beats Canelo, 100 percent, just like Benavidez,’’ Lewkowicz said. “That’s why there is no such fight. Canelo is never going to fight with Morrell or Benavidez. Canelo is an underdog against Benavidez. On the other hand, there is no favorite against Morrell.

“Benavidez-versus-Morrell, that’s a tougher fight than Plant, including Canelo.’’

Don’t say he didn’t warn you.

LOS ANGELES (November 10, 2022) – Golden Boy Promotions has added another top prospect to its stable with the signing of Monterrey, Mexico’s Aaron Silva (10-0, 7 KOs). The 25-year-old Silva quickly became a prospect boogeyman, going toe-to-toe and outclassing previously unbeaten fighters. His latest victory was featured on DAZN when he secured a fourth-round stoppage of Alexis Espino on the undercard of Canelo vs. Bivol.

“I am very happy to begin a new stage in my career with my new promoter Golden Boy Promotions who presented the best plan to grow in the sport,” said Aaron Silva. “Infinite thanks to Oscar De La Hoya and Robert Diaz for this big opportunity and the entire team at Golden Boy, my manager Benjamin Rodriguez, my advisor Aldo Moran, my trainers, and for every person that has celebrated every victory with me.”

“Golden Boy has been in the boxing business long enough to see potential star power, and to develop fighters into powerhouses and world champions. We see elements of that hunger to be the best in Aaron Silva, and are excited to have him under our promotional banner to help foster his growth in the middleweight division,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya.

Born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Silva began boxing at 13-years-old with a total of 82 amateur fights and has won multiple Golden Glove tournaments. In Mexico, he was a regional champion from 2015-2019, a state champion from 2017-2019, and was a prospect for the Mexican Boxing Olympic Team. Combat sports is a family legacy, as Silva’s father was a world champion in Karate. Aaron Silva debuted worldwide on television on November 26, 2021 by defeating top prospect Raul Salomon via unanimous decision. He followed up with a splashy knockout win over Alexis Espino on the Canelo vs. Bivol undercard during Cinco De Mayo weekend. He is currently being trained by Arath Flores at Locos Por el Box in Monterrey, Mexico.

#

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy.

By Norm Frauenheim –

It was thoroughly forgettable. Thoroughly predictable, too.

Nothing that happened within the ropes during Canelo Alvarez’ decision over Gennadiy Golovkin in a third fight registered much more than a yawn on the wow meter.

It was simply a sign that it’s time to move on.

Turns out, only that sign is important, despite over-the-top promises that were part of a tireless sales pitch before opening bell. 

Question is, will boxing heed its warning? Sometimes, the business is the last to know. Increasingly, it’s becoming evident that fans suspected the bout was over-hyped, over-due and over-priced for a trilogy between fighters who were over-the-hill.

That’s the unmistakable message in the pay-per-view numbers reported a few days after DAZN’s live-stream of the bout last Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

There’s some debate about the numbers, just as there was some disagreement about the scorecards (115-113, 116-112, 115-113) in favor of Canelo. Long-term, doesn’t matter. Feigned outrage about the scoring margins doesn’t change the result. Canelo clearly won.

The subsequent debate about the pay-per-view reports don’t matter, either. The trend does. To wit: The public appeal for the red-headed Canelo, Spanish for cinnamon, is beginning to look a little Oxidado, rusty.

Dan Rafael’s Fight Freaks Unite reported that the pay-per-view stream generated between 550,000 and 575,000 buys in the United States. DAZN quickly countered, issuing a statement saying that it generated 1.06-million buys worldwide. 

The numbers are hard to confirm, especially in a live-stream era when the theft rate probably rivals the buy rate. Then, there are questions about who’s counting. And how they’re counting. But there’s no argument about the trend. It’s down.

The first two Canelo-GGG bouts were televised by HBO Pay-Per-View. The first, a draw in 2017, was reported to generate 1.3 million buys, all in the United States. For the second, a controversial Canelo victory by majority decision in 2018, 1.1-million was reported, also in the United States.

By either report this week – US or worldwide, it’s down. The message: It’s time to move out of the Canelo business and back into the boxing business.

There’s a whole new generation of young, promising fighters, desperate to get a share of the attention and financial pie.

A face of that generation is David Benavidez, the unbeaten super-middleweight from Phoenix. Mention Benavidez, and Canelo sneers the way that proverbial old man might when he tells someone to get the hell off his front lawn.

Canelo complains that Benavidez has accomplished nothing. Eddie Hearn, Canelo’s promoter for the third GGG fight, says the same.

I’m not sure they’ve been listening to the fans, or a growing number of fighters and cornermen. From Paulie Malignaggi to Roy Jones Jr., the fight to see is Benavidez-versus-Canelo.

For now, at least, it doesn’t look as if that’s going to happen. Canelo beat a 40-year-old in GGG Saturday. GGG looked old, fought old. But the 32-year-old Canelo didn’t exactly fight like a young man, either.

His fatigue midway through the fight was oh-so evident. A younger man, a 25-year-old Benavidez, might have walked through him at that point. Come to think of it, so too would a younger Golovkin, say the GGG of 2017 or 2018.

Canelo already concedes he’s dealing with injuries. His knees are problematic enough to limit his roadwork. He underwent knee surgery. That might explain why he tires after four-to-five rounds. Now, he plans to undergo surgery for an injury to his left wrist.

From wrist to knees, he’s beginning to display the symptoms of his many years in the ring. He’s beginning to look like an aging fighter, no matter how old he is.

A year off might allow him to restore his knees, rehab his wrist.

Ii might allow him to rekindle his passion for the blood, bruises, wear and tear.

Then again, it also might just convince him to stay on the golf course, his latest passion.

Meanwhile, Benavidez has to fight. There are plans, father-and-trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. says, for him to fight three more times at 168-pounds, super-middleweight. Whatever the weight, he can’t wait on Canelo. He has to move on.

Boxing would be smart to move on with him. Current numbers say that’s where the future is.

Matchroom and DAZN today announced that international recording artist, three-time Latin Grammy winner and one of Mexico’s biggest superstars Alejandro Fernández will accompany Canelo Alvarez to the ring as he heads into his final fight in the Canelo Alvarez v Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin Trilogy on Saturday, September 17 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  
 
Alejandro Fernández is the most successful Mexican performer in the history of Las Vegas. His shows in celebration of Mexican Independence Day (Sept 16) have spanned two decades and hundreds of thousands of fans. This year, Alejandro performed to a sold-out crowd on Thursday, September 15 at the MGM Grand Arena and will again this Saturday, September 17, following his historic ring walk. Tickets available here. 
 
Alejandro’s latest song, Nunca Dudes en Llamarme, reached number one on the US and Mexico radio charts this week. Song available here.
 
“This weekend is about coming together to celebrate Mexico, our culture, our music, and our sporting icons. For over 20 years, we have transformed Las Vegas into one massive celebration of Mexican Independence. It’s an honor to accompany my friend Canelo as he makes history tomorrow night. Que Viva Mexico!” – Alejandro Fernández
 
Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan) and is in partnership with Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions.
 
Additional information on the fight, undercards, and tickets can be found here.
 
For the latest news and events from Matchroom, please visit www.matchroom.com or follow along at @matchroomboxing.
 
###
 
ABOUT MATCHROOM BOXING 
Matchroom Boxing is the world’s leading boxing promotional outfit putting on major stadium and arena shows across the globe. Headed up by boxing supremo Eddie Hearn, Matchroom has been among the world leaders in major boxing promotion and production for over a quarter of a century since its launch in 1987. With an unrivalled stable of world-class fighters, Matchroom’s unique expertise in promotion, staging and television productions cements its position as the No.1 promoter in the sport.
 
ABOUT ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ 
Alejandro Fernández, three-time Latin Award Winner and son of legendary Vicente Fernández, has conquered stages around the world with his personal interpretation of mariachi / ranchero music. He is the first artist to achieve No. 1s on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums in the 1990s, ‘00s, ‘10s, and ‘20s. Alejandro is the most successful Mexican artist in Las Vegas history. He has headlined 20 years of sold-out shows during the citiy’s annual Mexican Independence Day celebrations.  In addition to his critical success, Alejandro has used his tours and music to raise funds in support of the Latino community. His current tour, Amor y Patria, is in support of Families Belong Together, to assist immigrant families separated at the US / Mexico border. Alejandro has also lent his populatiry in support of COVID-19 relief, out of work musicians during the pandemic shutdown, voter registration, and immigration reform. 
 
ABOUT DAZN
DAZN Group is one of the fastest growing sports media companies in the world. Headquartered in the UK and with employees in over 25 countries, our businesses touch every aspect of the way fans engage with sports; from production, through to content distribution and commercialization. DAZN Group is home to DAZN, the?leading global sport?destination, as well as the popular sport portal, DAZN News. DAZN is leading the charge to give sports fans around the world access to sport anytime, anywhere. DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles. DAZN is now live in more than 200 countries and territories after first launching in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Japan in 2016. Visit
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/d8b53458/uVS57KNyWkC3PrSmoY8jew?u=http://www.dazngroup.com/ for more information.

By Norm Frauenheim –

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin kept their cool under a hot desert sun Friday afternoon at a staged weigh-in.

It was more concert than conflict.

More of a festival than a fight.

Hostility was only there in the eyes and the words exchanged after both fighters stepped off the scale, each a fraction of a pound lighter than the super-middleweight maximum for their third fight Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

At a weigh-in behind closed doors a few hours before the show on the plaza outside of T-Mobile, Golovkin was at a career-high 167.8 pounds. Canelo, the undisputed defending super-middleweight champ, weighed 167.4.

On the scale, their obligations were met. In the ring, their promises remain to be delivered in a long-awaited, long-overdue bout (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) that figures to be the final punctuation point to a contentious rivalry.

Canelo (57-2-2, 39 KOs) has promised a stoppage. He says it will end within 12 rounds. The first bout in 2017 ended in a draw. The rematch in 2018 ended in Canelo winning a majority decision. Controversy has lingered ever since.

“Come on, if you guys are real boxing fans, you know who is the real champ,’’ said Golovkin (42-1-1, 33 KOs), a middleweight champion who is fighting at super-middle for the first time ever.

GGG has long argued that he won the first two. The question is whether he can deliver the proof. He’s 40, at least a couple of years past his prime. Canelo knows that.

At 32, Canelo is presumably still in his prime, although there were questions – still unanswered – left in the wake of only his second loss in his last outing against light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol.

He, too, has much to prove against a fighter who has angered him ever since he tested positive for clenbuterol before their 2018 fight. Canelo blamed the test on tainted beef.

GGG dismissed Canelo’s explanation, suggesting that was it was more like the manure produced by the beef.

Over the four years since their last fight, the two have never really settled the argument. It looks as if they’ll get a final chance to do so Saturday on DAZN pay-per-view ($64.99 for subscribers/$84.99 for non-subscribers).

A stoppage, perhaps, is the best way for Canelo to silence GGG, who says he saw nothing new in Canelo during their ritual face-to-face stare-down Friday.

“Maybe, he saw nothing new in my eyes,’’ Canelo said to a roaring crowd of his loyal fans Friday. “But he’ll see something new in the ring.’’

DAZN executives hope so. They have wanted the third fight for four years. They have invested in it heavily. The total purse is $65 million.  But there are questions about whether the fight is too far past its due date.There was a huge crowd on the plaza. for the staged weigh-in. As of Friday, however, the fight had yet to sell out.

By Norm Frauenheim–

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez says he’s happy to be back on what he calls the path to greatness, a destination that suddenly grew elusive in a stunning loss to Dmitry Bivol four months ago.

It’s still there, of course. Canelo has always talked about greatness as though it’s his destiny. Bivol was just like that bumper sticker. Bleep happens.

Canelo intends to leave it behind and resume his march on history in a long-awaited and long-overdue third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN pay-per-view bout.

Everything seems to say that a victory over Golovkin will happen. GGG is 40, the same age Manny Pacquiao was when his career ended against late stand-in Yordenis Ugas a year ago. Canelo is nearly a 5-to-1 favorite.

Nobody gives GGG much of a chance. Then again, few would have ever guessed that Albert Pujols would be closing in on the 700-home-run milestone at 42-years-old either. Remember, bleep happens. Maybe, GGG channels Pujols and hits a homer here. But don’t bet on it.

Expect a Canelo victory. But greatness is different. It’s not an expectation. It’s an argument. At least, it is amid all the talk before GGG and Canelo resume their contentious rivalry.

Canelo, still boxing’s undisputed box-office draw, stirred up controversy about a month ago when asked if he would fight fellow Mexican Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez if Ramirez beats Bivol on Nov. 5.

“I don’t want to fight Mexicans,’’ Canelo said. “I represent Mexico.’’

The comment has been repeated and interpreted. According to one interpretation, Canelo was really saying he wouldn’t fight David Benavidez. The problem with that one is that Benavidez is Mexican-American. He’s from Phoenix. Over the last couple of years, Benavidez has emerged as the one super-middleweight fans would like to see fight Canelo.

But Canelo has moved on to other challenges against other 168-pound contenders, including Callum Smith or Caleb Plant or Billy Joe Saunders. He’s also moved up the scale, beating former light-heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev and losing to Bivol. None of the moves have included Benavidez.

His comment about not fighting Mexicans, however, is just a further sign to Benavidez father-and-trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. that he never will.

Benavidez Sr. repeated what was said after David’s third-round blowout of David Lemieux last May in Glendale, Ariz. Then, Benavidez manager/promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told the media to forget about Canelo.

“Quit talking about David-versus-Canelo,’’ Lewkowicz said. “It’s fantasy.’’

In so many words, Jose Benavidez Sr. said the same thing four months later after a news conference Thursday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“It’ll never happen,’’ said Benavidez’ dad. who will be in Diego Pacheco’s corner for a super-middleweight bout against Enrique Collazo on Saturday’s undercard.

Then, Jose Benavidez had a lot more to say, suggesting that Canelo’s planned path to greatness can never happen without a fight against his son. The defining face of great in Mexican boxing is Julio Cesar Chavez.

Go to a barrio gym in Mexico or the United States. Chances are you’ll see at least one photo or poster of the legendary JCC. He’s the icon

“Julio Cesar Chavez became one by fighting everyone,’’ he said. “He fought Filipinos, he fought Americans. It didn’t matter. He fought everyone. Nationality didn’t matter. You only had to be a champion.

“There’s no other way to be great.’’

In partnership with global broadcaster of the fight DAZN and Joe Hand Promotions, the highly-anticipated Saul “Canelo” Álvarez vs. Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin III 12-round super-middleweight title clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, on Saturday, September 17, will be shown in Las Vegas at Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino, as part of the official watch party of Las Vegas, beginning at 5 p.m. PT.

Tickets to attend the official watch party and screening of the fight at Circa Stadium Swim are $75 for advanced sales and $100 day of event. Tickets can be purchased at CircaLasVegas.com.

Fans can chill in one of the six pools on three different levels for a perfect view of the massive 40-foot tall high definition screen. In addition to swim up bars and insta-ready selfie walls, you’ll find dozens of cozy day beds and private cabanas, plus hundreds of chaise lounges to soak up the sun and catch the most anticipated fight of the year.

Canelo and GGG fought twice before, with a 2017 fight for the unified middleweight championship ending in a controversial split draw. Álvarez won the rematch a year later by majority decision.

“The interest in this fight is at an all-time high,” said Joe Hand, Jr., President, Joe Hand Promotions. “We continuously look for new and engaging partners who look to expand their audience and provide an unbelievable experience for their guests. We’re grateful to DAZN and Circa for being able to come together to create this incredible way to watch Canelo and GGG.”

ABOUT JOE HAND PROMOTIONS

Joe Hand Promotions brings fan communities from mainstream sports and entertainment into the top corporate and independently owned bars and restaurants, theaters, casinos, and other commercial establishments to provide the best viewing experience outside of the arena.

As the commercial content partner for some of the nation’s top live-sports media properties, Joe Hand Promotions is the leader in the out-of-home live sports and entertainment media distribution industry. For over 50 years, Joe Hand Promotions has seamlessly connected commercial establishments with live sports, which has successfully driven traffic and increased revenues, time and time again. The Joe Hand Promotions team is more than the distributor, but also the advisor in this fast-growing industry. 

ABOUT DAZN

DAZN is the world’s leading sports entertainment platform. The only global digital sports broadcaster, DAZN is live in over 200 countries and is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialise, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.

ABOUT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO

“Circa Resort & Casino is an all-new integrated resort concept in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The city’s first adults-only casino-resort, the AAA Four Diamond Circa pays homage to Vegas’ Golden Era through vintage design, old-school hospitality and nods to the city’s history while introducing high-tech advancements and innovative amenities. The resort features upscale rooms and suites; the world’s largest sportsbook; Stadium Swim, a year-round pool aqua theater; a two-story casino; Garage Mahal, a high-tech transportation hub; the luxe Legacy Club rooftop lounge; an expansive local art collection and more. Guests can indulge at original restaurant concepts including premium steaks and seafood at Barry’s Downtown Prime from Chef Barry S. Dakake and Make It Happen Hospitality; Pan-Asian fare at 8 East from Chef Dan Coughlin; deli classics at Saginaw’s Delicatessen from restaurateur Paul Saginaw; authentic Carolina barbecue at Project BBQ; and all-star menus at Victory Burger & Wings Co. from the founding family of American Coney Island.”