Two weeks out from the big rematch, HBO’s 24/7 revisits the first encounter between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev. The fighters and trainers add their commentary, and we get some never before seen footage of the immediate locker room aftermath. Their camps also detail the strategies for victory on June 17. The fight will air on HBO pay-per-view.
We have a venue. The year’s biggest fight in Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez will take place at T-Mobile Arena, Golden Boy Promotions confirmed this afternoon.
Alvarez, who was featured in the first boxing card held at the venue when he knocked out Amir Khan last May, will be making his third appearance at the arena in September. Last month, he scored a lopsided unanimous decision there over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Although there was briefly talk of the fight landing in Texas at the AT&T Stadium, the star power and mystique of Las Vegas ultimately won out.
“For the best fight on the best date in boxing, there is no better venue than the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Fans won’t only be treated to a classic battle between the two best boxers in the sport, they will also be able to enjoy an incredible week of activities marking Mexican Independence Day. This will be a can’t-miss event for hardcore and casual fans, alike.”
The fight will mark Golovkin’s first appearance in Las Vegas. Since his 2013 HBO debut, the middleweight champion has strategically split time between Los Angeles and New York to make himself a live attraction on both coasts. His team believes this schedule will pay off come September.
“This is the result of many years of hard work for Gennady, traveling around the world fighting world champions and top contenders to become an undefeated unified middleweight world champion,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “Gennady’s reward and the fans’ reward will be battling in the biggest and best match-up in the sport of boxing. Gennady is ready for his date with destiny.”
Golovkin vs. Canelo airs live on HBO pay-per-view on September 16. Press tour and ticket information are expected to be released later this week.
After several weeks of rumors, former champion Adrien Broner and current WBC lightweight titlist Mikey Garcia have agreed to a junior welterweight superfight at on July 29.
Broner last competed at welterweight in February, defeating Adrian Granados by split decision. His last fight at 140 pounds was a 12th round TKO win over Khabib Allakhverdiev in October 2015. Over the last five years, he’s won titles in four different weight classes.
Garcia is coming off his world title-winning effort over Dejan Zlaticanin, who was stopped in three rounds on January 28. Junior welterweight will be a new division for Garica as he’s never weighed in over 138 pounds.
Showtime will carry the fight and made the official announcement this afternoon. A venue has not been determined.
Now this is an intriguing fight. On paper, I favor the more disciplined fighter in Garcia. With the fight in less than two months out, making 140 will be a struggle for Broner. Nonetheless, The Problem will be the bigger man and has a chance if Garcia has trouble with the power differential.
If Barclays gets this fight, I might have to make the trip.
WBA/WBC welterweight titlist Keith Thurman is on the mend for the next 4-6 months after undergoing right elbow surgery.
Thurman suffered the injury during his split decision win over Danny Garcia in March. Doctors removed calcium deposits and have prescribed rehabilitation. Although Thurman wants to return for a second bout in 2017, he recognizes the importance of a gradual recovery.
“I had loose bodies in the elbow, similar to what baseball pitchers have. They had to go in and take out the loose bodies and calcium deposits,” Thurman said. “It was getting in the way of the hinging of the elbow and when I threw a punch. It was causing pain and inflammation. I noticed it before the Danny Garcia fight. There was no way to get rid of it without the surgery. I’m healing and getting the function back so that I can be pain free.This is just the real struggle of an athlete,” he said. “It’s not always
This is just the real struggle of an athlete. It’s not always picture perfect. It happens in every sport and that’s because we demand a lot from our bodies and ourselves. It has repercussions. Cars break down. We get them fixed and put them back on the road. We’re looking forward to getting back into the ring and giving you another fight before the year is out.”
Thurman is not without options upon his return. Rival Shawn Porter is now the #1 contender for Thurman’s WBC title after a dominating TKO over Andre Berto last month. WBO titlist Manny Pacquiao, who Thurman has expressed interest in facing, represents another unification opportunity. And many fans are hopeful for Thurman to challenge the winner of Errol Spence and Kell Brook, who face off next Saturday in Sheffield for the IBF strap.
Before they do battle Saturday on HBO, unified junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford and gold medalist Felix Diaz are on deck this afternoon for the official weigh-in. The live stream opens at 2 p.m. ET. Tomorrow’s HBO card airs at 10:15 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Hogan Photos
TUCSON, AZ — Undefeated prospect Diego De La Hoya (17-0) will headline his first ESPN card tomorrow night when he takes on Erik Ruiz (16-6-1) at the Casino Del Sol. De La Hoya weighed in at 122 pounds and Ruiz slightly higher at 122.4. The card includes the co main event of D’Mitrius Ballard (17-0, 167.4 lbs.) taking on Adrian Luna (18-4-1, 167.8 lbs.) in super middleweight action, and a TV swing bout Hector Tanajara Jr. (8-0, 130 lbs.) facing Daniel Bastien (4-4, 130 lbs.).
The card airs live at 10 p.m. ET.
Atlanta has been starving for years to get consistent pro boxing cards. The drought ends on July 1 with “Underground Showdown,” a new fight series taking place at the Buckhead Fight Club.
Former title-holder Terri “The Boss” Moss, who is making her promotional debut, plans to build on the success of her Corporate Fight Night series, which allowed business professionals to step into the ring for charity after rigorous weeks of training. Now, she hopes to bring boxing excitement back to a city that’s wide open for an ambitious promoter.
“I’m thrilled to take this step as a professional promoter, after successfully promoting Atlanta Corporate Fight Night since 2010,” Moss told BeatsBoxingMayhem. “On July 1, Underground Showdown will have pro debut action, featuring some of my fighters as they step into the pro ranks, and amateur bouts of fighters who will also be making their pro debuts on our next card, and the night will be headlined by an 8 round main event. This series is all about bringing good, competitive boxing back to Atlanta, and also, to introduce local fighters that have champion potential.”
“Underground Showdown” action takes at Buckhead Fight Club (3293 Buford Hwy. NE, #500, Brookhaven, GA). Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bell is 7 p.m. The weigh-in and press conference, which are open to the public, commence on Friday 30 at Hard Rock Cafe’s Velvet Underground. For more information, visit www.buckheadfightclub.com.
