Daniel Jacobs enters a new chapter in his career tomorrow night and in the latest episode of ‘Born Fighter’ says his early sacrifices as a teenager led to him becoming a two-time World champion hunting two-weight glory, starting with his debut at 168lbs against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday night, live on DAZN on US and Sky Sports in the UK.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH DANIEL JACOBS ON ‘BORN FIGHTER’ ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
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 Jacobs (35-3 29 KOs) closed the book on his time at Middleweight in May with a unification clash with Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, and the two-time World ruler now embarks on his quest to become a two-weight World champion.

The ‘Miracle Man’ faces Chavez Jr (51-3-1 33 KOs) with the Mexican star also hunting two-weight World honors, but a relaxed Jacobs told Lauren Gardner that he’s in a great place mentally for the fight as his career moves to a new stage after over 18 years in the game.

“Life is blissful,” said Jacobs. “I’m so fortunate to have made the early sacrifices in my life to be in this position now, to see my son thrive, be in an excellent school and be doing so well in school, that’s all I can ask for as a family man.

“Any time you have inner city kids that don’t have a lot, they look at sports or entertainment as an outlet. For me, boxing found me and I was able to take boxing as my outlet and be the best that I can be. But anyone that is from a place like Brooklyn can vouch for the mindset and mentality that if things aren’t given to you and you have to work for it, you say to yourself that you are going to go out there and get it or stay content with what I have. 

“I was afraid of the streets, I was a Momma’s boy, I didn’t want to be in harms way. I had no teenage life, I have been dedicated to the gym since I was 14. I never partied or hung out with friends, nothing that a normal teenager did. I think that now I make up for that with my friends and family now. 

“I look at the friends I grew up with or people that came from the same neighborhood who didn’t make those early sacrifices, and a lot of them aren’t where they wanted to be, they are on the streets or are dead. I made a conscious decision to stay away from that when I was very young and I am proof that if you make sacrifices early for a goal and keep that goal sacred, you can succeed and live forever like a king later in life. 

“My spirits are high. When you are mentally in the best shape possible going into a fight it will definitely show and now that we don’t have any weight issues going into a fight like we did before, I think the fans are going see the Daniel Jacobs people saw in the amateurs and the early days as a pro.”

Jacobs is the latest fighter featured on season two of ‘Born Fighter’ following the likes of Devin Haney, Billy Joe Saunders and Michael Hunter as the second series focuses on the stable at Matchroom Boxing USA after 11 episodes from the British and Irish stable featuring Katie Taylor, Luke Campbell, Dillian Whyte, Joshua Buatsi and more.

The series will be presented by Lauren Gardner, a familiar face to sports fans in America as the host of DAZN’s nightly live baseball program “ChangeUp” as well as a contributing reporter for DAZN’s boxing coverage. The Colorado native has worked with CBS Sports, AT&T SportsNet, Fox Sports Ohio, MTV2, MLB/NHL Network and ESPN, where she covered NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, College Football, College Basketball and two Super Bowls. The American series of ‘Born Fighter’ will also appear on DAZN 24 hours after premiering on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.
 Chavez Jr and Jacobs clash on a huge night of action in Phoenix as Julio Cesar Martinez takes on Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC World Flyweight title. The Welterweight division is in focus on the card as Maurice Hooker starts his quest to become a two-weight World champion as he moves up to Welterweight and takes on Uriel Perez on his bow at 147lbs. Josh Kelly is one of the stand out talents in the Welterweight division, and he meets Winston Campos as he closes in on a clash with European champion David Avanesyan at the start of 2020. Olympic gold medal man Daniyar Yeleussinov is another Welterweight star on the card and he looks to impress in his ninth pro outing against Alan Sanchez. Gabriel Rosado will have a keen eye on the main event as he fights for the 38th time as a pro against Humberto Ochoa while Brit star Liam Smith continues his charge to a second World title reign in a ten round clash with Roberto Garcia. Three of Matchroom Boxing USA’s bright young things complete the stacked card in Nikita Ababiy, Reshat Mati and Raymond Ford.

A court in Nevada granted Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. a temporary injunction which will allow him to fight Daniel Jacobs on Friday night in Phoenix, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Chavez was suspended by Nevada for refusing a drug test.

“It was very important for us, especially for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., to get to this fight against Jacobs without any restriction, so it was very important that this temporary suspension be lifted,” Miguel Leff, Chavez’s lawyer told ESPN. “We will have the opportunity to collect and review the information and when we have everything ready, we will see the case in court, but that will be after Friday’s fight.”

“We don’t represent him, but they got an injunction and he’s no longer suspended,” Promoter Eddie Hearn said. “He’s been licensed to fight in Arizona for some time, but this completely clears up the matter and we look forward to a huge show with over 10,000 [in attendance] on Friday.”

“If someone wants to have a grudge, I mean, that won’t be the first time in boxing someone had a grudge,” Hearn said. “We’ve done everything completely by the book. The fact is, if Arizona didn’t license Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., of course, we wouldn’t put the fight on. That’s why we’ve had Gabriel Rosado on the card, signed to stand in, if there was an issue. But Chavez has fought his own battle. It had nothing to do with us. We don’t represent Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. We have a contract with him to take part in a fight with Daniel Jacobs, and if he’s licensed, we can’t just rip that contract up and say, ‘Sorry mate, we’re not going through with the fight.’ The fact is he’s gone to court and won in court, and he’s no longer suspended. We’re doing the fight, and we’re happy to do the fight.

“We’ve done nothing wrong. The argument was, ‘Oh, you’re going to do a fight with a suspended fighter in another state.’ I mean, now, that’s completely, factually incorrect. So in that respect, it puts the matter to bed from a Matchroom point of view. How Chavez deals with it from here, obviously he’s his own fighter, he’s got his own promoter, he’s got his own manager. That’s not really my business. All I know is he’s not suspended in any other state, and he’s licensed by Arizona. Onward we go.”

The Nevada commission declined to comment on the situation. Arizona commission chairman Scott Fletcher told ESPN in a statement that he was aware of the Nevada court decision to grant to the temporary restraining order and that “based on the court’s ruling we are looking forward to a great event this Friday at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. Both athletes have tested negative [in prefight testing handled by Drug Free Sport] for all performance enhancing drugs, masking agents and illicit drugs and will be subject to additional tests.”

Daniel Jacobs says he’s a happy fighter now he’s campaigning at Super-Middleweight as he makes his debut at 168lbs against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday night, live on DAZN on US and Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING FROM $25 (plus booking fee)
 Jacobs (35-3 29 KOs) closed the book on his time at Middleweight in May with a unification clash with Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, and the two-time World ruler now embarks on his quest to become a two-weight World champion.

The ‘Miracle Man’ begins that journey in Phoenix against Chavez Jr (51-3-1 33 KOs) the Mexican star that is also hunting two-weight World honors, but Jacobs has warned the 168lbs division that the extra weight moving up has made a huge difference to his mood in camp.

“It’s been amazing,” said Jacobs. “I’ve been able to be genuinely happy, to focus only on training and focus only on my skillset and not on the idea of cutting 10 to 15 pounds before the weigh in. So, it’s a big deal for me and I’m happy and I’m looking forward to showing everyone in the world that it wasn’t an excuse last time around. 

“It was the actual fact of me cutting the weight and that would make a difference in the previous fights that I’ve been having. So now you’re going to see, in my opinion, a better version of myself and I look forward to that.

“I’m able to be a lot freer when it comes to putting more food and necessary foods in my body. I don’t have to limit myself and most importantly, I don’t have to go through that weight cut process that always drains me the 48 hours before the fight. 

“I think with this last fight; it really took a toll on me. Obviously, we know the stipulations. I was in a contract with my last bout, so that was a clear indication for me that maybe I need to try and test the waters in 168 pounds just to give myself an opportunity to be myself, to be 100 per cent and camp has been beautiful.”
Chavez Jr and Jacobs clash on a huge night of action in Phoenix as Julio Cesar Martinez takes on Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC World Flyweight title. The Welterweight division is in focus on the card as Maurice Hooker starts his quest to become a two-weight World champion as he moves up to Welterweight and takes on Uriel Perez on his bow at 147lbs. Josh Kelly is one of the stand out talents in the Welterweight division, and he meets Winston Campos as he closes in on a clash with European champion David Avanesyan at the start of 2020. Olympic gold medal man Daniyar Yeleussinov is another Welterweight star on the card and he looks to impress in his ninth pro outing against Alan Sanchez. Gabriel Rosado will have a keen eye on the main event as he fights for the 38th time as a pro against Humberto Ochoa while Brit star Liam Smith continues his charge to a second World title reign in a ten round clash with Roberto Garcia. Three of Matchroom Boxing USA’s bright young things complete the stacked card in Nikita Ababiy, Reshat Mati and Raymond Ford.

ECCENTRIC JAPANESE HEAVYWEIGHT Kyotaro Fujimoto has left the jokes behind as he gets serious ahead of his December 21st battle with Daniel Dubois.

After igniting a war of words with the Greenwich bruiser following a bizarre Tokyo press conference, Fujimoto has promised that he is getting himself in “top physical condition” for the Heavyweight scrap.The 21-1 contender got himself some serious attention after the press event in his native Japan as he compared Daniel to a “bear” and unveiled a man in a panda suit as his “sparring partner”.

But once ‘Dynamite’ snapped back by threatening a “show-stopping performance” and warning Fujimoto should “be careful” it appears the Japanese fighter knuckled down to the task at hand.

Asked how his preparations had been going, Fujimoto revealed he had upped sticks to America and added: “Since coming to the US for training camp I’ve been getting in top shape both mentally and physically.”

“This fight is very important for me. I’ve come a long way to get here and I believe it is going to be a very tough fight.”

Fujimoto, the #13 ranked Heavyweight with the WBA, admitted watching videos of Dubois’ fights in the lead up to the Copper Box showdown but said he hadn’t been doing anything particularly special in training.

“Not really no” he said, “mainly just sparring with big guys like Dubois”.

At 6’5” and weighing over 17st at the last count, Daniel will be one of the bigger men Fujimoto has ever faced.

The smaller man did suggest however that he was looking at ways of making his experience pay dividends once the two square off.

“He’s a very young fighter, so he fights energetically. I’m working on how to overcome that.” he said cryptically.

That energy has led Daniel to be considered by many to be the most exciting young prospect in the sport and helped him accumulate a record of 13-0 with 12 KO’s – a staggering 92% knockout ratio.

Besting ‘Dynamite’ is no easy feat, but one thing that Fujimoto is keen to do is put on an impressive display for the UK fans and make his home support proud.

“In a country like England, where boxing is very popular, I want to make a good impression.”

He continued: “I’m going in there to fight and make everyone in Japan proud. I promise to put on a good fight and win.”

With the serious business having begun, fans across the world have less than 3 weeks to wait to find out whether Fujimoto is the man to stop the feared Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois.

——–

 ALSO ON THE SHOW

Unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (13-0) looks to continue his path of destruction against Japan’s Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1). The WBC Silver Heavyweight championship and the WBO International Heavyweight belts will be on the line.
Sunny Edwards (13-0) fights for the vacant British super flyweight title against former amateur teammate Marcel Braithwaite (9-1), with Light Heavyweight prospect and Love Island star Tommy Fury (2-0) making his long awaited return to the boxing ring after winning the hearts of the nation on the popular ITV reality television show over the summer. 

Tickets from £40 are now on sale via Seetickets and will be available via Ticketmaster shortly

Ticket prices:

£250 – Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier  

Tickets for the Super-Middleweight blockbuster between Daniel Jacobs and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday December 20 go on pre-sale at 10am MST on Wednesday November 12.

Jacobs (35-3 29 KOs) moves up to Super-Middleweight in a bid to become a two-weight World ruler having twice been king at 160lbs. Two-weight champion is the same goal for Chavez Jr (51-3-1 33 KOs) too and that journey starts in the same venue his legendary father closed the book on his storied career in September 2005.

Tickets for the event start at $25 (plus booking fee) and go on pre-sale at 10am MST at https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/19005766D115614C with the codes ‘JACOBS’, ‘CHAVEZ’ and ‘MBUSA’.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am MST on Thursday November 13 at https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/19005766D115614C

An announcement on the undercard will be made next week.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr missed a drug test which put a proposed December 20 bout against Daniel Jacobs in Jeopardy.

Bob Bennett, the executive director of the Nevada commission, told ESPN on Friday that Chavez has been temporarily suspended and would be required to appear before the commission at a hearing scheduled for Nov. 20.

“I have nothing to hide. I’m ready for any test,” Chavez told ESPN Deportes about turning down the test. “The anti-doping guy came here (to the gym) angry. He did not show any credentials as they are supposed to do. Any day I can do the test if they guarantee me it’s the same way for Jacobs. I don’t understand because I have nothing official for the fight.”

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing Managing Director:

“Welcome welcome and what an honour it is to be sitting here in Madison Square Garden in the theatre, where I’ve only managed to get to the theatre, in terms of promoting. I’ve promoted at this great venue right here, twice, Danny Jacobs winning the IBF Middleweight World championship, also Demetrius Andrade defending his World title in January, but now we upgrade to the big daddy, the Mecca of boxing at Madison Square Garden – the big arena. 

“You will see one of the great atmospheres in this country for boxing on Saturday night. Around 8,000 Brits are coming here to sing Sweet Caroline, to drink your bars dry and to show you how to create an amazing atmosphere. There’s just a few hundred tickets left now, we will have a complete sellout on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. If you haven’t got your tickets, you need to get them very quickly. We needed to produce an undercard that we could all remember. I’m so excited, I can’t even imagine how excited these people are to get the chance to box there in, for some of them, career-defining fights. As always, it will be streamed live on DAZN in America and for the UK fans Sky Sports Box Office. What a night you have got in store.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing:

“It’s another special sporting weekend ahead. What a special arena this is, the most famous in the world. AJ is here lighting up New York with posters everywhere, I thought the workout at Brookfield Place was fantastic yesterday down in the financial district. There’s a real buzz around the city and it’s an honour to be here again and it’s magnificent to have so much talent on display on Saturday night. 

“Tommy Coyle is bouncing around like a little boy, he’s so happy to be here. It’s a fantastic story, the boy from Hull who’s come all the way here to New York and tackling Chris Algieri, a great talker and a great fighter himself. What a way to get things started, I’m really looking forward to seeing two of our great hopes Joshua Buatsi and Josh Kelly in action, I believe both of them are going the whole way. It’s wonderful having Katie Taylor attempting to become the undisputed champion and saving the toughest until last in the WBC Champion Delfine Persoon, that is going to be some fight and some test for Katie.

“Callum Smith the leading Super-Middleweight after that terrific display in the World Super Series against George Groves. It is time to get Callum back on our screens, it has been a long time but we’re really looking forward to getting him going again and he’s got a tough challenge in Hassan N’Dam, who I’ve known a long time. What an opportunity they’ve all got on the big stage before the big boys go to work. Enjoy it everybody. It’s going to be a super event on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday.”

Callum Smith – Liverpool, England – 25-0, 18 KOs – defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam:

“I feel good, I feel excited. This is a new chapter of my career. Everything previously was the journey to become a World Champion and now I’ve achieve that let’s see what more I can achieve. 

“There’s no better place to start my journey as a World Champion than Madison Square Garden. It’s such an iconic fight venue with a lot of history. To add my name to a lot of the Brits that have boxed here over the years is going to be special for myself. 

“I’m excited and I’m looking forward to putting in a big performance. I’ve been out a little longer than I would have liked to be but I want to make up for lost time. I want to get back and remind people how good I am.

“There is talk of massive names to fight in the future but to secure them fights I’ve got to win this weekend. Big fights excite me and motivate me. I want to maximise my potential and achieve as much as I can. All of that starts on Saturday.

“Hassan is a good fighter, very experienced, a former World Champion himself and only the better fighters have beat him. I believe I am the best Super-Middleweight in the world and if that’s true I should beat Hassan, and beat him well, looking good doing it.”

Hassan N’Dam – Monte Carlo, Monaco – 37-3, 21 KOs – challenging Callum Smith for the WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles:

“Hello everyone. First of all I would like to thank Eddie Hearn. Thanks to my team for all of the work they do for me. Thanks to my wife and thanks to everyone for being here this morning for this press conference. 

“My trainer told me: ‘You tell me everyday you want to face the best in the world. Why do you need to think about this? You have an opportunity to fight on a big card at Madison Square Garden. Make your dream come true!’

“He has something that I want. I want to be ‘Super’ champion.

“This is my first time at this level at Super-Middleweight so I don’t know how I’m going to feel. But I feel good right now. I think I have experience for this kind of match and this event. Madison Square Garden is somewhere that everyone dreams of fighting at. My experience will be very important to this match.”

Katie Taylor – Bray, Ireland – 13-0, 6 KOs – fighting Delfine Persoon for the Women’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World:

“The minute I turned professional I wanted to become the undisputed champion, this was always my goal. I nearly pinch myself that I have this opportunity at the Mecca of boxing Madison Square Garden, it can’t get any bigger than this. I’m ready to make history and I’m ready to perform on Saturday night. This is what I’ve always wanted. 

“Delfine Persoon is a fantastic champion and this is exactly what boxing needs, it’s champion against champion, the best vs. the best. This isn’t just what women’s boxing needs, this is what boxing needs. I’m definitely expecting the toughest test of my career but I do feel prepared for this challenge. I’ve had a really tough training camp over the last two months preparing for this fight. 

“We’re both here to make history for our nations, we’re both here to perform and it’s going to make for a very exciting fight. This is by far the biggest night of my career, this is the pinnacle of boxing to have all five belts,  the Ring Magazine belt is up for grabs as well, this is what every fighter dreams of. I understand how big this fight is and the magnitude of this event. This is why I box, these are the fights that I always wanted and I’m ready to make history.”

Delfine Persoon – Roeselare, Belgium – 43-1, 18 KOs – fighting Katie Taylor for the Women’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World:

“Belgium is a small country, I think New York is bigger than Belgium! Boxing as a sport in Belgium is not recognised so I’m the first boxer that can make history for the Belgian boxing sport. For me it’s very exciting. 

“I think I will be the first Belgium boxer that can take all of the belts. I like it, its my passion. I want to do everything for it. I never thought I’d have the chance, we are ready and we go for it.

“Im expecting a tough fight, she has a lot more experience in amateur fighting, there was no national team for me in Belgium so it was no possible for me to go to World or European championships.

“Katie Taylor is an Olympic champion. I can compete with an Olympic champion and hopefully beat an Olympic champion.”

“I want to do everything in my boxing career and now I have the chance to do this.”

Josh Kelly – Sunderland, England – 9-0, 6 KOs – defending his WBA International Welterweight title against Ray Robinson:

“I feel blessed to be here and to get a chance to perform on a World stage like this is truly a blessing. Not many kids from Sunderland get this chance so I’m taking it with both hands. I’ve worked hard and I feel I’m ready for this step up. I know Ray couldn’t be here today because of family problems, family first and I wish him all the best with that. 

“I’m here now and I’m ready to put a performance on on Saturday. I really can’t wait to get in there and dance underneath those lights. It’s a bit surreal but I’m excited, I’m going to enjoy it, I’m going to take it all in and I want to perform – that’s the main thing. I can’t wait.

“The last fight he had was against Kavaliauskas and he was ranked highly. He was a tough opponent for Ray and a lot of people thought he won that fight. This is a big step up. Ray Robinson will give me a test. There won’t be any room for complacency in there on Saturday and I’m going to get the job done and come away with the W, sit back and watch the rest of the card and hopefully the rest of the British fighters do the same.”

Joshua Buatsi – Croydon, England – 10-0, 8 KOs – defending his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Marco Antonio Periban:

“This is a good opportunity. Like you said, Periban is a well-known Mexican fighter. He’s going to come and bring experience to the table. People are curious and everyone is intrigued to see what is going to happen so it’s up to me to go out there and put on a good show. I was hoping he would be here because I haven’t seen him but we’ll see each other face-to-face at the weigh-in and Saturday night it happens. 

“I think anyway it comes man. I’ve prepared to do ten rounds, if it goes the distance cool, if I sense any vulnerabilities or any opportunities there I’ll be there to take them. If it goes the distance cool, if it doesn’t then happy days. 

“It was good being in Miami. It was the first time I’ve been in the US overall so it was a good experience seeing how Joshua does things leading up to a fight like this. As always I’m observing and seeing how things are done so one day when I’m in that position I can do the same thing.”

Chris Algieri – New York, USA – 23-3, 8 KOs – defending his WBO International Super-Lightweight title against Tommy Coyle:

“I just want to first of all thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing for putting on this amazing event and to my promoter Joe Deguardiafrom Star Boxing, as well as Sky Sports which it is going to be great to be exposed to a whole new fanbase out there. Also to DAZN which is the premier platform for all things boxing now, and a bunch of other things as well. I think it really is the way of the future in terms of where we are right now where networks are starting to fall and apps are starting to become the major thing.

“This fight is a huge opportunity. This is exactly why I came back to the sport. I want to be a World Champion, this fight puts me back in that position so I’ve got to go out there and not only win, but look impressive and angle myself for another World title run. This is why I am here. I’m feeling great, this training camp has been fantastic. I have an opponent in Tommy Coyle that gets me excited to go out there. I really think it’s going to be a fantastic fight. Make sure you tune in. 

“There’s been a lot of talk about a lot of the stuff that I have been doing outside of the ring but I want to go back to everybody talking about what I do inside the ring so on Saturday night I’m looking forward to putting on a great show and coming out with the victory and moving forward.

Joe Deguardia, promoter of Chris Algieri:

“Its a pleasure to be here, this is something really special this fight between Tommy and Chris. I don’t know if it’s going to be the battle of the mics or the battle of the ring, because both of them are great speakers. Chris Algieri’s history is something special, we are as a team pleased to be here Eddie, thank you. DAZN are taking over boxing, it’s the perfect place to watch and be sure to tune in early on DAZN because this is going to be on early. It’s going to be a great fight leading into the World Championship here at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of boxing. It’s always spectacular to be fighting at MSG, there’s no place in the World like it. I’m really looking forward to this fight between Tommy and Chris.

“Chris has been something special behind and outside the ring, between his interviews, between what he’s done as a nutritionist working with all of the fighters. Inside the ring he has been something special as well. I know Chris is hungry to get his title back, he’s never lost at 140lbs and Tommy is standing in the way. Eddie has it right, the winner of this fight probably fights for the championship of the World next.”

Tommy Coyle – Hull, England – 25-4, 12 KOs – challenging Chris Algieri for the WBO International Super-Lightweight title:

“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be fighting at the Mecca of boxing which is Madison Square Garden. I’m so so excited but it’s a huge huge opportunity for me to go on and do something which I probably thought would never happen in my career. 

“With opportunity comes pressure, but without pressure you don’t get diamonds and I genuinely think Saturday night I’m going to go in there and shine like a diamond. I think it’s the right time for me, I’ve improved as a fighter, I’m really coming into my own now and I’m just mega excited. I keep laughing to myself, waiting for someone to tell me that it’s a prank. I’m usually pulling the pranks but it’s happening, I’m here and it’s going off.

“100% this is a very winnable fight. It’s a great fight. Chris Algieri is a fantastic fighter, he’s a better dresser, he dresses fantastic – I like his style. I really really think this is a fight for me where I can really look good. I’m not going to have to go and find him, I just think the styles will gel fantastically and I know I’ve got too much inside.”

Souleymane Cissokho – Bagnolet, France – 8-0, 6 KOs – fighting Vladimir Hernandez in a eight round Super-Welterweight contest:

“Thanks Matchroom, thanks Eddie, thanks everybody. I’m very happy to be here. It’s a very great fight card. I had a great training camp and I can’t wait to show you all who I am. Thanks.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday in Las Vegas Saul “Canelo” Alvarez further unified his undisputed status as world’s best middleweight by narrowly if unanimously decisioning IBF titlist Daniel Jacobs in DAZN’s second-best mainevent of the last two weekends. Canelo did what Canelo does, and if it isn’t worth the $300 million or so his new broadcaster pays him, it’s still worth more than whatever any of his peers makes.

No, the variable Saturday was not Canelo but Jacobs. And Jacobs was no variable at all, turning in another B+ effort – the average of A talent and C audacity – ensuring more generous paydays and flattering profiles to come.

Let’s see if we can mimic Jacobs’ fighting style for a few words.

*

Seems like a good idea might be to start stepping forward and maybe committing a little more, maybe jabbing, or if you’re already jabbing, maybe, you know, start stepping into it and seeing if the other guy’s head mightn’t move back a little or else try seeing if his whole body might, kind of, start moving back or relenting, or maybe relenting isn’t exactly the right term, since boxers, by the way they usually are, don’t tend to be too relenting, however they sometimes seem at times to be, and so it’s probably right to try remembering it seems hitting the other guy is probably as good of an idea for bringing yourself closer to victory as it is for keeping him from, like, going after you too hard if you don’t want him to, but there are also counterpunches that favor his momentum, so, you know, either way?

(Editor’s note: This is indecisive and awful; you have the words, but for God’s sake, you’re afraid to use your vocabulary and, frankly, you write like a bitch.)

Any man who enters a prizefighting ring and doubts for a moment the malice of his opponent is doomed. When a sense of doom pervades any motion by any fighter, it is a spectacle weak as it is unfortunate, but it is tragic, in addition to weak and unfortunate, when the doomed man has more talent than the man dooming him.

*

Most fighters box best when they are happy, not so much in the sense of euphoric as comfortable. They find rhythm, dare we say flow, and that familiar rhythm frees their hands and feet to respond so instantly to the commands from their central nervous systems as to appear mindless, as to fool both onlookers and fighters towards thinking the hands and feet do the processing for themselves.

Daniel Jacobs is an exception to this. He fights best when he is angry. Some of this might be attributable to the physical weakness and subsequent doubt he experienced when his body turned against itself in the form of cancer. More of it is likely attributable to what Dmitry Pirog did to him nine years ago.

In Jacobs’ case, for whatever reason, there is a deep fear of humiliation, and not until an opponent begins to humiliate Jacobs via his own inaction does Jacobs risk the humiliation of what open aggression might get him stretched. In those retaliatory moments, though, when Jacobs fights from a place of deep offense, when he returns fire in a way that says “how dare you!”, he is fine a middleweight as his generation can boast.

But no sooner does Jacobs restore order than he relents once more, satisfied to look good losing a narrow decision, one close enough to keep the money handle cranking for a rehab match then a rematch, rather than chance a humiliating knockout loss by going for another man’s unconsciousness. There were a few times Saturday Canelo knocked Jacobs backwards and used the resulting space to press his advantage. And Jacobs braked that immediately. Canelo stopped, chastened, collected himself, then looked nearly relieved Jacobs was back in his own head, overthinking what might happen if he went further.

These moments were so different from the moments Jacobs went on offense and shoeshined the pitapat till he got hard countered. Jacobs on his shinebox looked put-upon by the task, almost annoyed, joyless robotic: This is what I must do or my corner will lecture me when I get back home. Canelo bought none of it; he knew Jacobs couldn’t possibly decision him in Las Vegas, and so Jacobs’ shoeshining mattered only insofar as it taught Canelo the downbeat upon which Jacobs might best be sandblasted with a counter hook or uppercut.

If all that came through a DAZN stream to a thousand miles from ringside, do not doubt how obvious it was to both men Saturday.

Canelo is not an alltime great, but he is the best thing we’ve got right now. He challenges himself when he needn’t (imagine, for a moment, how many times GGG would lap the welterweight and super welterweight fields had he Canelo’s contractual guarantees as middleweight champion), and he makes reliably entertaining fights. Not great fights, no, not spectacles of such violence and willfulness spectators openly consider the human condition, but reliably entertaining fights. So it has been with him from the beginning, whether collecting a kneeknocker from the other Miguel Cotto in his American television debut, or knobpulling the Amir Khan slurpee machine, Canelo does just a spot more than his critics think he might – and curses them to endure pundits’ hyperbole till the next Mexican holiday weekend.

Canelo was just audacious enough Saturday to make the official scorecards fair. He fought the best prime middleweight he’d yet to fight, too. Our beloved sport has had better standardbearers than Canelo, but recently it also has had much, much worse.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Follow all the action as Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs meet in a middleweight unification bout.  The action starts at 9 PM ET from the T-Mobile Arena with Lamont Roach Jr. taking on Jonathan Oquendo; Joseph Diaz Jr. battling Freddy Fonseca; Vergil Ortiz Jr. fights Mauricio Herrera.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.

Round 1: Canelo has a sleeve on his left knee..Hard right by Canelo..Jab from Jacobs to the body..

Round 2 Good jab from Canelo..Jab to the body..Jab..Hook to the body..Jacobs lands a body shot..Body by Canelo..

Round 3 Right to body from Canelo..Combination from Jacobs…Body work..

Round 4 Both warned for hitting back of the head..Hard jab from Canelo..Counter right

Round 5 Counter hook to body from Canelo…Double jab..Canelo outlanding Jacobs 60-43

Round 6  Jab from Canelo..Good right..

Round 7 Canelo trying to up his punch rate..Combination from Jacobs..Hook to body from Alvarez…Hook from Jacobs

Round 8  Uppercut and body shot from JacobsBody..Combination to body..Right from Alvarez..Straight right..Body shot..Good body shot from Jacobs

Round 9 Body shot from Canelo…Body..3 punch combination..Big left from Jacobs..

Round 10 Left from Jacobs..Hard right from Canelo..Left hook..Good right from Jacobs..Right to body and head…Canelo fighting off the ropes..Good body shots from Jacobs..

Round 11 Right from Canelo…Body work from Jacobs..Body shot and right from Alvarez..

Round 12 Jacobs falls after missing a left hook…Good uppercut from Jacobs..Hook and 3 punch combo from Canelo..3 more from Jacobs..Left from Canelo..Uppercut..Body..

Canelo landed 188-466    Jacobs was 131 – 649

115-113 twice and 116-112 for CANELO ALVAREZ

Round 1 Herrera trying to jab

Round 2 Right from Ortiz..Jab..Counter right..Hard right rocks Herrera,,,Hes hurt..RIGHT AND DOWN GOES HERRERA AT THE BELL

Round 3 Wicked left hook from Herrera…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES HERRERA…FIGHT OVER

Round 1 Good left from Diaz.  Jab..2 Body shots..Straight left

Round 2 Left from Diaz…

Round 3 Left to body from Diaz…Combination and uppercut..2 lefts..Right hook to body..

Round 4 Diaz boxing well

Round 5 Left from Diaz…Right and left..Right hook

Round 6 Hard 3 punch combination…Hard body shot…Uppercut..Left…..COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES FONSECA

Round 7 Jab from Fonseca…Diaz POUNDING AWAY AND FONSECA’S CORNER THROWS IN THE TOWEL

Round 1 Roach lands a left hook..Body work…Right from Oquendo…Hard Hook..Blood from nose of Roach

Round 2  Oquendo lands a right..Lead right from Roach..Combination..Right..

Round 3 Right from Oquendo…Body shot..Right from Roach..Right..Good body shot..

Round 4 Good body shot hurts Roach..Right from Roach

Round 5 Left to body from Oquendo..Body shot from Roach..Left..Blood from nose of Roach

Round 6

Round 7 Right from Oquendo..Right from Roach..uppercut

Round 8 OQUENDO DOCKED A POINT FOR A HEADBUTT…Good jab from Oquendo..Hook from Roach..Exchanging body shots..Hooks from Roach

Round 9 Counter right from Roach…Another..Hard hook shook Oquendo..Right..

Round 10 Oquendo lands a body shot..Good right..Left and right from Roach…Good right from Oquendo

97-92 TWICE AND 96-93 FOR LAMONT ROACH JR.

By Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS – A fight in need of a buzz suddenly got some.

Daniel Jacobs literally shoved some buzz into the proceedings at a formal weigh-in Friday for the middleweight-title bout Saturday against favored Canelo Alvarez at T-Mobile Arena.

There’s debate about whether it was spontaneous or planned. There’s also a fair argument about what to call it. On the combat scale, it ranks somewhere between a fracas and a dust-up. A brawl, it was not, although it could have turned into one if the opposing corners had not intervened.

Whatever it was, it woke up a weigh-in crowd of a few thousand fans, who had not heard any trash talk from either camp until the fighters made weight, stepped off the scale and stood in front of each other for the ritual face-to-face showdown.

Jacobs leaned forward. Canelo leaned forward. They were forehead-to-forehead when Jacobs shoved Alvarez. Emotion woke up a napping crowd. Yawns became cheers, then jeers. Canelo angrily pointed at Jacobs. Then, he held up his hands, looking as if he wanted to throw a few bare-knuckled blows more the 24 hours before opening bell. Boxing is nothing if not tribal. Finally, the opposing tribes had something to talk about it. Something to anticipate.

No wonder, Jacobs promoter Eddie Hearn can be seen smiling in the background of all those photos that were immediately posted. It was just the kind of thing that might lead to some new subscriptions to DAZN, the streaming service that will carry the fight (6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET).

But pushing and threatening gestures were just part of the scene. Angry obscenities followed. There was talk about mothers from each fighter. Let’s just say that neither Jacobs nor Canelo wished the other guy’s mom a Happy Mother’s Day.

“I won’t back down,’’ said Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs), who was at 160 pounds.

“He’s scared,’’ said Canelo (51-1-2, 35 KOs), who was a half-pound lighter at 159.5

Both said a lot more, of course. And each word was a sure sign that pretense had finally left the building. Violence awaits.

The lingering question is how, or even if, the stormy exchange will affect the outcome. One big punch from either fighter could make the flare-up oh-so forgettable. But there a theory that Jacobs initiated it in an attempt to rattle Canelo. That’s hard to do. If anything, Canelo is unflappable. On the safe side and the dangerous side of the ropes, he is all business. Emotion is there. It was in a brief exchange with Gennady Golovkin at their weigh-in last September. Canelo won that one by a decision narrow enough to be controversial.

After the victory, there is video of Canelo gesturing toward the sound of scattered boos from the crowd. He places a forefinger across his lips. Silence, he says. The victory and the gesture were another reminder that he is fighter always under control. Jacob’s shove looked a little bit like a psychological play, an attempt perhaps to upset Canelo’s trademark poise. Lose control is a sure way of losing the fight.

One thing is certain: the fight began Friday at the weigh-in. For Canelo. For Jacobs. And for fans.

CANELO VS JACOBS – FREE VIEW BROADCAST

Saturday May 4th, 2019 – 6:00 PM EST

Available for broadcast. LIVE from Las Vegas during the undercards of Canelo vs Jacobs.

4 LIVE Fights

Opener

Super Middleweights

Alexis Espino vs Billy Wagner

1-0 (1KO)? 9-0-1 (3 KOs)

WBC International Silver Featherweight Title

Aram Avagyan vs Francisco Esparza

8-0-1 (4KOs) 9-0-1 (3 KOs)

Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title

John Ryder vs Bilal Akkawy

27-4 (15 KOs) 20-1-1 (16 KOs)

WSNBC Silver Welterweight Title

Sadam Ali vs Anthony Young

27-2 (14 KOs) 20-2 (7 KOs)

Plus, Interviews and other highlights from Canelo vs Jacobs fight week with the fighters, celebrities, and others LIVE from Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (May 1, 2019): The undercard of the spectacular Canelo vs. Jacobs card hosted a press conference featuring Vergil Ortiz Jr. (12-0, 12 KOs), Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-8, 7 KOs), Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (28-1, 14 KOs), Freddy Fonseca(26-1-1, 17 KOs), Lamont Roach Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs), and Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs).The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s press conference:

Vergil Ortiz Jr., Super Lightweight Prospect:

“I trained really hard for this fight. I was training hard before I knew I was fighting Mauricio Herrera. I was sparring 10 rounders in February. I’m more than ready for this fight. Mauricio has never been stopped. I’ve stopped everybody. I’m more than ready to go into this fight. I’m prepared. Mauricio has been in there with Danny Garcia and Jose Benavidez, who I do believe he beat, and in my eyes he is a world champion. We all know who won. But those guys weren’t me. He didn’t fight me, he didn’t fight Vergil Ortiz. We’re going to see how the fight plays out May 4th.

“About my dad. I really wouldn’t be here without him. He didn’t have the best childhood growing up and he made sure he did everything in his power that I did. I don’t think his dad was there for him when he grew up but he made sure he was there for me. My mom wasn’t there. He played both parts. That’s something you don’t see all the time. Usually it’s the mom who stays with the kid. My dad is the one who stayed with me, was there for me. Thank you dad, I love you.”

“On a more serious note, I can’t wait to eat tacos after this fight. I’m hungry. Other than that, hopefully after this fight, I get a world title shot soon. There’s a couple fights out there. Like, Maurice Hooker, we’re both with DAZN. So, Eddie, make the fight with Maurice Hooker happen please? We’re both from Dallas, we’re both on DAZN, I grew up watching Maurice Hooker on Golden Gloves, he knows me as well. In a couple years, I’ll take on Errol Spence too. I don’t mean that like I’m going to go through everybody. I just believe in my ability.”

Shouting out to Miguel Cotto in the crowd: “I want to thank Cotto. He was one of my favorite fighters growing up, my dad based my style off of Cotto. I don’t know if he knew that.”

Mauricio Herrera, Former Interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion:

“This fight is really motivating. As many of you know my career has gone through ups and downs. In 2014 when I had fought Danny and felt I’d been robbed and then had the chance to win a WBA interim title which I won, and then later that same year, I got robbed again. That really left me in a bad place. I didn’t care for boxing and I was unmotivated. A lot of the fights you see where they’re close and I look bad in, it’s because I’m unmotivated in those fights. I’m slowly getting my motivation back.”

“This kid Ortiz has 12 wins and 12 knockouts, undefeated. On Saturday I’m really motivated. I do want to bring my career back. I trained really hard. You’re going to see I’m not an old lion. And if I’m an old lion, I’m a hungry lion. Come Saturday, you’re going to see a great show. Don’t tune me out. Saturday, you’ll see the Maestro comeback.”

Joseph Diaz Jr., Super Featherweight Contender:

“I’m going to go out there and showcase that I’m the next superstar in boxing. Freddy, I appreciate you coming down from Nicaragua but come Saturday night you ain’t gonna get that victory bro. You’re going to go home sad with a couple black eyes. I’m very, very focused. I’ve been training my ass off. 2018, I dealt with a lot of adversity. My dream is to become a world champion, and 2018 really hurt my heart. I was really at rock bottom. Just being focused and having good family supporting me through the rough times, it really meant a lot to me, it made me more motivated, it made me more into a savage and into a beast. I’ve been training my ass off and I’m very determined to turn into a champion by the end of the year. Come May 4th, I’m going to show you that I’m the real deal.”

“Everybody says I have a sno-cone head now but it’s all good.”

Freddy Fonseca, Super Featherweight Contender:

“I know the challenge I have in front of me, I know that JoJo is the favorite, but we’re coming in the best conditions to ensure victory for Nicaragua. I’m very happy for this opportunity because it’s my opportunity to show that I will be a world champion by beating JoJo Diaz.”

Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy:

On Vergil Ortiz Jr.: “Vergil Ortiz is a top prospect in boxing. I’ve said it before. There’s other good prospects out there but the skills this kid has, I haven’t seen in a long time and I’ve been promoting boxing for 20 years. He’s incredible, he can do it all. This is a tough test. This a real test for him. I was a little worried when Robert Diaz came into my office and said Mauricio will fight him. I was worried but I believe in his abilities. In order to beat Mauricio Herrera and to prove he’s a tough prospect moving into a contender status, he’s going to have to be victorious. This is the biggest test of his career. Where else, a better place, than the T-Mobile Arena here in Vegas. We’ll see if he’s ready to shine or not.”

On Mauricio Herrera: “Mauricio Herrera is a tough, tough veteran. He’s fought everyone in this sport. He gave Danny Garcia life and death in Puerto Rico. He’s been doing that for a long time. You name it, he’s fought the who’s who in boxing. He’s here to prove he can still compete at a very high level. He’s fighting a tough, tough prospect that’s coming up. He’s faced every kind of style, every kind of fighter in different positions, world champions, prospects, contenders. He’s ready to put on a show on Saturday.

On JoJo Diaz Jr.: “He’s ready to fight for a title, but he’s gotta get past Saturday’s test. There are a few options for him if he gets past this test, and we feel that for the next fight, he should be able to fight for the title. There are a few champions there lurking around.”

Lamont Roach Jr., WBO International Super Featherweight Champion:

“The time is now for those who haven’t seen me. This is the type of opponent that we’ve been waiting for, for a long time. This is where we are going to capitalize and show that we are ready for a world title in the 130-pound division. This is not the first time I’ve faced a veteran and probably not the last time. We trained our asses off in camp, we had good sparring, good strength and conditioning camp, trained mentally, and I’m just ready to be a world titlist and it starts with Saturday night.”

Jonathan Oquendo, NABO Super Featherweight Champion:

“This will be a unification fight because I have the NABO Super Featherweight belt while Lamont Roach has the WBO International Super Featherweight belt. The whole world knows all the hard wok I put in for this Saturday. We know the quality of fighter that he is, we know the capabilities he has. But I like challenge. He likes to fight, I like to fight, and we’re going to make sure we have a great battle and a victory for Puerto Rico.”

Hector Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions:

“This Saturday, we’re going to have a big fight between Jonathan Oquendo and Lamont Roach. This will be a unification fight between international titles because Jonathan Oquendo is the proud owner of the NABO Super Featherweight belt, and after that, he’ll be looking for a world title. He has done all the necessary preparation to ensure triumph and a victory for all of Puerto Rico.”

John Ryder, Interim WBA Super Middleweight Contender:

“With Lemieux, it was a big upset but we got a great replacement in Bilal Akkawy. I think we’re all in for a real treat come Saturday night.”

Bilal Akkawy, Super Middleweight Contender:

“This is a big opportunity. It’s an opportunity for me to prove myself. It’s a world title fight so there’s no way I would turn down a fight like that. I’m going to make the most out of the opportunity come Saturday.”

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport:

“This is a big fight for the mandatory position of Callum Smith. It’s a huge opportunity for John Ryder. He’s turned his career in extraordinary fashion. We know what a tough fight this is. We knew David Lemieux was a tough fight but we know Bilal Akkawy comes in as a young man, extremely hungry, very dangerous, and this is going to be a very explosive fight.”

Sadam Ali, Welterweight Contender:

“I’m excited for this fight. It’s on a big card. 26-1 underdog? That’s crazy! I’m excited, ready for any opponent, any style that comes to me. I understand it’s a big opportunity for him, he’s been waiting for a moment like this, I know he’s coming strong, but I’m excited to go out there and shine. I’m ready to go.”

Anthony Young, Welterweight Contender:

“As a person, all I can ask for is opportunity. Getting the opportunity to fight a former world champion in Sadam Ali, who defeated a legend. They got me 26-1 underdog, so if you’re looking to win some money, put it on me. Sadam is Muslim, I’m muslim, that’s my brother, but Saturday, one of us has got to go, and it ain’t gonna be me.”

Joseph Markowski, Executive Vice President of DAZN North America:

“Saturday night is not just important because we’re unifying titles in the middleweight division. When you put on events of this magnitude, you know you will have a significant audience and a perfect opportunity to introduce future headliners to sports fans. At DAZN, we’re invested in the sport of boxing – not just its biggest names. And while we put great emphasis and resource into fights like May 4, we put on more than 100 fight nights a year and know how important it is to build the next generation.”

“We are committed to these boxers, making sure we broadcast their bouts so fans can witness their talents as they ascend to becoming main event fighters.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Ortiz vs. Herrera is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305 and $200, not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305 and $200 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-
7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com
or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZNinto a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LAS VEGAS (May 1, 2019): Following today’s final press conference, Canelo vs. Jacobs undercard fighters staged an open workout for fans at the MGM Resort and Casino. Those participating included Vergil Ortiz Jr. (12-0, 12 KOs), Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-8, 7 KOs), Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (28-1, 14 KOs), Freddy Fonseca (26-1-1, 17 KOs), Lamont Roach Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs), Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs), and Sadam “World Kid” Ali (27-2, 14 KOs). Canelo vs. Jacobs will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s workout:

Vergil Ortiz Jr., Super Lightweight Prospect:

On fighting on the Canelo-Jacobs undercard: “This is a dream come true. I am Canelo’s co-main event. I am the only one who can say that, other than my opponent. But it’s just us and this is a big opportunity. I prepare for every fight like it will be my hardest fight. In fact, this probably will be my hardest fight, but I am ready to go. I am fighting in front of a bigger audience now that I am in the co-main event. Fighting on DAZN, a lot of people will be watching. I am excited for this opportunity. I am feeling good. I feel hyped up. Usually I am tired but I am not this time. It is weird. But I am ready to go.”

Mauricio Herrera, Welterweight Contender

On fighting on the Canelo-Jacobs undercard: “I have been here before, but it is always an honor to be on a Canelo undercard. And the co-main event is a blessing as you have more eyes on you. It is an honor to have this opportunity. What better spot than fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Vegas, on the undercard of the biggest fight of the year? It’s amazing and I am excited for Saturday.”

On facing an undefeated fighter: “I have fought undefeated fighters. It might be a young lion against an old lion but we are two lions and we are going to go toe-to-toe. You will see this lion very hungry and you will see me go get it. He will be the aggressor and I will do my thing like I always do. I will pull out all of my tricks and get the win.”

Joseph Diaz Jr., Super Featherweight Contender

On fighting on the Canelo-Jacobs undercard: “It means a lot to me. I want to thank everyone who came out here for it. It is a huge weekend for us Latinos. I am so happy to be a part of this huge event. Viva Mexico, let’s get it, baby.

On trash talking leading up to this fight: “I really feel this way. I am on a whole different level. Last year I had two chances to be World Champion, but I didn’t get it. It is my ultimate goal to be a champion and I am ready. I feel a lot stronger at this weight class. Freddy tried to flinch at me and scare me yesterday, but I am a beast and I will show him that. Believe that.

On his preparation: “I am a lot stronger. I am more confident in my abilities now than I was before. Now I am on a different level. I am on that elite level, the level with guys like Tevin Farmer. I am ready. And this guy Freddy is good but he is not on my level and I am going to prove that on Saturday. Underestimate me with this hair color, it’s cool, because I will see him Saturday and show him who I am in the ring.”

Freddy Fonseca, Super Featherweight Contender

On the trash talk leading up to the fight: “They may say JoJo is the favorite but in the ring there will be nothing to save him. We all want to win. He, like me, wants to win but on Saturday I will be the one to walk away with the win. He is a great fighter but I have a great game plan and we are going to get the victory for Nicaragua.”

On fighting on the Canelo-Jacobs undercard: “This is a dream for every boxer to be here. I am grateful for this opportunity and to everyone who made this possible.”

Lamont Roach Jr., WBO International Super Featherweight Champion

On his preparation: “Be ready for fireworks. Mentally, I have been preparing. I am training my body and my mind. I want to get out of the ring with the win, no questions asked. I have a great game plan and I can’t wait to see it all unfold beautifully in the ring on Saturday night.”

On fighting on the Canelo-Jacobs undercard: “I am ready, I am thankful for the opportunity to be here. I want to put on a show on the biggest stage. It means a lot to be here. I want to thank Golden Boy and my whole team. I am appreciative to everyone who made this possible and I want to show the world who I am.”

Jonathan Oquendo, NABO Super Featherweight Champion

On what this moment means: “I am very happy. I am very content. This is the tenth time to have this opportunity to fight here at MGM in Las Vegas. It is a blessing. I am a believer in God. This is my second opportunity to win a world title and I am here for that very reason. I believe I am here to walk away a world champion.”

On fighting on the Canelo-Jacobs undercard: “It is very exciting. I want to thank Golden Boy for this opportunity, and I am happy to be here fighting at this huge event. There are a lot of fans of mine and boxing fans in Puerto Rico and I am excited that they can watch on DAZN. I hope they all tune in to watch me perform.”

Sadam Ali, Welterweight Contender

On his mindset going into his fight on Saturday: “I am excited, ready to perform. There is a mega fight coming this Saturday and I am excited to see what happens in the Canelo vs. Jacobs fight but first I will go put on a show and get a win. I know he is going to come prepared, but I have been preparing hard for this in the gym, too. I have been working on my speed and power because you can have all that power and speed, but you need to know how to use it. I am ready to go.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Ortiz vs. Herrera is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305 and $200, not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305 and $200 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-
7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com
or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZNinto a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LAS VEGAS (May 1, 2019): WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) and IBF Middleweight World Champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) hosted their final press conference today ahead of their 12-round unification fight. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s final press conference:

Canelo Alvarez, WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion

“Look, we’re just ready for Saturday. I’ll repeat to you – I’m ready, I’m ready to continue writing history like I always have.”

“I’m a fighter that’s fought all the styles. What he brings on Saturday night is going to bring the reaction out of me to counter whatever he brings.”

“In boxing, anything can happen. That’s including the knockout. If it’s there, trust me, I’m going to go for the knockout. I don’t care if he’s bigger, stronger, it’s never bothered me. I have the capability. I have the experience to overcome that and more.”

Daniel Jacobs, IBF Middleweight World Champion

“I just feel as if the thirst for this fight is at an all-time high. We are only three days away from a mega fight and it’s such a privilege to be here right before this mega showdown. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me and I’m mostly excited to get in there to show the world that I am the best middleweight of my generation. I finally have an opportunity to prove it, to go against Canelo Alvarez. You guys are going to see fireworks, masterful boxing, skills, dedication, persistence, and grit, most importantly.”

“I’m gonna talk inside the ring and let my fighting speak for itself. To Canelo – let’s put on a good show my brother.”

What has been tougher – preparing for this fight against Canelo or his fight against GGG? “I think mentally, Golovkin started out as the most devastating power puncher and boogeyman of the division. So mentally, he was tougher. Physically, this is much harder preparation because Canelo is very agile, he’s very fast, his offensive onslaught is at an all-time high. It’s a drastic difference. I thought I won the GGG fight and I assure you I will win this fight without controversy.”

“What will take the win will simply be me being the best version of myself. My physical advantages in itself can win me the fight, but I also have the mental capacity. I’m in my prime. I’m the only fighter Canelo has faced since Floyd Mayweather to be in his prime. I’m super confident and I’m going in there with the ability as well.”

Eddy Reynoso, Co-Trainer and Manager to Canelo Alvarez

“Saturday night we have a great fight in a division that’s given boxing historically great fights, and without a doubt Saturday night you’re going to have one of the greatest fights between two of the best fighters, two great champions. Ever since we began our career in boxing with Canelo, we always knew we’d have to take these types of risks in fights. These are the types of fights that catapult you to the top, to the elite level.”

“We have a tremendous challenge in front of us, a tremendous champion in Daniel Jacobs. But this year, our goal is to sweep the middleweight division and win all four belts, and Daniel Jacobs will not obtain that goal.”

Jose “Chepo” Reynoso, Co-Trainer and Manager to Canelo Alvarez

“I would like to give you a little bit of what happened in camp, all the hard work, all the intense work, the long hours of training. Because intensity is what we expect in the fight. And all this hard work is just what gives us the tranquility and the peace of mind that come Saturday night, when his hand is raised, it will reconfirm to everyone that he is the best middleweight on the planet.”

Andre Rozier, Trainer to Daniel Jacobs

“We had a fantastic camp. I’m just happy that Danny has finally reached his pinnacle. This is the point that he has strived to get to since he first began boxing. And, he is ready. I thank Canelo for accepting the challenge. I expect a fantastic battle but as it was just told – it is my birthday, and my son is going to present me with the best birthday present I could ever get by having his hands raised in victory.”

Keith Connolly, Manager to Daniel Jacobs

“A bunch of people have asked me if I’m excited for the fight. I’m most excited to see how this all turns out – the Daniel Jacobs story. I’ve known him for about 15 years since he was a teenager and it’s been an honor to see him grow from the boy that I first met to the man that he is now. This fight is happening at exactly at the right time. He’s physically mature but more importantly, he’s mentally mature. I expect him to embrace everything Saturday night and come out victorious.”

Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy

“This Saturday the #1 and #2 best middleweights on the planet will put everything on the line for one simple reason – to see who is the best. That is boxing at its finest. Indeed, this is the biggest fight in boxing featuring the biggest star in boxing in the biggest place for boxing on the biggest platform for boxing.”

“In life there are challenges that strengthen a person’s character and determine how this person will be remembered. Boxing is no different. The men we have before us today have faced tough challenges that few on the earth can relate too. Outside of the ring these men have already proven what they are made of, but this Saturday, these men will also determine who will be remembered as the best middleweight of their time the only way they know how – with their fists.”

“We are excited to be at the forefront of this new era of boxing with DAZN and look forward to continuing to make boxing more accessible and affordable for fans.”

“Saturday night we expect fireworks, we expect a war, we expect an amazing fight, with two gentlemen who have done an amazing job getting to this point.”

Bernard Hopkins, Golden Boy Partner and Future Hall of Famer

“To Danny Jacobs, I’d like to say this is a historical moment for your team. This is real special. It doesn’t happen in any division but I’m glad it’s happening now. To Canelo, Jacobs, well done. Now let’s take care of business.”

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing

“We just want three simple things. We want to make sure Daniel Jacobs is victorious on Saturday night and we truly believe from the bottom of our hearts that he will be. We want to make sure we spread the gospel that great fights can be made. You can take risks. It’s fun. It’s called sport. That’s what we have to remember. Why these young men started was about greatness. It was how many belts they could gather. Could they reach the Hall of Fame? Could they create a legacy? And, I want the message of Daniel Jacobs to be spread worldwide. The illness and disease of cancer touches all of us. With Daniel Jacobs, you have a message of complete hope to anybody in suffering. Danie Jacobs was paralyzed. He was told he may never walk again, and certainly never fight again. Right now, I want this story to be spread worldwide to look at this fine young man and realize there is hope. If he can do it, you can do it. And on Saturday, I believe he’ll become victorious and become the unified champion of the world.”

“I know right now that this side has a feeling of excitement and nerves going into this weekend because this is a wonderful fight between two great champions and this is what the sport of boxing is all about.”

On the judges for Saturday: “I believe we have four outstanding officials across this fight who are going to give Daniel Jacobs and Canelo Alvarez a complete blank canvas and mutual respect.”

Joseph Markowski, Executive Vice President of DAZN North America

“To be clear, this fight would be on pay-per-view on any other platform – 80, 90, maybe even 100 bucks. But instead of offering this fight for $100, we’ll offer you an entire year of fights for $100 with our annual pass – incredible value in the next couple of months: Canelo vs. Jacobs on May 4, the World Boxing Super Series on May 18, Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight debut on May 25, Anthony Joshua’s U.S. debut on June 1, Gennady Golovkin’s return on June 8, and premium Bellator MMA. And that’s on top of the rest of our 100+ fight nights a year, including the fact that both Canelo and GGG will be back fighting on DAZN in the fall.”

“This weekend is massive for the middleweight division, a truly electrifying fight. It’s also massive for the DAZN business but most importantly for fight fans. On Sunday morning, instead of fans waking up to a $100 bill, those fight fans will have an entire year of content to look forward to. It’s a transformational moment.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Ortiz vs. Herrera is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305 and $200, not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305 and $200 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZNinto a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

Complete pre- and post-fight coverage of the highly-anticipated Canelo vs. Jacobs bout throughout the week leading up the main event on Saturday, May 4 which will air exclusively on DAZN

Telemundo Deportes to livestream the undercard of Canelo vs. Jacobs featuring Golden Boy Promotions’ current and future stars, on Saturday, May 4 starting at 9 p.m. ET; The livestream will be in Spanish and available on Telemundo Deportes app and Telemundo Deportes Facebook page

Titulares y Más presents extensive coverage and special reporting from Las Vegas with co-host Karim Mendiburu onsite

MIAMI, Fla. – April 30, 2019 – Telemundo Deportes, the Spanish-language home of The Biggest, Best, Global Sports, presents special, pre- and post-fight coverage of the anticipated match between Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs with extensive coverage across Telemundo Deportes digital platforms and on Titulares y Más, the network’s signature sports and entertainment show, all week leading to Saturday’s big fight.

Telemundo Deportes’ content and promotion across platforms will drive fans to subscribe to DAZN to watch the Canelo vs. Jacobs middleweight championship. DAZN is the sports streaming app that has made its mark on the U.S. sports landscape by delivering premium boxing and MMA events to subscribers without the additional cost of pay-per-view.

As part of the special coverage, Telemundo Deportes’ app and the Telemundo Deportes Facebook page will live stream the undercard event featuring some of the best current and future stars from Golden Boy including the returns of Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr., Sadam “World Kid” Ali and Lamont Roach Jr., in separate bouts. The coverage will be in Spanish-language on Saturday, May 4 starting at 9 p.m. ET.

In anticipation of the fight, the Telemundo Deportes app and its Facebook page will also present Spanish-language livestream of the press conference as well as the weigh-in event that will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In addition, Telemundo Deportes digital and social media platforms will present extensive content throughout the week leading to May 4, including the latest news around the fighters, analysis, short-form features, public workouts, highlights and recaps.

On television, coverage continues throughout the week on Titulares y Más, featuring special segments and reports from Las Vegas with expert analysis and the latest from Canelo and Jacobs. The week-long coverage plans include all main events such as the fighter arrivals, press conferences, weigh-in and interviews with Canelo, Jacobs and Oscar De La Hoya. Karim Mendiburu will host the late-night sports show from Las Vegas starting Wednesday.

On May 4, Telemundo Deportes’ Premier League coverage on Universo will incorporate special segments during the pre-game show at 2:30 p.m. ET, ahead of the Newcastle vs. Liverpool matchup, with live reports and the latest news and updates from Las Vegas. The comprehensive news and information programming around the big fight will conclude that evening on Titulares y Más with highlights, interviews and reactions from Las Vegas.

The Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs super-fight will be streamed live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas exclusively on DAZN with coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Telemundo Deportes is the U.S. leading sports brand and destination for the biggest, best global sports programming in Spanish-language. It is home to two of the world’s most popular sporting events: the FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the Summer Olympic Games through 2032. It is also the home of the 2019 Copa America. In addition, Telemundo Deportes broadcasts the Premier League, Boxeo Telemundo Ford, the #1 boxing program in Spanish, and Titulares y Más, the #1 sports news, entertainment and commentary show in Spanish, among other recognized sports properties.

LAS VEGAS (April 30, 2019): WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) and IBF Middleweight World Champion
Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) made their grand arrivals today at the MGM Grand Resort and Casino in Las Vegas ahead of their 12-round unification fight. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

They were joined by rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr. (12-0, 12 KOs), Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-8, 7 KOs), Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (28-1, 14 KOs), Freddy Fonseca(26-1-1, 17 KOs), Lamont Roach Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs), and Jonathan Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs) ahead of their respective battles.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s grand arrivals:

Canelo Alvarez, WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion

“To me, wherever I go, the people receive me with all this love and support. That is beautiful. I can’t say enough. It’s just another great experience for me.”

“Every single one of my fights is important. Every single fight marks history for me. It’s another check. [Jacobs] is the second best middleweight in the world, so it’s another step in that direction, to keep writing my history.”

“Yes, I have fought a lot of different styles including future HOF’ers, but Jacobs is a little different. He brings a lot of abilities and talent. It’s much more difficult. But that’s what we prepared and trained for, to come out with our hands raised Saturday night.”

On Jacobs’ reach: “I have the experience. I’ve fought taller fighters, longer, bigger. That’s what we prepared for. We had the right sparring partners, with similar styles. I have the ability to adapt to any fighter, and that’s what I’m prepared to do.”

“Look, nothing’s impossible in life and much less in boxing. I’m prepared. If the KO is there, believe me, I’m going to get it. And if not, I’m prepared for whatever, including going 12 rounds.”

On unifying the division: “For me, it’s the most important. Nobody in Mexico has ever done that, won all four belts in one division, so that’s my motivation. To keep writing history.”

Daniel Jacobs, IBF Middleweight World Champion

On the Vegas crowd and energy: “It seems like a huge Canelo effect but I’m excited for it. It shows you boxing is bigger than ever, and hopefully after this fight, I can win some of these fans.”

“It’s the biggest fight that can be made, especially at the middleweight division. I’m looking forward to displaying great skill Saturday night and I’m looking forward to being victorious.”

“I don’t really feed into anything other than the positive – what I’ve done inside the ring, what I’ve done with preparation, my game plan with my team that we’ve formulated. All the odds, the he say, she say, I keep it to a minimum. I just focus on what the job has to be and that’s to be victorious Saturday night.”

What his loss against GGG taught him: “Well, numerous things. First, you have to go in there and win a fight decisively. I don’t want no controversy. I want to be victorious, and I want all the fans to know I’m the best middleweight in the world.”

“Styles make fights. If you’re any boxing person, you know that, you know that every fight is not going to be the same. You have to approach every fight differently. If I don’t apply my best, I don’t deserve to be there. But I look forward to being victorious.”

“I’ve always envisioned getting my hand raised, I’ve always been vocal about getting the knockout, about the knockout being possible. I have an 80% knockout ratio, so if I get a guy hurt, you know I can get him out of there.”

“I’m self-motivated. When everything was taken away from me, all I wanted was to get back to the sport of boxing. It’s nothing short of a miracle to get to this point. That motivates myself to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

Vergil Ortiz, Super Lightweight Prospect

“I’m really excited. It’s my first co-main event. They gave me a real big opportunity to show what I got and I’m not going to waste it.”

If he feels pressure to maintain his perfect 12-0, 12 KOs record: “I don’t feel pressure at all. As long as I win, and I look good doing it, I’ll be content.”

“[Robert Garcia’s] trained many, many world champions before. He’s been Coach of the Year I don’t how many times. It just speaks for itself. He’s a great coach.”

Having never gone past 5 rounds, what does Garcia tell him in case he does this time?”He tells me it’ll actually benefit me even more. Pretty soon, I’m going to go for a world title and I’m going to need as much experience as I can to win that world title.”

“In sparring, I was already going 10 rounds in February. That was two months ago. I can definitely go two more rounds if I wanted to. I’m definitely one of the hardest workers in boxing, and May 4, it’s going to show. I’m not going to get tired. I’m going to show that I can go even more rounds.”

Being 140 now and going up to 147 by 2020: “It’s a big difference, but I think it’s a big difference that I can easily own up to. I’m already a big 140, so I think I’ll be a pretty good sized 147.”

Mauricio Herrera, Welterweight Contender

Being made the new co-main event: “It’s all the same, I’m ready to go. Last fight, first fight, I’m ready to put on a great show Saturday. It changes nothing.”

“I think the main thing is I bring a different style. I don’t have a rhythm they can follow. No matter how they train, who they train with, they’re not going to fight nobody like me. That’s what throws them off. That’s the main plan Saturday night, be myself.”

On Ortiz Jr.’s 12-0, 12 KOs record: “It doesn’t mean nothing, it doesn’t mean anything to me. I don’t care what he does. It’s what I’m going to do. I don’t care about his record. I just want to go out there and give it my best and give a good fight to the crowd and come out with a win.”

Joseph Diaz Jr., Super Featherweight Contender

“I think my experience is going to show a lot. I know Fonseca, he’s a very dangerous opponent, it’s his first time fighting in the U.S., he’s going to give his all, but I’m destined for greatness, destined to become the champion I’m meant to be before the end of the year.”

“130 is the ideal weight. 126 was very, very hard for me to make the weight. I felt a lot weaker, my body was depleted. I’m much stronger now, more lucid. I’m able to showcase my skill and my talent and it’s all going to show. I’m going for the knockout.”

“We were training for anybody, we were training for the champion Tevin Farmer, Rene Alvarado, we finally got Fonseca. He’s a leftie, a dangerous left. But we trained very hard, focused on power and speed. I’m 120% ready and I’m anxious to get inside that ring.”

Getting Freddy instead of his brother Francisco: “I was shocked. I was getting ready for Francisco Fonseca. Gervonta Davis, Tevin Farmer all fought him. It was going to showcase to everybody that I belong with them. I was getting ready for him and I really wanted the fight, but turns out I’m fighting his brother. He’s a dangerous fighter too, good KO record. He’s still going to be dangerous and a very tough opponent. He’s a leftie as well, so we had to make some adjustments, but like I said, I’m ready for anything. Whatever he brings to the table, I’m ready for it.”

“It’s not going to go past 6 rounds, that’s for sure.”

Freddy Fonseca, Super Featherweight Contender

“I’m very happy and grateful. We’ve been waiting for this opportunity to show people what I’m made of.”

“I’ve known him, in fact I think we debuted as professionals around the same time. I know he boxes well but I think I have the power to make sure the fight ends up in my favor.”

Getting the fight instead of his brother Francisco: “Things happen for a reason. I don’t know why it happened to me, but the opportunity came to me and we’re going to take advantage of it.”

On Diaz Jr. being a fan favorite: “Of course he’s the favorite. But I have the power to finish this fight in any round by knockout, and that’s what’s going to happen to Jojo Diaz Jr.”

Lamont Roach Jr., WBO International Super Featherweight Champion

“It feels great. Just seeing all these people just fills my heart that I get to perform in front of you guys and do what I love to do.”

“Obviously he’s a veteran in the ring. He’s tough, he’s gritty, he has a lot of victories and a lot of experience, but that’s nothing that’s new to me. There’s been plenty of veterans in front of me. I’m definitely going to use my reach and my height but that’s not the only thing I’m going to use. My power, my speed, my mental, I’m going to put it all together and put on a spectacular show.”

“It’s great. In 2016, I fought on the Canelo vs. Khan card, Cinco de Mayo weekend as well here in Vegas. I’m looking to capitalize and advance my career, advance my status, and become world champion.”

On almost becoming an engineer and what’s more difficult for him personally – physics or boxing: “I would say, for me, physics.”

Jonathan Oquendo, NABO Super Featherweight Champion

“It’s nice being in Vegas, I’ve been here a lot for many great events. It’s another Golden Boy Promotions event and we’re just here and ready.”

“I have no issues fighting with a tall fighter; in fact, I find it’s a pleasure. And I’m training with a lot of desire to be a world champion.”

“I don’t fight in a way that’s going to be different. I always do what I can to bring damage to the fighter and we work very hard for that.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Ortiz vs. Herrera is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, and not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing and
https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

Atlantic City, NJ (April 29, 2019) – This Saturday night at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, welterweight, Anthony “Juice” Young will finally get the chance on the world stage to prove he is among the top fighters in the division when he takes on Sadam Ali (27-2, 14 KO’s) on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez – Daniel Jacobs middleweight unification card live on DAZN.

Young of Atlantic City has been a professional for eight-years as he has compiled a respectable mark of 20-2 with seven knockouts, but Saturday will be his first fight on the world stage and outside of the East Coast when he takes on the the 2008 Olympian and former super welterweight champion.

“Training camp has been good. I just fought om March 23rd ( A 6th round stoppage over Juan Rodriguez Jr), so I just took a couple days off and went right back in the gym. I have had a solid six-week camp for this fight,” said Young.

Young feels that he has been overlooked as this is the 1st major opponent that he has faced in his career.

“All that I have ever wanted was an opportunity. This was presented to us, and we jumped on it. I have fought the bulk of my career at home in Atlantic City. I feel there is more pressure in that. I won’t feel any pressure on Saturday. I just know that after Saturday, the whole boxing world will know who I am.”

A win over the well-known Ali is just what Young has been clamoring for, and the 31 year-old popular Jersey Shore based fighter has had his eye on Ali for a long time.

“I have been following Ali for a long time. My goal was to make the Olympic team, and he got on the team in 2008. He’s a great fighter. He is an Olympian, who defeated a legend in Miguel Cotto to become a world champion. I think he was over-matched in terms of size when they put him in with Munguia. He is a world class fighter, but so am I. Saturday, the world will see that. A win will put me on the world stage, and will show that I am a player in the welterweight division. I want to fight everybody. I just want to thank everyone on my team, and I am dedicating this fight to Leavander Johnson and his father Bill. Leavander was the last Atlantic City fighter to get to this stage and Saturday, I will do everyone proud.”

Long-time manager Rich Masini of Masini Boxing Management has carefully but aggressively moved his welterweight prospect, young for eight- years . “I believe Anthony is more then ready for this fight, and will be victorious. Every fighter dreams of the getting the opportunity to change their lives and career. We have a great team with trainer’s Raul “Chino” Rivas, Reggie Lloyd, Rashiem Jefferson and cutman Nick Rosario. Also Anthony’s dad who has helped me navigate his career. His team has always been a pleasure to work with and his father Teany is a big part of our team. His family is also a big part of our team, and they are great people. They will have a strong showing to support him in Vegas,” says Masini

Starting today, MSG Networks will launch “Fight Week,” a full week of boxing programming featuring some of the most classic fights from over the last 35+ years. As part of its week-long boxing coverage, MSG Networks will also air both episodes from the new DAZN two-part, all-access series, “40 Days,” which will take viewers behind-the-scenes of Canelo Alvarez’ training for his upcoming fight with Daniel Jacobs on May 4th. During each episode, boxing fans will get an inside look into the fight prep and personal lives of both Canelo and Jacobs leading into their highly anticipated bout this weekend. Throughout the week, fans will also get to watch Canelo’s most recent fight and first-ever in New York, in which he defeated Rocky Fielding by a third-round knockout at Madison Square Garden in December.

Tonight:

8:00pm on Monday – “40 Days”: Canelo vs. Jacobs – Part 1

8:30pm on Monday – Canelo Alvarez vs. Rocky Fielding at MSG (12/15/18)

9:00pm on Monday – Eleider Alvarez vs. Isaac Chilemba (11/28/15)

Below is a list of some of the other iconic fights that will be airing throughout the week, which will feature legendary fighters such as Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Riddick Bowe and more.

Lennox Lewis vs. Michael Grant – Madison Square Garde (4/29/00)
Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III – Vegas (4/11/95)
Buddy McGirt vs. Pernell Whitaker – Madison Square Garden (3/6/93)
Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe I – Vegas (11/13/92)
Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman – Atlantic City (4/19/91)
Hector Camacho vs. Ray ”Boom Boom” Mancini – Reno (3/6/89)
Alexis Arguello vs. Aaron Pryor II – Vegas (9/9/83)

By Norm Frauenhenim-

The dream is still alive.

So, too, is Jacobs.

He’s back as a cancer survivor.

By now, the Jacobs story is familiar, yet has lost none of its resonance, perhaps more so now than ever as he waits on his May 4 date with Canelo Alvarez at T-Mobile Arena for the unified 160-pound title.

Fighters come back from virtually everything. Adversity provides the drama. There are losses, gun shots, arrests, street brawls, auto accidents and the messy collection of concussions and busted appendages.

Jacobs was ready for all of that. Any prospect is, and Jacobs was as talented and ambitious as anyone in 2010. But he wasn’t ready to fight cancer, not at 23 years old or any other age for that matter.

But there it was in May 2011, 10 months after losing a fifth-round TKO to Dimitry Pirog at Vegas’ Mandalay Bay in July 2010. Just as he was launching a comeback from his first defeat, he got the feared news that has a sense of finality about it.

A cancer diagnosis sounds like a declaration of the end to any career, no matter how promising. There’s no bigger foe, not in the ring anyway. It’s a desperate fight, a lifetime-long fight to stay alive. But how?

After surgery and chemo, Jacobs’ answer was a surprise, at least to everybody at ringside who couldn’t foresee an improbable journey from cancer to contender to champion. It’s a path not often traveled. But Jacobs, the International Boxing Federation’s middleweight champ, has done it, done it all. Some road work would have been seen as a huge victory after he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. But there was no way to envision a road that would take him all the way to a reasonable chance at springing a huge upset in what might be Fight of the Year.

Jacobs said he returned to the gym and ultimately the ring – for the first time in October 2012 — because of one of the game’s enduring commandments. To wit: Don’t quit. He used that to fight and beat cancer. There’s an old line: You can’t play boxing. Jacobs is the living personification of that.

With potential stakes as stark as life or death, Jacobs now sounds as if he emerged from the struggle with that no-quit ethic forged into something even stronger.

“I’m a completely different fighter,’’ Jacobs said this week during a conference call when asked what he thought about returning to the city where he sustained his first loss. “I’m also a completely different person, with a mature mind, with a lot more skills, with a lot more mental strength. So, there’s no fear. There’s not a worry whatsoever when it comes to that.

“But it definitely will be sweet — not to avenge a loss that I’ve had before – (but) just to capitalize and be victorious in the fights where people predict it’s either 50/50 or against one of the best fighters in the world.

“For that reason, and for that reason alone, I’m just excited for it.’’

He’s not back in Vegas, he said, to correct — “patch-up anything that happened in the past.’’

The past, he went on to say, “makes you who you are today.”

An Undisputed Survivor.