Matchroom and DAZN are thrilled to announce a series of fight nights live from Mexico in partnership with Canelo Alvarez and Canelo Promotions and Eddy Reynoso and Clase y Talento. The first event in the new four-part Mexico series will see Julio Cesar Martinez defend his WBC World Flyweight title against Joel Cordova at the Domo Alcade – Code Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday, June 26. This follows on from DAZN and Matchroom’s game-changing five-year global deal announced last week underscoring a renewed, long-term investment by DAZN and Matchroom to take boxing to new global heights in countries around the world.
 
The June 26 fight night, as well as all three events from Mexico to follow over the next year, are in addition to DAZN’s current global boxing schedule and will all be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN – including Mexico, where fans can sign up for a monthly subscription at just 45 pesos a month. The broadcasts will be available in both English and Spanish, with the latter led by a dedicated on-air talent roster that will soon be unveiled.
 
Together with partners Canelo Promotions and Clase y Talento, Matchroom and DAZN will collaborate with the pound-for-pound king himself and his illustrious trainer to engage with passionate fans on-the-ground, showcase to the world the best in Mexican championship boxing, and discover and feature new talent from the proud boxing country.
 
“This is a great chance for Mexican fighters to follow their dreams,” said Canelo. “Sometimes our champions have to travel internationally to defend their belts and land opportunities. We plan on providing those opportunities in Mexico and giving young fighters the chance to develop and change their lives.”
 
“I am very proud to bring this exciting new project to Mexico and these new opportunities for our fighters,” said Reynoso. “There is so much talent in our country and these new shows will allow our champions to defend their belts on home soil and our prospects to get the chance to continue to grow.”
 
“This is such an exciting project and partnership, and I can’t wait to get started on June 26 and add even more action to the DAZN global schedule,” said Hearn. “It’s no secret that Mexico is blessed with boxing talent and passionate fans that truly embrace the sport. This new project will breathe new life into the sport in Mexico and give young fighters and champions the opportunity to flourish.”
 
“Last week, we announced as part of our game-changing global deal that DAZN and Matchroom will significantly invest in key markets around the world where there is extraordinary boxing fervor with regionally relevant events, partnerships, and content,” said DAZN Co-CEO James Rushton. “This new Mexico series builds on our growing momentum with Matchroom worldwide as well as long-time partners Canelo and Eddy Reynoso and together, we look forward to bringing more of the best Mexican boxing to fans locally as well as worldwide on DAZN.”
 
Martinez (17-1 13 KOs) puts his green and gold strap on the line for the third time to kick off the return of big-time boxing to his home country.
 
The Flyweight king was due to defend his strap on the undercard of Alvarez’s World Super-Middleweight title clash with Avni Yildirim in February, but a hand injury sustained in fight week robbed him of the chance to fight McWilliams Arroyo on the show.
 
Now the electrifying 26-year-old will top the bill in his homeland against Cordova (12-4-2 3 KOs), Martinez’s fellow Mexican fighting in his first World title fight, and ‘El Rey’ is excited to be fighting at home for a second fight in a row as he looks to build to becoming a unified champion at 112lbs.
 
“I am so happy to be able to fight again and make a much-anticipated comeback,” said Martinez. “I am even more excited to be able to fight in my home country of Mexico and defend my title here. I am very motivated to reignite my career on such a platform.”
 
“I’ve waited for this opportunity for so long that I won’t waste my chance to fulfill my dreams of becoming world champion,” said Cordova. “I want to thank Matchroom and my company BXSTRS for making my dream come true. Maybe I’m not known by many, but after June 26, many will know my name. I know Martinez is a solid champion, but strength is not the only thing needed to win, it requires motivation, desire and there’s no one who can beat me in those. I have waited my whole life for this moment.”
 
There’s more World title action on the night with Cuba’s Daniel Matellon (11-0-2 6 KOs) making the first defense of his WBA World Light-Flyweight title against Jose Argumedo (24-4-1 15 KOs) with Matellon being elevated to full champion after landing the interim title in February 2020.
 
Gabriel Valenzuela (23-2-1 13 KOs) looks to build on his impressive win in London, England over Robbie Davies Jr in February by defending the IBF Intercontinental Super-Lightweight title he won that night, there is a 12th pro-outing for rising Mexican-American starlet Diego Pacheco (11-0 8 KOs) and Christian Alan Gomez Duran (20-2-1 18 KOs) features on the card having recorded stoppage wins on two Canelo cards in December and May.
 
To become a subscriber, fans can download the DAZN app on any internet-connected device, including living room devices such as smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles as well as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. For more information, visit www.DAZN.com.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TANK Zach Parker is ready to explode back onto the scene and take on all comers across the 12st boxing battlefield.

The Derby bomber is preparing to return to war in July as he readies himself to capitalise on the WBO No.1 ranking he has earned over his 20 conflicts in the professional ranks.

The obvious target for his fistic grenades is the dominant three-belted world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who has embarked on a so far successful mission to completely unify the division.

Canelo, of course, has gunned down seven UK challengers over the course of his 59-fight pro journey to date, but Parker believes he possesses the ammunition to repel Mexican advances and succeed where British troops have been foiled in the past.

And he is planning to place himself on a war-footing with a show of force in London next month.

“Everybody is calling me a ‘Super Middleweight Tank’ so I have got to blast through everyone,” said the 27-year-old, who celebrated his birthday last weekend. “I need to deliver a performance that says ‘it is my time now’, 100%, and that is what I try to do in every fight.

“I want to make sure that I look the part in front of Frank (Warren) and all the fans who will be back by then. You have got to make statements and get people talking in boxing. There is no point being boring and knockouts are what I always aim for in every fight.

“I intend to put on a big performance in my next one and aim for a bigger fight by the end of the year. It is really good for me now after being inactive for a couple of years, now Frank has put me out there. It is what I have been waiting for and I thank him for it.”

In more recent times, Rocky Fielding, Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders have had a tilt at Canelo within the super middleweight limit, while Parker remains last man standing and undamaged goods awaiting his slot for a shot at the flame-haired phenomenon.

“That’s it, I am the undefeated one in Britain now and if it came to that fight I know I can give him a lot of problems and that is what I plan to do. He is obviously looking for the Caleb Plant (IBF champion) fight at the moment, but I am here waiting and ready.

“Now I have got the big promoter behind me it should be easier to make and I will do it whenever.”

From Matthew Hatton – who was the first from these shores to succumb to Canelo in 2011 – to Saunders a matter of weeks ago, Parker suspects that none of the seven vanquished Brits carried enough one-punch clout to stem the flow of one-way punching traffic.

“No, not really, you could make a case for Callum Smith, but I have got the worst style for Canelo with being a switch-hitter who can bang with both hands. Everyone who fights or spars me says they have never been hit as hard before and Canelo would be in for a rude awakening if we do fight.

“The others who have taken him on use a lot of different shots, but mine is one-shot power. I have got power like Deontay Wilder, that one-punch KO sort of power. I can knock anyone out.

“You can’t just keep running from Canelo, you’ve got to hit him and keep him occupied. If you don’t hit him back and get his respect he will keep just walking you down. That is what he did to Billy Joe and the others in the end and I wouldn’t allow it.”

Should Canelo, indeed, be engaged in September and Parker is confined to the waiting room, there are several targets on the home front he would happily point his tank at.

“There are a few out there and I want to be a bigger name in Britain so any of Rocky Fielding, John Ryder, Chris Eubank – any of them! I just want to keep myself out there and be busy.

“Those fights could be made easily and I would win easily as well.

“They wouldn’t be able to live with the power. I have knocked out 14 of my opponents and hurt the rest. If you look at the names I’ve mentioned, none of them are big punchers and are all little pot-shotters who I am sure I could overpower.

“Now I have turned 27 I am coming into my prime so it is the right time for me to get these big fights. With Frank and all my team behind me that is what we are going to do. We will take it a fight at a time, but hopefully the big ones get made soon.”

Zach Parker returns to action on July 10th at the Royal Albert Hall and said: ““I’m looking forward to getting back out on July 10^th and delivering another exciting performance and another explosive knockout live on BT Sport.”

By Norm Frauenheim-

Canelo Alvarez’ pursuit of unification is about more than just belts. It’s about consensus.

Canelo, fresh off his stoppage of Billy Joe Saunders Saturday, figures to win the fourth and final piece to the super-middleweight title in a projected bout against Caleb Plant.

Contracts have yet to be signed, but betting odds already have been posted.

Canelo is at -600, meaning he has an 85.71-percent chance at taking Plant’s IBF version of the 168-pound title in a fight expected to happen in mid-September.

Las Vegas looks likely, perhaps at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 11, two nights before the Raiders opener against the Baltimore Ravens Monday Night Football and five days before Sept. 16, Mexican Independence.

The Raiders’ new home is booked Saturday, Sept. 18, with college football, Iowa State-versus-UNLV.

Where ever or whenever, indoors or outdoors, it’s clear Canelo belongs on the biggest possible stage. Against Saunders on the Cowboys home field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX, a crowd of 73,126 set boxing’s indoor record.

His popularity is growing. Canelo is boxing’s biggest draw. No doubt about it. Meanwhile, odds are that soon it’ll be hard to argue with his dominance of the super-middleweight division. David Benavidez might have one and it’s a good bet that we’ll hear it more than once. If Canelo takes that fourth belt, however, he wins the debate.

But consensus is not as simple. Polls never are, and there have been plenty lately about where Canelo belongs, both today and among Mexico’s all-time greats.

Canelo continues to say he wants to make history. Mexico’s boxing history means one face: Julio Cesar Chavez. In a Boxing Junkie poll last week, Canelo was fourth, behind Ruben Olivares, Salvador Sanchez and – of course — Chavez at No. 1.

Over time, the theory is that Canelo might one day supplant Chavez. There are plenty of factors. First, he has to beat Plant, which might not be as much of a lock as early odds suggest. Then what? A fight against a still-maturing Benavidez? A jump to light-heavyweight, which would mean Artur Beterbiev and/or Dmitry Bivol?

Time is still Canelo’s ally. He’s 30. He says he might fight for seven more years. That’s a span that offers countless opportunities to fight major bouts before huge crowds. Think of it as a political campaign. Each bout is a way to eliminate rivals and convince skeptics.

In effect, that’s exactly what Canelo has been doing in that other debate, the current pound-for-pound race. Six months ago, the argument raged. Canelo or Terence Crawford?

Crawford looked good in a stoppage of former champion Kell Brook on Nov. 14. Crawford’s body-of-work, his overall resume, is dismissed by critics, who question the quality of his opposition.

But Crawford’s supporters are impressed by the immediate, the eye test that seems to say that nobody at 147 pounds could beat Crawford’s thorough skillset and predatory instinct.

Trouble is, there’s been no test for any eye to measure since Crawford’s victory over Brook six months ago. There was talk about Manny Pacquiao. Rumors, only rumors.

Crawford has been idle.

Meanwhile, Canelo has been busy, fighting three times – a unanimous decision over Callum Smith on Dec. 19, a stoppage over Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 and a stoppage of Saunders on May 8.

Busy is convincing, especially in a pound-for-pound campaign that is essentially political. It’ll continue. It always does. Maybe, Crawford gets a chance to re-state his case in a fight against the Josh Taylor-Jose Ramirez winner May 22 in an intriguing junior-welterweight showdown (ESPN) at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotels. There’s talk that the winner will make the jump, from 140 pounds to 147, for a shot at Crawford.

For now, however, Canelo is winning the debate in a couple of ways. There are notable victories within the ropes. And huge crowds outside of them.

Super-Middleweight Zach Parker insists he will be more than up for the task of toppling Canelo when his shot comes around and says the Mexican superstar will never have been in with a ‘tank’ like him.

The 20-0 Derby banger burned the midnight oil in the early hours of Sunday morning taking in the unification battle between Canelo and British WBO belt holder Billy Joe Saunders, a clash which came to a close after eight rounds due to eye socket damage inflicted on the two-weight world champion.

The previously unbeaten Saunders was always going to have a big job on his hands against the supersized multi-weight champion and, as suspected, elusivity could not trump raw power in Texas.

However, Parker feels Saunders gave a good account of himself at the home of the Dallas Cowboys and exposed a few minor discomforts in his celebrated opponent.

“I thought it was a good fight and Billy did a lot better than I thought he would, but size was obviously against him at super middleweight,” considered the 26-year-old ranked at No.1 by the WBO. “He did show that Canelo still doesn’t like southpaws and movers.

“I had it at almost level before it was stopped. Hopefully he has a speedy recovery.

“I said to a lot of people that it would be a better fight than the Callum Smith one because Smith hasn’t got the movement or slickness. He stands there in front of you where he can hit and be hit. He waited for punches and tried to come back but you can’t do that with Canelo because you’ve got to have that movement and make it awkward for him.”

Parker confirmed that he viewed the fight through professional eyes with a focus on what he would do if he gets to share a ring with the mighty Mexican. He insists he would bring size and power to the party.

“I watched closely and if Billy Joe had a bit more size on him and a bit more punching power he could have done even better. With extra power he could have kept him off a bit and made it a different fight.

“You need that power at this weight. You can box, but that won’t take you the whole way, you need to hurt and push him back a bit.

“Billy’s punching power wasn’t bothering him at all and he was just walking through it. He got him in the end.

“That is what I am looking at myself. I am a lot bigger than both of them at 6ft 2” and I am still growing as a lad. I am a tank at super middleweight and when I punch I make sure it hurts them, I’m not gonna be tip-tapping or nothing like that.

“I have said it to a lot of people because they don’t know what I’ve done with coming under the radar a little bit, but my trainer will tell you I hit like a heavyweight.

“I am just going to keep getting my wins up, keep getting my name out there more so I can get in with these bigger names. If people don’t know who you are they will not put a lot of money up for fights, so I need to keep pushing my case.”

So is the key to overcoming Canelo throwing bombs and being prepared to go to war?

“Yeah and be slick with it, but when you do hit him you have to make it count. Every shot counts when you are in with Canelo. You have to have that bit of spite behind you and not just tap him.

“I am more confident over my chances, especially after the other night. Most super middleweights are not as slick as me and I’ve got a really awkward style with being a switch-hitter. Watching that made me a lot more confident because I could see holes. He doesn’t like people moving and likes people to stay in front of him like Callum Smith did.

“I ain’t gonna stand there and just trade with him, I can box and then trade when I want to trade. Stick and move, that is what you’ve got to do. Tactical warfare.”

Parker knows that, despite his top of the charts status with the WBO, his name is not in the frame and he is likely not head of the queue for a tilt at the 30-year-old veteran of 59 professional fights, who weighed in at under 10 stone for his debut back in 2005.

The now WBC, WBA and WBO champion wants to complete the jigsaw by adding the IBF belt to finalise his domination of the division, so Parker will have to bide his time and top up his experience for if Canelo retains possession of his titles.

“Yeah he wants the Caleb Plant fight, which will be a hard one as he’s not going to just stand there either because he is a slick boxer. I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing, keep getting my resume up against top fighters and wait for my time.

“They don’t want to put it on the line for nothing, they want the big name fights, so I’ve got to get my name bigger and keep making noise here in Britain.”

And when his time does come, Parker knows just the place where he would like it to happen and intends to avoid being the eighth Brit to take an ‘L’ to the same man.

“It would be amazing if he wants to fight in England and, if he did want that, Frank is the man to make it happen. Pride Park would be filled out and they would love it.

“He has beaten seven already, but he ain’t boxed Zach Parker yet! A different sort of boxer.

“I wouldn’t be towing the line wherever we fight. People think you’ve got to go over there and thank him, whereas I would go over to take what I have been working for all my life. I would be the same as Billy in that I wouldn’t go over and give him all this respect.

“I would respect him as a boxer but that is where it stops and you’ve got to do your own thing. You can’t be thankful for the opportunity, you’ve got to take it for yourself.”

Canelo Alvarez looked befuddled at times, but he turned it on in round eight, and stopped Billy Joe Saunders after that frame to retain the WBA/WBC and win the WBO Super Middleweight title from Billy Joe Saunders in front of an American indoor record of 73, 126 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Alvarez came out landing thudding power shots against the slick jabbing Saunders. Saunders found a rhythm in the middle frames as he was able to get his jab and uppercuts working he began to give the Mexican icon problems.

With the fight seemingly close, Alvarez stepped on the gas in round eight, as he got back to landing hard punches, which included a uppercut that caused the right eye to close. After the round, Saunders was distressed by the eye and his corner pulled the plug on the fight.

Alvarez, 167.4 lbs of Guasalajara, Mexico now owns three of the four recognized titles and will to become undisputed with a proposed Fall showdown with Caleb Plant. Alvarez is now 56-1-2 with 38 knockouts. Saunders, 167.8 lbs of Hatfield, UK is 30-1.

Soto stops Takayama; Retains Light Flyweight title

Elwin Soto made the third defense of the WBO Light Flyweight title with a controversial ninth-round stoppage of former world champion Katsunari Takayama.

Soto dominated by landing the harder punches; Takayama kept himself in the bout by landing some nice flurries throughout.

In round nine, Soto was landing some good power shots, but Takayama was throwing back, but for some reason, referee Laurence Cole stepped in and stopped the bout with both guys in mid-flurry at 2:44.

Soto, 107.8 lbs of Baja California, MEX is 19-1 with 13 knockouts. Takayama, 107.6 lbs of Osake, JAP is 32-9.

Cissokho survives knockdown; Decisions Conway

Souleymane Cissokho won a 10-round split decision over Kieron Conway in a super welterweight fight.

In round four, Conway began leaking blood from his nose.

In round nine, Conway dropped Cissokho with hard uppercut to the face.

Cissokho landed 115 of 539 punches; Conway was 84 of 403.

Cissokho won by scores of 96-93 and 95-94 while Conway somehow got a card 97-92.

Cissokho, 153.6 lbs of Bagnolet, FRA is now 13-0. Conway, 154 lbs of Northampton, UK is 16-2.

Sanchez wins Technical Decision over Aguilera

Frank Sanchez remained undefeated with a technical unanimous decision over Nagy Aguilera when Aguilera could not continue after getting hit behind the head in the 6th round of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

Sanchez dominated the fight, and in round six, Sanchez landed a shot that scraped the back of Aguilera’s head that sent him down. He could not continue and the fight went to the judges scorecards, which all read 60-54 in favor of Sanchez.

Sanchez landed 81 of 240 punches; Aguilera was 32 of 181.

Sanchez, 237 lbs of Guantanamo, CUB is 18-0. Aguilera, 238.2 lbs of Houston, TX is 21-11.

Marc Castro remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Irving Castillo in a lightweight bout.

In round one, Castillo began to bleed from the nose. In round four, Castro dropped Castillo, and the fight was stopped at 2:04.

Castro, 132 1/4 lbs is 3-0 with three knockouts. Castillo is 9-2.

Keyshawn Davis remained perfect with a six-round unanimous decision over Jose Antonio Meza in a junior welterweight bout.

Davis, 138 lbs of Norfolk, VA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 3-0. Meza, 138 lbs of Gomez Palico, MEX is 6-5.

Christian Gomez Duran stopped Xavier Wilson in round two of their scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Duran dropped Wilson with a hard over rand fight and the fight was stopped.

Duran, 147 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 20-2-1 with 18 knockouts. Wilson, 147.8 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 11-3-1.

Kelvin Davis survived a last minute knockdown, but still hung on to win a four-round unanimous decision over Jan Marsalek in a welterweight bout.

Davis was breezing along until he ate a overhand right that sent him to the canvas. Davis was hurt, but time ran out for Marsalek.

Davis, 143.8 lbs of Norfolk, VA won by scores of 38-37 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Marsalek, 144.4 lbs of Czech Reoublic is 8-3.

First Bell – 4.35pm CT

LIVE ON BEFORE THE BELL ON THE MATCHROOM YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

4 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest

Kelvin Davis 143.8lbs  vs      Jan Marsalek 140.4lbs
Norfolk, VA                              Pardubice, Czech Republic

Followed by

8 x 3 mins Welterweight contest

Christian Alan Gomez Duran 146.4lbs    vs.     Xavier Wilson 147.8lbs
Guadalajara, Mexico                                            San Antonio, TX

Followed by

6 x 3 mins Lightweight contest

Keyshawn Davis 138lbs        vs.     Jose Antonio Meza 138lbs
Norfolk, VA                                        Gomez Palacio, Mexico

Followed by

6 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest

Marc Castro 132.4lbs  vs.     Irving Macias Castillo 127.6lbs
Fresno, CA                             Monterrey, Mexico

MAIN CARD LIVE ON DAZN FROM 7PM CT

10 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest

Frank Sanchez 237.6lbs        vs. Nagy Aguilera 238.2lbs
Guantanamo, Cuba                       Houston, TX

Followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title

Kieron Conway 154lbs          vs.     Souleymane Cissokho 153.6lbs
Northampton, UK                               Bagnolet, France

Followed by

12 x 3 mins WBO World Light-Flyweight title

Elwin Soto 107.8lbs     vs.     Katsunari Takayama 107.6lbs
Baja California, Mexico            Osaka, Japan

Followed by

12 x 3 mins WBC, WBA Super, WBO and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight unification

Canelo Alvarez   167.4lbs    vs.     Billy Joe Saunders 167.8lbs
Guadalajara, Mexico                        Hatfield, UK

By Norm Frauenheim-

Canelo Alvarez’ evolution continues, proceeding incrementally with stubborn attention to detail. He never quits learning, which helps to explain why he never quits improving.

It also explains why he’s a 7-to-1 favorite over unbeaten Billy Joe Saunders Saturday (DAZN/8 pm ET, 5 pm PT) in a bid to win another piece of the super-middleweight title on the Dallas Cowboys homefield in Arlington, Tex.

A few years ago, those odds wouldn’t have been so one-sided. Then, Canelo (55-1-2, 37 KOs) looked to be vulnerable to the slick sort of skillset possessed by the left-handed Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs).

There were moments when Canelo looked confused in a unanimous decision over Austin Trout in 2013. About a year later, he escaped with a split-decision over Erislandy Lara. In between Trout and Lara, there was a one-sided loss delivered by the masterful Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Lessons, each and every one, for the student in Canelo.

His career has unfolded like one long lesson-plan. Potential for some new move or tactic is always there. For Saunders, it’s reason to be wary. For everybody else, it’s something to respect. Canelo learns and never forgets.

He introduced some head movement a few fights ago. Now, he has begun to master the head games that precede any significant fight. In terms of public interest, Canelo-Saunders looks to be a biggie.

A crowd of more than 60,000 is projected, which would break the Texas-sized record of 59,995 at San Antonio’s Alamodome for the controversial Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez draw in September 1993.

For the last week, it’s been evident that Saunders has tried to distract Canelo. That’s hard to do. In the eight years since Mayweather, only Gennadiy Golovkin has managed to rattle the impenetrable calm that seems to surround Canelo like a fortress. There were words at news conferences and shoving at the weigh-in before their 2018 rematch.

Saunders tried to land a psychological punch. He and his father, Tom Saunders, issued a series of complaints. They grumbled that Eddie Hearn, Saunders longtime promoter, was favoring Canelo. They complained about the assignment of judges. Not one is from the UK, Saunders’ home country. Not one is from Mexico, Canelo’s home country, either.

On and on, it went.

Finally, Saunders complained about the size of the ring, saying he wouldn’t fight in one measuring 18-feet-by-18 feet. Hearn said he assured him that the ring would be 20-by-20. Saunders, who might need every available inch of canvas to elude Canelo, demanded 24-by-24. He and his dad also threatened to withdraw if the demand wasn’t met.

Hearn countered: How about 22-by-22? OK, Saunders said. But this tale of the tape still needed Canelo’s approval.

No problem, Canelo said.

From a man known for his lethal counter-punching, it was brilliant. Ring size wasn’t ever the real issue, anyway. Guess here: This fight could be in a ring as big as an aircraft carrier. Canelo will beat Saunders.

In a fight before the fight, Canelo ended the head games, quickly and quietly, this time with some smart head movement.

He disarmed Saunders, who was left with nothing else to say. It looks as if Canelo’s life-long lesson plan included a course in psychology. He aced that one too.

Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders are set to smash the record for the biggest indoor attendance for a boxing event in America as they prepare to meet in a Super-Middleweight unification battle at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday May 8, live worldwide on DAZN and distributed by TV Azteca in Mexico and Latin America.

LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN ON SALE AT SEATGEEK.COM

Alvarez and Saunders already broke the pre-sale records for their clash on Saturday night and with over 65,000 tickets now sold with limited remaining, their tasty battle is set to overtake the rematch between Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans in 1978 that drew 63,352 fans.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has been the driving force behind some of the biggest crowds in British boxing history, starting with Carl Froch and George Groves at Wembley Stadium in London, and then Heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua OBE filling the same stadium against Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin and also the Principality Stadium in Cardiff against Joseph Parker and Carlos Takam – and Hearn is thrilled to be putting boxing under the best of spotlights on Cinco de Mayo weekend.

“It’s one of the biggest events I’ve ever been involved in and this morning, we officially broke the record for the biggest indoor crowd in American boxing history,” said Hearn.

“We will have 70,000 people in the AT&T Stadium on Saturday night – I am absolutely buzzing for this, I think this could be the best atmosphere we’ve ever seen.

“The numbers for this fight are tracking great, and I think that this is just great for everyone – the biggest live event since the pandemic struck, and boxing has done that. It just shows that when you get it right, we have a monstrous sport on our hands.

“Boxing is being showcased on Saturday. We can be as proud as peacocks on the night as everyone around the world will be watching, they will see the atmosphere and say ‘wow, this is boxing!’ People have to tune in to watch this atmosphere and product and say, ‘this is the place to be’. And everyone watching on Saturday will be in awe of it – the event, the fight, the ring walks, everything.  

“I’m excited for Billy to be able to go out there and show what he’s said he’s always been able to do, and I am excited for Saul because the atmosphere for him is going to be incredible – so may the best man win.”

Alvarez and Saunders clash on a huge night of action in Texas with a stacked undercard in support of the mammoth main event, with Elwin Soto (18-1 12 KOs) defending his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs).

Kieron Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) defends his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs), Eddy Reynoso trained Cuban Heavyweight Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) meets Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs), Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) fights on his third Canelo undercard, Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds and it’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, with Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) celebrating Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

Canelo Alvarez
 
“I feel really thankful with the response of the people and that boxing is a sport that brings everything back to normal. I’m ready for this fight.”
 
“He’s a great fighter, he has a lot of ability and he’s a southpaw. I’m not the same fighter I was six or seven years ago, this Saturday I will show that.”
 
“I’ve been involved in a lot of big fights and this is just another day at the office. I come to win, like I said boxing is my life and I come here to win.”
 
Eddy Reynoso
 
“It’ll be a great fight, two of the best middleweight fighters in the world in front of 70,000 people – especially after the pandemic. It gives me a lot of joy and honour to be there as a Mexican in the ring.”
 
“He’s a great fighter, he’s a two-time champion for a reason. He has a good trainer, he knows how to defend, he moves around really well. We know it’s going to be a good fight on and off the ring.”
 
Billy Joe Saunders
 
“I’ve been boxing all my life, I’ve been boxing since I was five years old, I’ve dragged up – on the gypsy camps. We can all have the rough, tough talk growing up as kids. I’m here for a reason, there’s no other reasons for me to be here apart from to win. Not about fame or anything else, to win.
 
“I don’t think we’ve had somebody come to win for a very long time. We’ve had a lot of people turn up, collect cheques and fly out but we haven’t had the heart, soul and IQ that I’ll bring to the ring on Saturday night to win.
 
“I can’t talk what he’s done down, he’s done brilliant things for boxing. He’s a good champion but like I said, there’s a time in life where you get tested, sometimes when you forget where come from and forget all those hard things that’s brought you to where you’re at sometimes that can make it difficult on yourself. I think he’s going to be bumping into the wrong man Saturday night to be going home with titles. I’m looking forward to a very good fight but most definitely the win.
 
“I think I’ve been up against the crowds before; I’ve travelled as an amateur to the Olympics game at 18, there’s no bigger pressure on someone’s shoulders when they’re stepping in front of millions of people there.
 
“There’s added pressure coming for both of us for this fight because both of us don’t want to go home the loser. At the end of the day, half the Mexican people like him, half don’t, so hopefully half that don’t like him will be supporting the Gypsy boy, we’ll get it rocking and rolling. This is for all the Gypsies back home, everyone in the UK, plus half the Mexicans, get behind me.”
 
Tom Saunders
 
“He’s been boxing since he was five years old, he’s amateur pedigree is second to none. Everything is there and we’re ready for the job.
 
“This is what we’ve been waiting for, he’s trained all his life for it. We’ve left no stone unturned and on fight night you’re going to see something special. There’s only one winner, that’s Billy Joe Saunders.
 
“I’ve been speaking to a lot of people back home and the UK’s right behind him. There’s a lot of gypsy magic in this fight, there’s a spell been cast so we’ll definitely see something special.”
 
Elwin Soto
 
“I’m very happy for this opportunity, he’s a really good fighter and we’re going to come out here and try to do a good job.”
 
“It’s a great emotion inside, it’s a great opportunity that was given to be and I have to take advantage. I’m very happy inside.”
 
“I want to come out victorious this Saturday and after that maybe think about unify at 108 pounds and continue to move forward.”
 
Katsunari Takayama
 
“First of all, thank you for giving me this great opportunity. On Saturday, I look forward to giving back the title from two different divisions.
 
“Soto is a very angry and aggressive fighter, very strong punches. I’m ready to fight on Saturday.” 
 
Kieron Conway
 
“If I didn’t believe I could win I wouldn’t be here. It’s good to finally be here, it took a long time to get that visa – I didn’t think it was going to happen. If anything, it’s made it better for me, we’re getting the job done, looking to put in a decent performance on Saturday night and really impress.
 
“That’s what it’s all about, taking the opportunity. I’m not nervous yet, this is my job – it’s boxing. I’ve got nothing to be nervous about, this is what dreams are. I came from small hall boxing, making no money when I was fighting, sometimes even losing money to fight.
 
“Now I’m here, there’s no pressure on me, I’m here to put on a real solid performance on and come out with the win. I’m excited and ready to go.
 
“All those guys are looking for the right route, the easy route, the one they think is comfortable. Including Ted with Metcalfe, it is what it is with that fight. I’m here to test myself, Soule is a very good fighter, I’m here to show I’m the best of that division.”
 
Souleymane Cissokho
 
“I’m very excited, I take this fight very serious. I know he’s a good fighter, he’s confident so I’m ready to go.
 
“We had good preparation for this fight, a good camp, the sparring was good. Josh is ready, more than ready for his next fight. I’m ready to go for Saturday and next for Josh.
 
“In front of 70,000 people, that’s amazing. This is a big blessing for me, this is a huge card and I’m very happy to be here. My first international belt on the line, that’s very good for me – I’m more than ready.”
 
Marc Castro
 
“All I can say is, I’ve been blessed. I had a lot of major setbacks in 2020 but to be on my third Canelo card I feel like this is all God’s plan all along.
 
“I feel good with this opponent, it’s a major step up – I feel like we had lost ground from my last fight but I’m happy with this opponent. I work hard every fight so it’s going to show.”
 
Frank Sanchez
 
“Truth is, I’ve come to do my job. I want to show everything but I’m going to do my fight and if the knockout comes, it comes.
 
“I feel really happy with the preparation, everything come out okay and I’m happy with the work we’ve done.
 
“I feel ready to face them whenever that happens, whenever it is, when it happens, I’ll come out, do my job – I feel ready for anything right now.”
 
Nagy Aguilera
 
“It’s a huge opportunity for me, I’ve been training really hard. I was training for another fight, but it got cancelled twice. Three weeks out they call me, and I really liked this fight. I stayed in shape and accepted the fight – I really like this match.
 
“This is a good opportunity, he’s a good fighter – top of the world right now. This will change my whole career and life. I’m been training, I’ve been doing my thing, I’m healthy and I’ll have to do what I have to do.”
 
Keyshawn Davis
 
“I’m glad I’m back here, with DAZN, makes me feel like I’m at home for some reason. I appreciate the love you’ve been showing me and my brother – life is great right now.
 
“I feel like my major statement is going to be this Saturday. I want to show my comfortability in the ring, I want to show that I’m progressing each fight. I’m pretty sure I’m going to show that this Saturday.
 
“I want to start looking like a real professional fighter in there only going six rounds. I want to show these top guys right now that Keyshawn Davis is here, he’s coming and he’s on your heels.
 
“Kelvin’s a great fighter, he’s 1-0 fighting a fighter who’s 8-2. I feel like that speaks a lot about him, I feel like Kelvin is going to shock a lot of people. He’s 6’0, 140, southpaw, lengthy, power, strength, he really has everything I have except from the big opportunities that I had. Now he’s got one this Saturday and I feel like he’s going to show everything he can come to the table with.”
 
Kelvin Davis
 
“This is a really big for me. I’ve been fighting all my life for an opportunity like this, so I’m really blessed for the opportunity. This is my time to showcase my talent and what I can really do.
 
“We competed in any sport we played before we got into boxing. When we got into boxing and fighting, we pushed each other, competed at home, just got each other better – mentally stronger and physically stronger to be able to fight on a stage like this.”
 
Christian Alan Gomez Duran
 
“Truth is, it’s a great opportunity and I want to thank you for allowing me to be on this card. I’m going to give it my all on Saturday, show all the preparation that’s gone in and hopefully have a good result.
 
“The plan for me is to do as much as I can in boxing and if there’s something more than being the champion of the world, we’re going to work towards achieving that as well.”

Billy Joe Saunders says he has the boxing brain to dethrone pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez in their blockbuster Super-Middleweight unification battle on Saturday night (May 8), live worldwide on DAZN and distributed by TV Azteca in Mexico and Latin America.

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Unbeaten Briton Saunders (30-0 18 KOs) puts his WBO strap on the line for the third time against the Mexican star and is aiming to add the WBC and WBA Super belts held by the Mexican sensation.

Saunders has been widely regarded as having the ring smarts to be the man to hand Canelo a first defeat in eight years and be the man to take the next step to being undisputed at 168lbs – and the 31 year old says fighting Canelo on Cinco de Mayo weekend holds no fear.

“This fight is all about the brain,” said Saunders. “Not about power, muscle or skill, it’s the brain and the game plan, and being able to execute that game plan.

“I brush opinions off because I know what goes through my head and my mind, and what I have done in my career is through the will and want to win, and the day I lose that, I won’t put a pair of gloves on again.

“I can only control what I am in control of and that myself, not what is outside the ring. It’s going to be a great fight it’s one I’ve wanted for years and it’s finally landed. There’s a lot at stake for both of us. Would I like my fans there? Yes. Would I like UK media there? Yes. If the fight was moved to the Mexican border I wouldn’t care.

“I have my own way of approaching the fight and Canelo will have too, he’s done this nearly 60 times. I’ll get in there as the best that I can be and that’s all I can control.

“I’ve been the underdog before, I’ve been the away fighter before, it’s not a new position, but I’m just in with a better opponent this time. 

“If I go in there and I win, I’m not going to run and say never again, I’ll fight him again, I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, it doesn’t bother me. It’s good for boxing sometimes when the underdogs come through, and I don’t just mean me here, because it puts the sport on a higher platform to be watched.

“I’m at the top of the tree where I’ve done it all as an amateur, I’ve had 30 fights, I’m unbeaten, won every title coming through, two-weight World champion – I can sit back at night and say I’m top of the pile fighting the pound-for-pound king.”

Alvarez and Saunders clash on a huge night of action in Texas with a stacked undercard in support of the mammoth main event, with Elwin Soto (18-1 12 KOs) defending his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs).

Kieron Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) defends his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs), Eddy Reynoso trained Cuban Heavyweight Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) meets Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs), Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) fights on his third Canelo undercard, Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds and it’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, with Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) celebrating Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders will face off in front of the fans on Friday, with the official weigh-in open to 5,000 fans at AT&T Plaza at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, with the fighters hitting the scales from 2pm ahead of Saturday night’s action, live worldwide on DAZN and distributed by TV Azteca in Mexico and Latin America.

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Alvarez (55-1-2 37 KOs) and Saunders (33-0 14 KOs) clash in a blockbuster unification battle on Saturday night with a stacked undercard in support of that battle, and fight fans can cheer their favorites onto the scales in the Texas sunshine.

Important notes for fight fans:

• Gates will open at 12.30pm for entry.
• No bags permitted
• First come, first served – attendance capped at 5,000

Alvarez and Saunders clash on a huge night of action in Texas with a stacked undercard in support of the mammoth main event, with Elwin Soto (18-1 12 KOs) defending his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs).

Kieron Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) defends his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs), Eddy Reynoso trained Cuban Heavyweight Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) meets Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs), Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) fights on his third Canelo undercard, Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds and it’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, with Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) celebrating Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

Canelo Alvarez met the media at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX today, the stadium he’ll face Billy Joe Saunders in a blockbuster unification fight on Saturday night (May 8), live worldwide on DAZN and distributed by TV Azteca in Mexico and Latin America.

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Alvarez (55-1-2 37 KOs) and Saunders (33-0 14 KOs) lock horns at the home of the Dallas Cowboys for the WBC, WBA Super and WBO titles on Cinco De Mayo weekend, and the Mexican told reporters he is laser focused on the task ahead against the unbeaten Brit.

“He thinks he’ll give me a boxing lesson?,” said Alvarez. “We’ll see. I am not the same guy I was five or six years ago. I have experience, I am a more mature fighter. So he can say whatever he wants, on Saturday night, he is in a different level of fight. I hope that I don’t need the judges on the night.

“We have always been open about what are short and long term plans have been. I want to unify the 168lb division, and Caleb Plant would be next in line to secure that short term goal if successful against Billy Joe Saunders

“The goal is to be undisputed at 168lbs and then we’ll see. I think I could stay at Super-Middleweight until the end of my career. I think I have about seven years left until I retire, but I’m listening to my body and when it tells me to quit, I’ll quit

“Nothing frustrates me, I am just focused on winning on Saturday. He has to fight me on Saturday, that has to happen, it’s not a problem.

“I don’t care about anything; I am just going to go in there and do my job. Saunders has come up with other excuses, he’s had plenty of excuses, but I am just going to go in there and do what I have to do.”

“We have faced everyone, lefties, righties, champions, former champions, so to us this is nothing new,” added trainer Eddy Reynoso.

Alvarez and Saunders clash on a huge night of action in Texas with a stacked undercard in support of the mammoth main event, with Elwin Soto (18-1 12 KOs) defending his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs).

Kieron Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) defends his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs), Eddy Reynoso trained Cuban Heavyweight Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) meets Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs), Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) fights on his third Canelo undercard, Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds and it’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, with Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) celebrating Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

MIAMI – May 4, 2021 – Boxeo Telemundo, the #1 boxing program among Hispanics and longest-running sports show in Spanish-language television, debuts its spring season with a WBA Fedecentro Jr. Lightweight title bout featuring up-and-coming prospects Gadwin “El Abayarde” Rosa facing George “El Yuyu” Acosta, live on Friday, May 7 at 12 a.m. ET/ 11 p.m. CT from Osceola Heritage Park Events Center on Telemundo, TelemundoDeportes.com and the Telemundo Deportes app.

Gadwin Rosa (11-1 9 Kos), from Puerto Rico but now residing in Florida, will be making his Telemundo debut as he aims to capture his first regional title. In his last outing, Rosa defeated Danny Flores by knock out in the 2nd round. George Acosta (11-1 1 KO) is looking to stay active this year as he steps back in the ring after a shutout performance last month, where he was victorious, winning a unanimous decision against Edgar “Pito Lupillo” Ramirez.

Boxeo Telemundo’s season debut will also present a special four-round bout of undefeated Super Bantamweights as Pedro Salome (2-0-1) of Los Angeles, California faces undefeated Hector Bayanilla (2-0) of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Boxeo Telemundo’s spring season will feature three consecutive weeks of live match coverage coupled with fight analysis and discussions about the latest boxing and MMA news stories. The season wraps up with a final episode highlighting the best-of season look-backs, never-seen undercards, and news and segments from the world of boxing and MMA.

Throughout the season, host Karim Mendiburu will be joined by Jorge Calvo and Andres Bermudez as the core play-by-play and commentator team. The show will also feature a rotation of renowned boxing contributors including Claudia Trejos, Maria del Mar Torres, and Omar Amador, along with boxing world champions and MMA stars as special guests.

Leading to the season premiere, Mendiburu and Trejos will be in Dallas starting today to provide extensive news and information coverage around the Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Jose Saunders bout. Coverage and special reports will air on TYM all week while Zona Mixta will feature the latest on fight night.

On the digital front, Boxeo Telemundo: Entre las Cuerdas, hosted by Mendiburu with contributors as special guests, continues tonight at 7 p.m. ET on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, with special coverage around Canelo and Saunders’ arrival to Dallas;  and Boxeo Telemundo Plus is back this Friday, giving fans the opportunity to connect with the Boxeo Telemundo’s experts via livestream each Friday night before Boxeo Telemundo goes on air, highlighting the latest around the live bouts and what’s coming, including all around Canelo and Saunder. The livestream is available at via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Kieron Conway says fighting in front of 70,000 fans in Dallas will be ‘surreal’ but he’s ready to turn on the style against Souleymane Cissokho on the undercard of the unification blockbuster between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders at AT&T Stadium on Saturday May 8, live worldwide on DAZN and on TV Azteca in Mexico. 

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Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) fights on the biggest stage of his career just under two years since the Northampton man boxed in front of a tiny crowd in his hometown over four rounds. Since that night, the 24 year old has gone to a whole new level; a war with Ted Cheeseman for the British Super-Welterweight title in London in June 2019 ending in a split draw but also a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

‘Too Class’ has won four fights since that barnburner with ‘The Big Cheese’, with wins over Nav Mansouri at the Matchroom Fight Camp in Essex, UK in August and a shut-out over Macaulay Magowan in London in December standing out in that run.

Magowan stepped in to replace Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs) on the Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev undercard after administrative reasons forced the Frenchman out of the bout on the bill of his manager Joshua, but that frustration for Conway has been replaced by excitement now that he gets to defend the WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title on the biggest platform possible.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me, coming off the AJ card last time out, that was a big stage and now this has come up,” said Conway. “It feels a bit surreal but I’m really looking forward to it and it’s a big stage and a good fight.

“I came up the hard way in the small hall shows where sometimes you are not even getting paid, so to be where I am at now it mad and I need to keep winning, keep entertaining and keep performing so people keep wanting to watch me.

“When I boxed at the Deco Theater in Northampton in front of about 1,000 people not being paid, I told people that I would be boxing on the biggest stages one day and in the space of about two years, i am. AJ cards, Canelo card in front of 70,000 in America – that’s unreal.

“I can’t wait to be in there with such a massive crowd, reacting to your punches and cheering, it makes it feel less like a sparring session. It’s back to big things, this is the biggest stage I’ve ever been on, I’ve got a good spot on the show so there will be a big crowd already in the stadium, so I can’t wait.”

Conway and Cissokho clash on a huge night in the Lone Star State, topped by the unification showdown between Alvarez and Saunders.

There’s more World title action on the card as Hearn’s latest Mexican World ruler added to the roster, Elwin Soto (18-1 12 KOs) fights under the Matchroom banner for the first time, defending his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs).

Eddy Reynoso trained Cuban Heavyweight Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) meets Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs), Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) fights on his third Canelo undercard, Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds and it’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, with Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) celebrating Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

CARSON, CALIF. (April 28, 2021) – Ahead of this Saturday’s showdown between the two greatest Mexican-American heavyweights in boxing history, a star-studded lineup of Mexican legends, champions, contenders and more shared their thoughts on the matchup between former unified heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. and all-action heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola.

This lineup includes quotes from Erik Morales, Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez, to name just a few of the Mexican stars excited for this heavyweight clash.

Ruiz vs. Arreola will top a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The all-Mexican boxing extravaganza features three additional pay-per-view undercard fights that will pit Mexican and Mexican-American fighters against each other in fan-friendly matchups.

The May 1 affair will kick off Cinco de Mayo week, a holiday that has long been synonymous with Mexican boxing greats, a tradition that Ruiz and Arreola both look forward to continuing when they square off.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. Dignity Health Sports Park will be open to fans in a limited capacity, with all guests remaining socially distanced and subject to local and state health guidelines throughout the event.

Here is what various Mexican and Mexican-American boxing legends, athletes, world champions, rising contenders and top trainers had to say about the importance of Saturday’s matchup, what it meant to them for Ruiz to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion and what the loyal Mexican boxing fans can expect on Saturday night:

Erik Morales, Hall of Famer:
“I had goosebumps watching the first fight between Andy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua, because this was the first time that a Mexican fighter won the heavyweight championship.

“Ruiz was a 15-to-1 underdog against Joshua, so that means that virtually no one expected him to win. And then, the fashion within which he won the title – rising from a third-round knockdown to stop Joshua – that made an even more impressive victory.”

Canelo Alvarez, Undefeated four-division champion:
“Andy Ruiz’s victory over Anthony Joshua was spectacular. He won in force, he was the best and he deserves all of the credit, proving there are many examples of elite boxers from Mexico.

“Andy reached out to me after the loss to Joshua. I consulted with Eddy Reynoso, and we agreed to help him, but we told him that the one thing we required was discipline. Andy has demonstrated a lot of that. Andy has done absolutely everything that Eddy has asked of him, from improving his defense to his head and waist movement, and he’s got very quick hands and punches with power.

“It’s great that Andy became the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, but now, it’s important to return to the top of the division. So this is a significant fight. With Andy facing Chris Arreola, this is the first time that two, high quality Mexican heavyweights are going at it. Arreola will bring aggression, but I expect a very quick knockout victory from Andy.”

Jorge de la Rosa, Former MLB Pitcher from Monterrey, Mexico:
“This is Andy Ruiz’s time to shine. He has the power and speed needed to catch Arreola by surprise, but it won’t be easy. It will be an amazing fight both for them and the fans. It’s going to be the all-action fight that we all crave and need in Los Angeles, a city that is very Mexican and has had a lot of memorable fights.”

David Benavidez, Undefeated two-time super middleweight champion:
“I’m very excited for Andy Ruiz to fight Chris Arreola, first of all, because, personally, I know both of these guys are good dudes who are going to go to war heading into the second half of their careers.

“Arreola was in contention for the heavyweight title for quite a while, and then, Ruiz stepped up and made history with a knockout of Anthony Joshua that made him the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.

“To be honest, I didn’t really want to watch the Joshua fight because everyone felt Ruiz had very little chance of winning. But when Ruiz got knocked down, got up and knocked out Joshua, that was probably one of the greatest moments in Mexican boxing history.

“Now Ruiz is working out alongside Canelo Alvarez, who has gone all the way up to light heavyweight. Between the two of them, they’ve demonstrated that anything is possible for Mexican fighters like me to accomplish championships at the higher weight divisions.”

Mario Barrios, Undefeated WBA World Super Lightweight Champion:
“This is a tough fight to predict for me because I like both guys. Chris Arreola and Andy Ruiz are both in great shape, so this fight is going to be explosive. I’m picking Ruiz by split decision in a very entertaining showdown. Cinco de Mayo is going to be off the charts this year with a big fight like this leading the way.”

Abner Mares, Former three-division world champion / boxing analyst:
“Andy Ruiz and Chris Arreola are exciting fighters to watch in their own right, and for them to be headlining an All-Mexican card as Mexican-American heavyweights is a historic precedent.

“Given the fact that we’ve had limited live shows since the start of the pandemic, it’s a real treat for all of us to have boxing return to the Los Angeles area. People are really excited, and I’m thrilled about an All-Mexican card being headlined by two Mexican-American heavyweights.

“Chris Arreola served as a trailblazer for Mexican heavyweights with his three appearances in championship fights, and Andy Ruiz shocked the world by knocking out Anthony Joshua to become the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent.

“When Ruiz did that, I remember what I was doing and where I was when it happened. Being honest, though, I wasn’t expecting that, even though I wanted to tune in because I’ve known Andy Ruiz since he was a kid.

“My wife was having an event at her store, but the Joshua-Ruiz fight was being televised in a place across the street. So I went over there. I saw Ruiz go down, and I thought, ‘Well, fight is over.’ But then Ruiz got up and knocked Joshua down and eventually won the fight.

“I remember getting up, jumping up and down like a little kid, and, running around saying to people, ‘Oh my God, did you see what just happened?’ I was pointing it out to people like, ‘Hey, we have a new Mexican heavyweight champion’.”

Raul Marquez, Former super welterweight world champion:
“When Andy Ruiz first challenged Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight title, I was in the living watching it with my wife. I told her, ‘You see that fat boy? That fat boy’s going to win.’

“But I was saying that as a joke, because, at that point, I was really thinking ‘There’s no way.’ As soon as the fight began, Ruiz had some moments, but then, Joshua dropped him and I said, ‘Aw, man, it’s going to be over.’

“But Ruiz took his shots and he came back and stopped Joshua. I’m going to be honest with you, I was crying. I was so happy for Ruiz because I was happy and excited that we finally had a Mexican heavyweight champion of the world.

“When you’re talking Mexican fighters, they’re usually the smaller guys like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez. Even I was pretty big being a super welterweight, and it was rare that you’d see any bigger.

“It was very rare that you’d see Mexicans in higher weights, but now, you have Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez. I came up with John Ruiz in the amateurs, and he became the first Puerto Rican heavyweight champion, which at the time was huge for Latinos.”

Eddy Reynoso, Trainer of Canelo Alvarez & Andy Ruiz Jr.:
“Andy Ruiz has given so much time and has been so dedicated to his work inside the gym. We’re excited for May 1. He is motivated and learning a lot every day. We know that on May 1 we’re going to be dealing with an aggressive fighter who is going to bring his best.

“Andy is excited about the challenge that Arreola presents. May 1 is going to be the second beginning of Andy’s career. This is the start of his pursuit to become champion again. We respect Arreola, but we’re going to go in there to get the job done on May 1.”

Omar Figueroa, Jr., Former world champion / welterweight contender:
“I’m honored to be a part of a show of this magnitude, especially an action-packed, All-Mexican card with the historical precedent of being headlined by two, Mexican-American heavyweights in Andy Ruiz and Chris Arreola.

“Neither of these guys looks to run around the ring, so you know that Arreola’s always going to bring it, and that Ruiz loves to fight. You’re going to see two guys setting off fireworks from beginning to end.”

Sebastian Fundora, Undefeated super welterweight contender:
“Andy Ruiz has been in the sport for a long time and he’s had a tremendous amateur background, so when it happened that he beat Anthony Joshua to become the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, honestly, I wasn’t surprised.

“But not everyone expected it because there are no other Mexican fighters, other than Chris Arreola, who have been able to succeed as a heavyweight. So for Ruiz to become the first was a true milestone for our Mexican culture.

“Now the fact you have two Mexican-American heavyweight fighters going against each other is incredible, and the fact that I have an opportunity to fight on their undercard is a great opportunity to showcase the fact that I’m another great, up-and-coming Mexican fighter. I believe that every fighter on this All-Mexican card is thinking the same thing, which is that we’re going to bring fans non-stop, action-packed, knockout excitement.”

Abel Ramos, Welterweight contender:
“Andy Ruiz versus Chris Arreola is a top of the line heavyweight clash of Mexicans between two guys who fit into the tradition that you can never count a Mexican out of a fight. I remember watching Arreola while growing up.

“I really believed in Arreola as being the first one that gave us hope that there can be a Mexican heavyweight champion. Even now with Arreola, you can never count him out. But Ruiz is an extremely talented fighter who has never been knocked out or stopped.”

Jesus Ramos, Undefeated welterweight prospect:
“Growing up I watched Chris Arreola’s career and his quest to become the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, but now, it’s crazy that he’s up against Andy Ruiz, who accomplished what Arreola wasn’t able to do in three tries.

“I remember meeting Ruiz in Los Angeles before his fight with Anthony Joshua, and he was a very humble, cool dude. So when I watched Ruiz get knocked down against Joshua, I was really worried and sad.

“But he came back and stopped Joshua, which was very exciting and an inspiration by representing all of us who are Mexican fans. I’ve been watching Ruiz’s videos, and you can tell he’s a more focused and determined fighter. Arreola’s a tough warrior and he’s always in exciting fights, but Ruiz looks extremely determined and motivated.”

Jorge Cota, Super Welterweight contender:
“The Andy Ruiz-Chris Arreola fight is going to be a matchup of savagery, because they’re big, strong Mexican heavyweights who are warriors with heart who are determined to win.

“Before Ruiz knocked out Anthony Joshua, everyone on the entire planet was counting him out, not only because he was the underdog, but because he took the fight on short notice as a replacement and didn’t have much time to prepare.

“But when I saw that he knocked out Joshua, I was as shocked as anyone at his display of courage and that typical, never quit Mexican mentality. With Ruiz’s matchup against Arreola, you’re going to see two Mexicans in a vicious war.”

Eduardo Ramirez, Featherweight contender:
“As a fan of the sport and a Mexican fighter myself, I can hardly wait to see the Andy Ruiz-Chris Arreola battle of heavyweights. It’s a historic, exciting fight between two massive men who will throw a ton of punches in advance of Cinco De Mayo. Their styles are perfect for one another, and Arreola’s going to bring it because it’s probably his last shot to crack the top of the division.”

Brandon Figueroa, Undefeated WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion:
“Andy Ruiz-Chris Arreola is a historic clash between two of the most accomplished heavyweight fighters in the history of the sport. It’s an incredible event between a former champion, Ruiz, and a guy in Arreola who tried to win three times before him.

“Growing up, I heard about the smaller Mexican legends like Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. But now, we’re talking about heavyweights, which is a different type of toe-to-toe fireworks, which had been unheard of in the Mexican tradition.

“Arreola’s a great fighter and he’s accomplished a lot, but Ruiz is the younger of the two and carries more speed, power and skills. It’s going to be a war.”

Omar Figueroa, Sr., Trainer and father of undefeated super bantamweight champion Brandon Figueroa:
“The fact that Andy Ruiz and Chris Arreola are fighting one another as Mexican-American heavyweights is definitely a rarity. Arreola’s been there three times, but Ruiz is more in his prime.

“It’s going to be an exciting fight between two Mexican-American punchers and they’re going to go at it, but Ruiz has shown a lot more heart, particularly in rising from the canvas to stop Anthony Joshua and becoming the first-ever Mexican heavyweight champion.

“There were not a lot of people who thought Ruiz could do that to Joshua because of the way they both looked, physically, the result surprised everybody and had a great impact on the Mexican culture.”

Robert Guerrero, Former two-division champion:
“This is going to be a historic event with two top Mexican heavyweights going to war. This is rare, and I’ll be tuning in and so should every Mexican boxing fan out there. This will not be a boring fight, and you can take that to the bank.”

Joel Diaz, Trainer of former world champion Omar Figueroa Jr.:
“For Andy Ruiz to win a championship meant a lot, because the Mexican and Latino fans are very strong, and for Ruiz to become the heavyweight champion by knockout over Anthony Joshua, that’s incredibly attractive.

“Never did I ever think that I’d see a Mexican heavyweight champion, and for us, as Mexicans, it was like a gift to the historic culture. For Ruiz and Chris Arreola to be headlining an action-packed, All-Mexican card, right before Cinco De Mayo, is what Mexican fans need.

“It’s going to be a night of fireworks for the fans and a truly historic night for the world to see two Mexican heavyweights colliding. Arreola’s not going to be an easy night for Ruiz because he’s a three-time title challenger who is a warrior who will give anybody a difficult fight.”

Daniel Roman, Former unified super bantamweight world champion:
“Andy Ruiz against Chris Arreola is a historic event matching two Mexican heavyweights that should be celebrated by our culture. From what I’ve seen from Ruiz, he’s taking it very seriously.

“Every time you have a Mexican against a Mexican, you know it’s going to be a war. So then you add to it that they’re headlining an all-Mexican-American card within a week of Cinco De Mayo, and you know that there are going to be non-stop fireworks from the start to the finish.”

Freddy Fundora, Trainer and father of undefeated super welterweight contender Sebastian Fundora:
“It’s an anomaly for two Mexican heavyweights to be fighting, especially with one of them being a former champion in Andy Ruiz, and the other, Chris Arreola, who fought for the title three times.

“Mexican-Americans are not usually that big, so it’s unheard of and rare that you have two Mexicans that big who are fighting one another. But each of them has an exciting, aggressive style, so, in the culture’s great tradition, there are going to be fireworks.”

Omar Juarez, Undefeated super lightweight prospect:
“This is going to be a great action fight with a lot of big punches being thrown by two big Mexican heavyweights. This is the perfect fight leading into Cinco de Mayo weekend and I’ll be watching closely with family and friends.”

Jose Benavidez Sr., Trainer and father of undefeated two-time super middleweight champion David Benavidez:
“My thought on the entire card is that it’s a historic event and to have it live in the Los Angeles area is a treat for all of the Mexican fans and for the Latino fans in general.

“Andy Ruiz and Chris Arreola are exciting in all of their fights, and for two of the best Mexican-American heavyweights of their generation to be fighting each other on an All-Mexican American card is amazing and unheard of to this point. During his career, Arreola was among my favorite fighters.

“I thought at one point that Arreola was going to do what Andy Ruiz did, and I believe that Arreola still has a lot of gas in the tank. Ruiz is coming off of that loss in his rematch with Anthony Joshua after beating Joshua by shocking the world.

“I believe that it’s going to be an impressive, exciting fight where you’ll see Arreola bring his all. But I also believe that Ruiz wants so badly to be heavyweight champion once again, so he’s re-dedicated, motivated, strong, sharp, transformed and looking to win in spectacular fashion.”

John Molina Jr., Two-time world title challenger:
“Andy Ruiz-Chris Arreola is an anomaly of a fight because it’s a clash of Mexican-American heavyweights who have had exposure to championship fights. Of course, Ruiz dethroned Anthony Joshua by knockout for the title before losing their rematch by decision.

“That made Ruiz, for a time, the first-ever heavyweight champion of Mexican descent, this, after Arreola set the stage by fighting for the title three times but losing to Vitali Klitschko, Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder.

“Both Ruiz and Arreola bring that traditional Mexican style to the table, and for that reason, it’s going to a highly entertaining, fan-friendly fight between warriors.”

Juan Macias Montiel, Middleweight contender:
“When Andy Ruiz came back to beat Anthony Joshua and to become the first man of Mexican descent to become a heavyweight champion, he did something that was unprecedented and so special for the Mexican community.

“Boxing for Mexicans is everything, and with my uncle, Fernando, being a retired former champion, Ruiz’s victory meant so much to my family. When Ruiz fights Arreola on May 1, you will see two of the best Mexican-American heavyweights in the history of the sport.

“Ruiz is under a new trainer in Eddy Reynoso, and Arreola’s in his second fight with Joe Goossen. They will do battle on May 1, kicking off the Cinco De Mayo weekend in what could be a make or break fight and the last shot for both men.”

Bob Santos, Trainer:
“When you think of Mexicans in boxing, you don’t think of seeing the bigger guys. You think of the smaller, legendary fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez and Juan Manuel Marquez. There have been bigger guys like Oscar De La Hoya, and, lately, Canelo Alvarez.

“As the product of a Puerto Rican-Mexican union as far as my parents, I have an appreciation for John Ruiz becoming the first Hispanic to hold a heavyweight title, and for him winning an all-Puerto Rican battle with his 11th-round knockout of Fres Oquendo.

“But it doesn’t get any bigger than Ruiz versus Arreola, which is huge as a fight between two, Mexican-American heavyweights as far as the tradition of Mexicans going to war with that ‘Never-say-die attitude’.”

Angel Barrientes, Super bantamweight prospect:
“When I think of the legendary Mexican fighters I watched growing up, you’re talking Julio Cesar Chavez, and Canelo Alvarez. I looked up to those fighters and so many others.

“But It’s rare to see a Mexican heavyweight fighter, so it’s definitely exciting that we’re going to be able to watch two of them fighting each other in Andy Ruiz and Chris Arreola. They’re both strong, big, accomplished, powerful punchers who are going to put on a great fight.”

Chavez Barrientes, Undefeated super bantamweight prospect:
“Andy Ruiz and Chris Arreola are going to put on a great fight being two Mexican-American heavyweights who have a reputation for really going at it, so it’s going to be a war.

“They’re both going to be hungry to pour their hearts out in the ring and to put on a great fight for the Mexican history books. Arreola’s still got a lot left, but he’s older, and Ruiz is the younger, hungrier fighter right now. So I feel like there will be a lot of action early on from Arreola, but that Ruiz will build momentum in the second half of the fight.”

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ABOUT FOX SPORTS PBC PPV: RUIZ VS. ARREOLA
Ruiz vs. Arreola will see former unified heavyweight world champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz, Jr. battle all-action heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare’’ Arreola in the main event of an all-Mexican boxing extravaganza on Saturday, May 1 headlining a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former world champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa, Jr. clashing with Abel Ramos in the 12-round welterweight co-main event. Sensational super welterweight contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno’’ Fundora takes on hard-hitting Jorge “El Demonio’’ Cota in a 12-round battle and rising welterweight star Jesús Ramos duels U.S. Olympian Javier “El Intocable” Molina for 10-rounds of welterweight action in the pay-per-view opener.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. Dignity Health Sports Park will be open to fans in a limited capacity, with all guests remaining socially distanced and subject to local and state health guidelines throughout the event.

The FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99. Buy now on foxsports.com/ppv and watch on any screen!

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Elwin Soto will defend his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama as the chief-support bout to the blockbuster Super-Middleweight unification clash between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico).

TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT SEATGEEK.COM

Soto (18-1 12 KOs) fights under the Matchroom banner for the first time on the show having penned a deal with Eddie Hearn last week. The Mexican makes the third defense of the crown he ripped from Angel Acosta in dramatic fashion with a final round KO win in California in June 2019 and has seen off the challenges of Edward Heno in October 2019 and Carlos Butrago last October.

The 24 year old now puts the crown on the line against the seasoned Japanese Takayama (32-8 12 KOs). The five-time Minimumweight champion made his return to professional action in December in Osaka, Japan having left the paid ranks as a World ruler in 2017 to aim for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo – and now the 37 year old has switched his focus to becoming a two-weight World champion.

There’s a stacked card under the two World title fights, led by Kieron Conway defending his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho.

Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) picked up the title with an impressive win over Navid Mansouri at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex in August. Conway and Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs) were due to meet on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s win over Kubrat Pulev in London in December, but the bout had to be shelved, so Conway took his frustrations out on Macauley McGowan on that card instead, with a shut-out win over ten rounds.

French Olympian Cissokho shrugged off his pain at missing the original fight date on the undercard of his manager Joshua by recording his eighth KO win from 12 outings with a sixth round stoppage of Daniel Echeverria in Dallas in March, setting up a rescheduled clash with Conway that is full of intrigue and importance for their respective careers.

Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) let his hands go for a seventh round KO win over Julian Fernandez on the undercard of Alvarez’s win over Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas in December, and the big Cuban Heavyweight will be looking to repeat that feat against Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs).

Sanchez is ranked at a lofty #6 with the WBO, and the 28 year old Eddy Reynoso charge will be plotting a route to the crunch clashes with his fellow big-hitters, but Aguilera will be planning to give him a tough night and the 34 year old comes into the bout on the back of a 21^st career win in November.

Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) makes it three Canelo undercard appearances from three since making his pro debut on the Canelo-Smith card in Texas. The stellar amateur recorded a third round stoppage that night and followed that with a second round KO in Miami on the Canelo-Yildirim bill – the 21 year old will be looking to shine on the biggest stage once again over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) made his debut at the Hard Rock Stadium and he appears alongside Castro once again in his third pro outing. The Virginia starlet grabbed a second round win that night over Lester Brown and followed that by forcing Richman Ashelley to retire after four rounds of their battle in Dubai earlier this month, and Davis will face Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds. It’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks after a second round KO win on his debut in December in Los Angeles, taking on Jan Marsalek (8-2 7 KOs) over six rounds.

Rounding off the undercard, Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) is on another Canelo undercard after stopping Angel Hernandez in three rounds in San Antonio in December, and he’ll celebrate Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

“It’s a stacked night of action at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Elwin Soto is a great addition to our stable and the Mexican World champion will want to dazzle on the biggest stage against the experienced Takayama.

“The clash between Kieron and Souleymane is a cracker, and I am thrilled for both of them that they get to perform on this stage – there will be some spice there after it was postponed in December and now, they get their hands on each other in Texas.

“Frank always brings the heat and he’ll be eyeing a showstopping KO, and again, Marc and Keyshawn get to shine under the brightest lights – it’s going to be a spectacular night of action, leading to the big one between Canelo and Billy Joe.”

BBC Radio 5 Live will broadcast three huge fight nights live on the radio, kicking off this weekend with Demetrius Andrade defending his WBO World Middleweight title against Liam Williams in Florida on Saturday night, then from Manchester on May 1 with the stacked card led by the Heavyweight clash between Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker and Katie Taylor’s undisputed Lightweight defence against Natasha Jonas, and the blockbuster World Super-Middleweight unification clash between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders from Texas on May 8.

Andrade (29-0 18 KOs) puts his title on the line for the fourth time against Welsh mandatory challenger Williams (23-2-1 18 KOs) and fight fans in the UK will be able to tune into the crunch battle from 11pm GMT on the BBC on Saturday night.

On May 1, it’s a huge night of action in Manchester as Heavyweight favourite Chisora (32-10 3 KOs) faces former World ruler Parker (28-2 21 KOs), undisputed World Lightweight champion Taylor (17-0 6 KOs) defends her titles against Jonas (9-1-1 7 KOs) in a rematch of their 2012 Olympic scrap and WBA World Light-Heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol (17-0 11 KOs) defends his crown against Londoner Crag Richards (16-1-1 9 KOs).

One week later, the biggest fight of the year so far takes place at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas as pound-for-pound king Alvarez (55-1-2 37 KOs) battles unbeaten Briton Saunders (30-0 14 KOs) for the WBC, WBA Super, WBO and Ring Magazine straps at 168lbs.

Louise Sutton, 5 Live Sport Editor, said: “BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing has provided superb live coverage of some colossal fights over this past year, with many more to come.
This deal with Matchroom confirms another three thrilling nights of action for fans to enjoy, including some of the most anticipated fights of the year. We’re delighted to be providing UK boxing fans with live free-to-air coverage of each head-to-head, alongside expert analysis, opinion and some special guests.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “I am delighted that BBC Radio 5Live will be covering these three massive nights of action. Andrade vs. Williams is a great fight in Florida on Saturday, as Demetrius aims to make a statement and Liam can become Wales’ 13th World champion.

“The May 1 show is a monster. It’s topped by the Heavyweight showdown between Chisora and Parker which is sure to set fire early and leads a stacked bill with two great World title fights in Taylor vs. Jonas and Bivol vs. Richards.

“Completing the trio is the biggest fight of the year so far, as the pound-for-pound boss Canelo Alvarez taking on the UK’s finest in Billy Joe Saunders in front of over 70,000 fans on Cinco De Mayo weekend in Dallas on May 8 – that is going to be an unforgettable occasion and a mammoth fight.”

All remaining tickets go on general sale today for the blockbuster unification showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday May 8 at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, live worldwide on DAZN, after the event broke SeatGeek.com’s pre-sale record.

TICKETS GO ON GENERAL SALE AT 10AM CT TODAY (MARCH 26) AT SEATGEEK.COM

Over 40,000 tickets were sold in the pre-sale period, smashing the previous record for the best performing pre-sale sales for the mobile ticket platform, and the scramble for the remaining tickets will begin at 10am CT today (11am ET) when the rest of the tickets are released on general sale.

Canelo fights at the home of the Dallas Cowboys for the second time in his career and returns to his traditional Cinco De Mayo weekend date after COVID robbed him of that in 2020.

The Mexican superstar is aiming to take a massive step to becoming the first 168lb undisputed champion from his homeland and the stakes couldn’t be higher, as if he hands Saunders a first career defeat and takes his WBO crown, just one piece of the puzzle will remain.

Saunders, who will be completing his training camp in Las Vegas, will be looking to stop the rot for British fighters facing Canelo and grab the biggest win of his career to date against the 30 year old – and promoter Eddie Hearn says the pre-sale success reflects the appetite for fight fans to see Canelo and Saunders tangle on Cinco De Mayo weekend.

“The pre-sale numbers were fantastic, and I am sure that on Cinco de Mayo weekend, we’re going to have a full house to watch this massive unification fight,” said Hearn.

“It’s great to be able to stage a fight of such huge global significance to the home of the Dallas Cowboys and fill that wonderful stadium with fans. We’re going to be putting on a night that those lucky enough to be in there will never forget.”

About AT&T Stadium:
AT&T Stadium is one of the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world.  Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year-round.  The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 50 pieces from an international array of curated artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue.  In addition to being the Home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches, and other special events.  For more information, go to www.attstadium.com.

Over 20,000 tickets were sold on a record-breaking day one of the limited pre-sale for the blockbuster unification showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday May 8 at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, live worldwide on DAZN.
TICKETS REMAIN ON PRE-SALE UNTIL 10PM CT ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 24 AT SEATGEEK.COM – PRE-SALE CODE ‘MATCHROOM’
Canelo fights at the home of the Dallas Cowboys for the second time in his career and returns to his traditional Cinco De Mayo weekend date after COVID robbed him of that in 2020.

The Mexican superstar is aiming to take a massive step to becoming the first 168lb undisputed champion from his homeland and the stakes couldn’t be higher, as if he hands Saunders a first career defeat and takes his WBO crown, just one piece of the puzzle will remain.

Saunders, who will be completing his training camp in Las Vegas, will be looking to stop the rot for British fighters facing Canelo and grab the biggest win of his career to date against the 30 year old – it’s an occasion that has already captured the attention of fight fans, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes we’re heading for something special on May 8.

“Today we have seen record breaking numbers for what promises to be a huge celebration on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said Hearn. “Canelo fighting on Cinco De Mayo has become a staple of the boxing calendar, and I am honored to be promoting this captivating fight at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

“With one more day of pre-sale to go before the tickets go on general sale on Thursday morning, I am confident that we’re going to have a full house in the Lone Star state for one of the most important fights of 2021.”

Tickets starting from just $40 (plus fees) remain on pre-sale until 10pm CT on Thursday March 25, and tickets then go on general sale at 10am CT on Friday March 26 at SeatGeek.com.

About AT&T Stadium:
AT&T Stadium is one of the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world.  Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year-round.  The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 50 pieces from an international array of curated artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue.  In addition to being the Home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches, and other special events.  For more information, go to www.attstadium.com.

Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders will clash in front of over 60,000 fans in a World Super-Middleweight title unification blockbuster at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday May 8, live worldwide on DAZN. Pre-sales for the blockbuster fight will start on Tuesday March 23 with general sale beginning on Friday March 26 at SeatGeek.com. 
 
Mexican superstar Canelo puts his WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine titles on the line at the Home of the Dallas Cowboys on Cinco de Mayo weekend, as British favorite Saunders brings his WBO strap across the pond and looks to extend his unbeaten pro record against the pound-for-pound king in front of the biggest sporting crowd for over a year in the US.
 
“We are proud to host a boxing match of this magnitude as we welcome back Canelo Alvarez to AT&T Stadium to take on Billy Joe Saunders,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones. “AT&T Stadium was built to house the greatest sporting events on the planet, and we feel we have another incredible boxing event on the horizon with this matchup taking place in Arlington on May 8th.”
 
Saunders is the fourth Briton to face the Mexican star and the second to do so at AT&T Stadium, after Canelo defeated Liam Smith there in September 2016. May 8 will also be the fifth stadium show for Canelo in the Lone Star state having fought twice at the Alamodome in San Antonio and at Minute Maid Park, Home of the Houston Astros.
 
“It’s an absolute honor to bring this huge event to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on May 8,” said Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport. “Last year Canelo missed out on his historic Cinco De Mayo fight, and to bring over 60,000 fans together at this iconic stadium this year is a dream come true.
 
“This fight is the biggest of 2021 so far with Canelo looking to unify the division once more against undefeated two-weight World champion Billy Joe Saunders. We want to thank Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium for their efforts to bring this global event to their stunning facility and we look forward to giving the fans a momentous occasion and a Cinco de Mayo celebration they will never forget.”
 
“For 2021’s biggest boxing event to date, it’s hard to imagine a better place than AT&T Stadium,” said DAZN EVP Joseph Markowski. “We look forward to delivering a world-class event from this world-class venue to DAZN subscribers across the globe.”
 
Tickets go on pre-sale on Tuesday March 23 from 10am CT, with tickets starting from just $40 (plus fees. Pre-sale ends at 10pm CT on Thursday March 25, and tickets then go on general sale at 10am CT on Friday March 26 at SeatGeek.com
 
 
About AT&T Stadium:
AT&T Stadium is one of the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world.  Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year-round.  The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 50 pieces from an international array of curated artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue.  In addition to being the Home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches, and other special events.  For more information, go to www.attstadium.com.

By Norm Frauenheim–

On a couple of scales, David Benavidez has been hard at work. He’s turned up the volume. And he made weight. Both have kept him in the mix, if not the hunt, for the one fight he desperately wants.

If you haven’t heard, he’s pursuing Canelo Alvarez. He has turned the internet into a virtual bully pulpit, jumping from platform to platform, stating and restating his ultimate goal of a fight with Canelo.

No telling whether Canelo is listening, although it would be hard not to. But Canelo has other tasks already on his schedule, including a super-middleweight title date with Billy Joe Saunders on May 8. Then, there are plans for Caleb Plant in a bid to unify the acronyms. Canelo, already known for his stubborn focus on the business at hand, is busy and probably will be for a while.

For Benavidez, that means more of the same. Stay relevant, both on the internet and in the ring. The signs are good that he will. His 11^th-round stoppage of Ronald Ellis last Saturday was somewhat lost amid news of Marvin Hagler’s death.

Then, there was attention on Juan Francisco Estrada’s split-decision over Roman Gonzalez. It was a Super Fly classic, worthy of a Curtis Mayfield replay.

Nonetheless, Benavidez was impressive, more perhaps for the victory he scored on the scale than his predictable win over Ellis. He made the mandatory, coming in three-quarters of a pound under 168. Then, he went 10-plus rounds with no sign of the kind of fatigue brought on by an exhausting battle to shed pounds. There was plenty of talk in the wake of a scale fail last August against Roamer Alexis Angulo that he wouldn’t. That he couldn’t. But he would and could.

Light-heavyweight will have to wait.

Yet, it’s problematic how long a wait it’ll be before Benavidez will have to make the jump. He’s 24. He’s listed at 6-feet-and-1/2 inch and looks bigger. Light-heavy is inevitable and he knows it. The question is whether the Phoenix fighter can forestall that inevitability long enough to keep himself in line for Canelo in what would figure to be a mandatory shot at one of the Mexican’s titles. Benavidez lost the WBC version in August when he came three pounds heavier than the limit.

For now, it’s clear that Canelo has no interest in fighting anybody without a title or the right to a mandatory challenge. He talks about history, which means his priority is winning and keeping all of the relevant belts. That means Saunders, who has the WBO version. Then, there’s Plant, who holds the IBF title.  Canelo already has the WBA and WBC pieces to the puzzle, both of which he claimed in a one-sided decision over Callum Smith.

The other question is whether Canelo will even bother with a risky title defense. The aggressive Benavidez looms as risky a challenge as anybody in the division.  Canelo has been known to make risky challengers wait. To wit: Gennadiy Golovkin. GGG is still waiting for a third fight after a controversial draw followed by a debatable loss by majority decision.

Canelo is letting Golovkin grow old. GGG turns 39 on April 8. He might let Benavidez grow out of the division. It’s not clear whether Canelo will move up for a second bid at a 175-pound belt. He stopped Sergey Kovalev for a light-heavyweight title in 2019. Then, he relinquished it. For now, Canelo trainer/manager Eddy Reynoso says he doesn’t want him to fight against a naturally bigger man.

But, weight, like age, changes. Canelo, himself, still might grow into a natural 175-pounder. The real question might be Artur Beterbiev. How good is he? He looked unbeatable in a 10^th-round stoppage of Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a light-heavy unification bout in October 2019.

Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) is back Saturday (ESPN/ET 3 pm) in Moscow against Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs). According to Sports Betting Dime, Beterbiev is a minus-5000 favorite, meaning his chances at winning are at 98.4 percent.

Translation: Beterbiev is all but a lock to look sensational, impressive enough to keep Canelo at super-middleweight for now or forever. Benavidez doesn’t have that option. But he does have fans, enough of them to keep him busy with at least one possibility. Jermall Charlo, an unbeaten middleweight champ, called him out his week.

“Yeah, let’s make that fight happen,” Charlo said on The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer.

Charlo called him a “punk.” He promised to knock him out. All music to Benavidez, who has never been afraid of trash talk.

“I give him four rounds, five rounds,’’ Charlo said. “I knock him out in about five rounds, six rounds—no more. He get hit too much. I’m powerful. I’ll explode on him.”

Charlo, like Benavidez, has been chasing Canelo. The idea is that a fight with Benavidez would put the winner in position to finally fulfil that ambition. Both are looking for opportunity. For Benavidez, Charlo is a much better one than a rematch with Anthony Dirrell. Been there, done that.  It also looks to be an easy enough fight to make. Both are linked to PBC (Premier Boxing Champions).

On any scale, it would be one way to stay in line and a better way to move on if Canelo says no.

By Bart Barry-

Saturday on DAZN super middleweight champion and world’s best prizefighter Saul “Canelo” Alvarez went through WBC mandatory challenger Avni “Turkey Wolf” Yildirim in a few rounds of medium-paced sparring.  The match was not competitive but a necessary part of Canelo’s new approach to our beloved sport.

The Canelo Model is ratified and acceptable.  Roughly it goes like this: Boxing’s biggest draw must make two annual superfights and the rest of his prizefights may be about whatever he thinks makes his two main fights shine.  It’s like the Money May Model, except that by broadcasting his sparring sessions Canelo makes more money for everyone.

Saturday was a broadcasted sparring session with a live gait and concessions and parking tariffs and sanctioning fees and all the usual fixings.  Canelo made far more money for punching Yildirim than he deserved, perhaps, but he also brought a bit of money to Miami Gardens that mightn’t have been there otherwise.  He got Yildirim paid way more than was fair or right, too.

Canelo has found his new home, 168 pounds, and decided to show us exactly how to clean-out a division.  It requires quite a bit more compromise than some might’ve supposed.  One cannot unify a division with superfights alone.  You already know this, but it bears reiteration.  If one tries to unify a division with superfights, he gets stripped of an old belt each time he wins a new one.

The sanctioning bodies, parasitic birds they be, want to lay their eggs in every nest and dip their beaks in every stream.  They make their money conjuring new titles and ratings to bestow on fighters in exchange for a point or two on those fighters’ proximate purses.  The worst thing to happen to any sanctioning body is a unified champion, someone who doesn’t need their trophies and might not pay for them in the future – while spending a year taking selfies with a belt that is generating no new revenue for its bestower.

The general remedy to this problem is to mint new ones.  International, intercontinental, diamond, silver, super, world, interim, gold, youth, and one for every continent and country.  It’s nefarious the way inflation is nefarious and not nearly potent as stripping champions.  Stripping, see, keeps a sanctioning body’s currency valuable in two ways: By not diluting the product and by implying something like quality-control.

Canelo is showing the world what a prizefighter must go through to keep belts.  Avni Yildirim lost a close decision to Anthony Dirrell two years ago in a match stopped early because of an accidental headbutt.  That’s how Turkey Wolf became Canelo’s mandatory challenger.  By losing.  Would Mexico’s WBC have stripped Canelo for leaving Yildirim on the shelf?  Of course not.  But the WBC would have made Canelo pay something extra to defend its belt in his next superfight.  Other sanctioning bodies who see Canelo as the WBC’s guy already want to strip him like Matthew McConaughey; the WBA’s playing along for the time being, but if Canelo doesn’t spar with David Morrell or Fedor Chudinov in 2021 expect “Simply the pioneers” to simply strip him in January.  

Canelo performs a further service for boxing.  By fighting his mandatories during off months, men who’ve worked their ways up through a corrupt system either by dint of talent or by surrounding themselves with equally corrupt handlers, or both, likely both, Canelo shows the enormity of what gulfs separate generational talents like him from everyone else.

Avni Yildirim is much better at fighting than you are or anyone you know is.  Yet he lasted fewer than 10 minutes with a man whose pro debut happened 38 pounds smaller than Yildirim’s.  There wasn’t a moment’s doubt Saturday because Canelo is pure prizefighter.

Canelo doesn’t carry opponents these days.  Not for fun or profit.  He plans to stay oldschool busy this year, too, so he hasn’t a reason to go rounds or knock-off rust or whatever other cliches promoters yip about after their inactive superstars’ bland outings.  He shows his palpable respect for the craft by showing inferiors open contempt.  He walloped Yildirim on Saturday like Turkey Wolf was filled with sand and dangling from a rusty chain, like Yildirim hadn’t any volition of his own.  When Yildirim stayed on his stool after a nineminute, depriving Hard Rock Stadium of its commissioned bloodletting, Canelo didn’t get theatrical.  He thanked his disappointed fans and announced his next match.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Canelo Alvarez will clash with Billy Joe Saunders in a WBC, WBA Super, WBO and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight unification blockbuster on May 8, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico)
 
Canelo Alvarez dismantled WBC mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in three rounds at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and next he takes a giant step in his quest to become undisputed by facing the WBO king Saunders at a venue to be announced soon.
 
Alvarez’s win over Yildirim followed hot on the heels of his dominant triumph over Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas to win the belts he defended this evening, and now another Briton enters the fray to take on the pound for pound king.
 
Saunders (30-0 14 KOs) will be putting his WBO strap on the line for the third time, after recently sending Martin Murray into retirement following his comprehensive points win over the British stalwart, and the Briton puts his belt and unbeaten record on the line in what promises to be a mouth-watering occasion.
 
“We want to unify the division, he’s a world champion, we want to go for it and we need to go for it,” said Canelo. “He’s a very difficult fighter and has a championship, the WBO.
 
“People talk but I’m a very mature fighter and I know how to control myself. All I need to do is go into the ring, win and make history.”
 
“It’s because it hasn’t been done, no one has done it in Latin America. In the world only a few fighters have done it, the best. I want to make history and be one of the best in the world.”
 
“Canelo, I’m ready to rock and roll,” said Saunders. “You have to dare to be great and you aren’t going to be a great if you don’t beat the greats.
 
“I believe I am the only one with the footwork, knowhow, skillset, mindset and brain to unlock that door in Canelo.
 
“He’s the main man in the sport and the face of boxing. You have to give him respect, he hasn’t ducked anyone, he’s beaten good names, but nobody is unbeatable, and I believe I have got the tools to beat him if I use them properly and if the gamelan comes off that I believe works.
 
“I am looking at the golden ticket to cement my legacy, and that’s how you have to go in there to beat him. I’ve won everything from Southern Area to World titles, I could say ‘I’ve won it all, been to the Olympics, I’m unbeaten – I’ll see you later’. But I’ve only just turned 31, I’ve got no miles on the clock, haven’t taken any punishment – I believe he’s been in harder fights than me and has more miles, so I want to cement my legacy and beat him.”
 
“This is one of the biggest fights in the sport of boxing,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The pound-for-pound king on the road to undisputed against the unbeaten champion who has long believed he can overcome him. After missing a chance to fight and celebrate on Cinco de Mayo last year this is going to be very special, we look forward to welcoming you for this momentous event.”
 
“Canelo vs. Saunders is a fascinating matchup of champions with massive international appeal,” said Ed Breeze, DAZN EVP, Rights. “From what we expect to be a fiery promotion to the competition in the ring, we’re thrilled to deliver this fight to DAZN subscribers across the world.”

Follow all of the action as Canelo Alvarez defends the WBA/WBC Super Middleweight titles against Avni Yildirim.  The action kicks off at 7 PM from Miami’s Hard Rod Rock Stadium with appearances from McWilliams Arroyo, Heavyweights Zhelei Zhang and Jerry Forrest plus prospect Diego Pacheco

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Left hook from Alvarez..2 body shots..

Round 2 Hard uppercut from Alvarez..Left uppercut..Left to the body..Uppercut and right hand..Hard uppercut..hard left hook to the body..body shot,,Left to the body

Round 3 Right from Yildirim..RIGHT AND DOWN GOES YILDIRIM…Hard straight right from Alvarez—-THE FIGHT IS STOPPED IN THE CORNER

Round 1 Counter from Arroyo..Clash of Heads..Right from Rodriguez..Left

Round 2 Chopping right from Arroyo..Left hook from Rodriguez..Jab from Arroyo

Round 3 Nice left hook from Rodriguez..Jab from Arroyo..Body shot..Left hook..Combination

Round 4 Hard uppercut..combination and down goes Rodriguez

Round 5 Huge right from Arroyo...TOWEL COMES IN …FIGHT OVER

Round 1: Right hook from Forrest…Left from Zhang…HUGE LEFT AND DOWN GOES FORREST
Round 2 good action..BIG RIGHT HOOK AND DOWN GOES FORREST
Round 3 LEFT AND DOWN GOES FORREST
Round 4 Zhang Jabbing
Round 5 Zhang working Body
Round 6 Body shot from Forrest
Round 7 Forrest starting to dictate action
Round 8 Big left from Forrest..Body shots from Forrest..Zhang cut over his right eye.
Round 9 Combination from Forrest…ZHANG EDUCTED A POINT FOR HOLDING THE NECK
Round 10 Left from Forrest…Hard combination from Forrest.Big right..Zhang looks hurt..Inside right hook..

Round 1 Right from Gomez…Body shot..Nice right from Pacheco
Round 2 Straight from Pacheco..Good body shot..Counter right…Uppercut..Left hook
Round 3 Nice right from Gomez…Right from Pacheco…Nice right from Gomez…Good body shot from Pacheco..Good exchange..
Round 4 Left hook from Pacheco..Left hook followed by a straight right…Left hook from Gomez…Right from Pacheco
Round 5 2 Big rights from Pacheco
Round 6 Counter and straight right from Gomez..Counter right from Pacheco..Uppercut on inside
Round 7 Left uppercut from Pacheco
Round 8

Round 1 1ST PUNCH AND DOWN GOES MORAGA (Jab)..Right hook to the body
Round 2 Jab from Castro..Right to head and nice left hook..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES MORAGA…BIG UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES MORAGA AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Canelo Alvarez did what he was supposed to do. He dominated Avni Yildirim and scored a stoppage win after round three to retain the WBA/WBC Super Middleweight world championships at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Alvarez came out landing vicious body shots and hard uppercuts that started to soften Yildirim up. In round three, Alvarez landed a hard right hand that sent Yildirim on his back. Yildirim continued to take punishment for the rest of the round the fight was stopped in the corner.

Alvarez, 167 1/2 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 55-1-2 with 37 knockouts. Yildirim, 167 1/2 lbs of Turkey is 21-3.

Arroyo stops Rodriguez in 5; Wins Interim Flyweight Title

McWilliams Arroyo won the WBC Interim Flyweight title by stopping very late replacement Abraham Rodriguez in round five.

Arroyo broke Rodriguez down with hard shots until the fight was stopped at 1:41 of round five.

Arroyo, 112 lbs of Fajardo, PR is 21-4 with 16 knockouts. Rodriguez took the fight on less than a day notice as champion Julio Cesar Martinez hurt his hand. Rodriguez is now 27-3.

Forrest and Zhang fight to a Draw

It looked like it would be an easy night at the office for world ranked heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, it was anything but as he had to literal hold on to get a 10-round draw with Jerry Forrest.

Zhang scored hard knockdowns in each of the first three rounds, and was seemingly one punch away from ending things. Forrest hung in there, and and dominated the second half of the fight as he landed quick and hard combinations that had an exhausted Zhang holding on to the point where he was deducted a point in the 9th frame. Forrest had a strong final round that saw him hurt Zhang on a couple of occasions.

Zhang was 104 of 311 punches; Forrest was 156 of 555.

Forrest took a card 95-93 and two cards were even at 94-94.

Forrest 236 3/4 lbs of Newport News, VA is 26-4-1. Zhang, 256 3/4 lbs of China is 22-0-1.

Pacheco Decisions Gomez Jr.

Diego Pacheco remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Rodolfo Gomez Jr. in a super middleweight fight.

Pacheco landed 117 of 382 punches; Gomez was 70 of 351.

Pacheco, 168 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is mow 11-0. Gomez, 167lbs of Laredo, TX is 14-5-1.

Castro Stops Moraga in 2

Marc Castro stopped John Moraga in round two of their scheduled four-round junior lightweight bout.

In round one, Castro dropped Moraga in the opening seconds with a jab. In round two, Castro dropped Moraga with a hard right hand. Moments later Castro ended thing when he landed a hard uppercut that sent Moraga down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Castro, 129 1/2 lbs of Fresno, CA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Moraga, 131 lbs of Pheonix, AZ is 1-3.

Highly-touted prospect Keyshawn Davis stopped Lester Brown in round two of their scheduled four-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Davis put Brown down with a solid right to the head. Later in the round, Davis continued the assault until the bout was stopped at 2:50

Davis, 136 1/2 lbs of Norfolk, VA is 1-0 with one knockout. Brown, 134 1/2 lbs of Nassau, BAH is 4-3-3.

Aaron Aponte remained undefeated by winning a four-round unanimous decision over Harry Gigliotti in a junior welterweight contest.

In round four, Aponte landed a right hand that sent Gigliotti down. Later in the round Gigliotti was deducted a point for headbutting.

Aponte, 139 3/4 lbs of Hialeah, FL won by scores of 40-34 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Gigliotti, 139 1/4 lbs of Havenhill, MA is 6-2.

Alexis Espino remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over Ashton Sykes in a super middleweight fight.

In round five, Espino hurt Sykes with hard left. That gave Espino the opportunity to land a series of hard punches that left Sykes prone, and the fight was stopped at 2:03.

Espino, 167 3/4 lbs of Las Vegas is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Sykes, 166 1/4 lbs of Colombia, MD is 5-4.