Golden Boy’s big plans for Floyd Mayweather’s May 4 pay-per-view just lost some luster with the confirmation that the expected undercard clash of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Austin Trout has been moved to April 20.
The news came abruptly via tweets from Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya and Alvarez himself, confirming he would not agree to fight on the May 4 undercard unless he was guaranteed a Mayweather fight in September (regardless of the Trout fight’s outcome).
At press time, the Alvarez-Canelo fight will be in San Antonio.
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This news literally happened roughly an hour ago so it remains to be seen if this is a good thing or not.
My gut at this point says no.
First off, Canelo is the most popular Mexican fighter in the game at this point. His inclusion on Cinco De Mayo weekend is a no-brainer in bringing out a huge, fun crowd as indicated by the big numbers he put up solo at the MGM Grand last September going against HBO’s Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Sergio Martinez pay-per-view (Canelo set a Showtime record in boxing ratings). Robert Guerrero isn’t going to be enough and the likes of Mayweather, Broner and J’Leon Love isn’t going to set the ticket sales on fire for Cinco De Mayo. That said, Floyd will probably still do his pay-per-view numbers. (***Update*** Leo Santa Cruz and Alfredo Angulo are in talks for the undercard)
On Canelo’s end, this date is the same day stablemates Abner Mares and Daniel Ponce de Leon square off on Showtime in Carson, California. With Canelo-Trout taking place in San Antonio, it looks like Golden Boy will have to go with a split-site show.
I guess we should at least be happy that Canelo-Trout is still happening. More on this story as it develops…
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 