Boxing Insider Notebook: Canelo, Smith, Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr., Jackson, Guerrero, and more…
By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of July 12th to July 19th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Photo Credit: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
Canelo vs. Smith Officially Announced for AT&T Stadium
Former two-division world champion Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) and WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) kicked off the two-city international press tour at AT&T Stadium ahead of their world championship showdown on Saturday, Sept. 17. Located in Arlington, Texas, AT&T Stadium is home to one of the most iconic and successful sports teams in history – the Dallas Cowboys, and will host the big event between Canelo and Smith on Mexican Independence Day weekend, Sept. 17. Canelo vs. Smith will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT on Sept. 17. The heavy-handed combatants will head next to London, England for a press conference at The Landmark Hotel on July 20, 2016.
Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, led those present at today’s press conference in a moment of silence to honor the victims of the recent tragedy affecting the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Area Rapid Transit officers.
Below is what the fighters, their teams, promoters and Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones had to say at today’s press conference:
CANELO ALVAREZ, Former Two-Division World Champion:
“I had to work for my birthday, so I’m here to work. I’m very happy to be back in Texas again, in this beautiful stadium. I’m going to take this fight seriously and prepare like always. I know how I’m going to have to train. I like to give the fans a great fight, and that is what I will prepare for.”
LIAM “BEEFY” SMITH, WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion:
“I am very excited, I have asked for a top name for a very long time and when Canelo’s name came to the table it was an automatic ‘yes.’
“We are coming very prepared for this fight, and I’m coming to win.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“Everything is bigger in Texas, and here we are the iconic AT&T Stadium, where we have two world champion fighters known for knocking out opponents in the ring with their strength and power. Come Mexican Independence weekend, former two-division world champion Canelo Alvarez will face the undefeated WBO junior middleweight world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith for his title.
“Here you have Liam Smith, an aggressive, relentless fighter. His previous eight opponents have fallen before the final bell. And then you have Canelo Alvarez, who is only getting more and more powerful with each of his devastating victories.
“Both of these fighters come from boxing families. Boxing is in their blood. To Canelo and Smith, fighting is a family tradition and with that comes a responsibly to live up to the family name. That said, both of them will come to the ring on September 17 to wage a war: for Canelo, to claim a new title as the WBO junior middleweight world champion and for Smith, to successfully defend his WBO title once again and make a name for himself in the U.S.
“While the fights will be the highlight of the weekend–Golden Boy, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys will bring the people a week full of fun activities that fans will enjoy for the entirety of fight week.”
Floyd Mayweather States that the Baton Rouge Killer is Not a Member of The Money Team
Floyd Mayweather says Gavin Long — who went on a cop-killing rampage in Baton Rouge on Sunday — is NOT affiliated with The Money Team … despite the fact he posted several videos sporting TMT gear.
“Gavin Long is not member of TMT by any means,” Floyd’s rep tells TMZ Sports.
“Floyd doesn’t want the TMT brand to be affiliated with the violent act Gavin has caused and neither Floyd nor anyone else from TMT knows him.”
“He is just a random guy who supported the brand but we don’t support him and what he did to those police officers.”
Officials say Long shot 6 officers — killing 3 of them — during an apparent anti-cop shooting spree.
It was later discovered that Long had previously posted several ranting videos on YouTube — and wore a TMT hat and had a TMT sticker on his chair in some of the clips.
http://www.tmz.com/2016/07/18/floyd-mayweather-baton-rouge-killer-is-not-on-the-money-team/
Roy Jones Jr. Considering Five Fight Farewell Tour
47-year-old Roy Jones Jr. says he’s finally ready to hang ’em up … but he wants to go out by flooring 5 more fighters.
The boxing legend tells TMZ Sports he was inspired by the way Kobe Bryant called it quits this year — and says he’d really like a farewell tour of his own.
In fact, RJJ says he wants to line up 5 more fights before the end of the year … but he wants to take on guys he KNOWS he can beat.
“Five guys you should be able to deal with and call it a day.”
Roy says nothing’s in stone yet … but he’s definitely considering it.
http://www.tmz.com/2016/07/19/roy-jones-jr-retirement/
Robert Guerrero to Face David Peralta
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (33-4-1) taking on David Emanuel Peralta (25-2-1) on Saturday, August 27 (9:00-11:00pm ET/PT) from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
Robert Guerrero is among the biggest names in boxing today, having fought the sport’s marquee names like Floyd Mayweather. A former world champion in multiple weight classes, he owns signature victories over Andre Berto and Joel Casamayor. But now Guerrero is on a quest to return to the top of the welterweight division beginning with this matchup on August 27. He must defeat the hard-hitting Argentinian slugger David Emanuel Peralta to see his dreams of sitting atop the division realized once again.
The tripleheader also features all-action slugger Alfredo Angulo (24-5)taking on battle-tested Freddy Hernandez (33-8)in a battle of Mexican brawlers. A fan favorite in Southern California, Angulo enters this fight coming off of two knockout victories and he will look to make it three in a row when he steps into the ring on August 27. A veteran of many exciting 154-pound contests, Angulo is looking to continue to make noise in the middleweight division against Hernandez, who has won his last three fights heading into this showdown.
Rounding out the night of televised fights is 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (18-0) putting his undefeated record on the line against the Bronx’s Steve Martinez (16-2). Fighting out of Cleveland, Gausha has risen up the rankings with five victories in 2015 and a seventh round stoppage of Orlando Lora in April. Now he will test himself against against the dangerous Martinez, who has recorded knockouts in 13 of his 16 victories.
Jerry Odom to Face Julius Jackson
Prospect Jerry Odom steps up to face Julius Jackson in a matchup of super middleweights next Friday, July 22 on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
The hard-hitting Odom (13-2-1, 12 KOs) replaces Ronald Ellis, who pulled out of the bout on Thursday with a right hand injury.
Odom was deep in training and looking to bounce back from a controversial draw with Ellis in February on ShoBox when he received the opportunity to face Jackson (19-1, 15 KOs). Jackson is the older brother of John and son of former two-division world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson.
“I have been training for a few fights that fell through. I’m in shape and ready to go,” Odom said. “When my team got the call we decided it was the right decision to take this opportunity.
“My power will be a big factor. Jackson has faced punchers before, but he hasn’t faced one like me. This is a great opportunity, and I will put on a show next Friday.”
Undefeated top 10-ranked super bantamweight Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs) faces Roman Ruben Reynoso (18-1-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event. In an eight round lightweight bout, O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs) meets Rolando Chinea (12-1-1, 6 KOs).
The July 22 ShoBox telecast marks the 15-year anniversary of the celebrated prospect developmental series.
Miguel Flores to Face Ryan Kielczweski on August 12th for the PBC
Undefeated rising contender Miguel Flores (20-0, 9 KOs) takes on exciting once-beaten featherweight contender Ryan Kielczweski (25-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Friday, August 12 from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a welterweight showdown between unbeaten contender Bryant Perrella (14-0, 13 KOs) and Cuban Olympian Yordenis Ugas (15-3, 7 KOs) in 10-rounds of action.
“Fighting on ESPN is incredible because you know that fans from all around the world will be tuning in,” said Flores. “My opponent is a very skilled fighter, so I’ll be at my best when we step in the ring on August 12. Expect me to go to war and bring a lot of action to those who will be watching.”
“It’s always exciting to be fighting on ESPN, especially in the main event,” said Kielczweski. “Training is going well and I’ve been traveling around to get great sparring. I don’t know much about Flores other than that he’s undefeated for a reason. If I perform on August 12 hopefully something big will come next that leads me towards a title. It’s going to be an exciting night and an electric fight.”
David Benavidez to Face Denis Douglin on August 5th
Undefeated rising contender David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez (15-0, 14 KOs) is set to face super middleweight contender Denis Douglin (20-4, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Friday, August 5 live from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with exciting lightweight contender Alejandro “El Charro” Luna (20-0, 15 KOs) taking on Ireland’s Stephen “The Rock” Ormond (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round attraction.
“We never stopped training after my last fight,” said Benavidez. “We went right back into camp and I’m already in fighting shape. Douglin is a tough southpaw. We’ll start looking at tape and see what kind of holes he has. I’ll start with the jab and break him down. We’re working hard towards bigger and bigger fights. This is going to be a great night of action.”
“I plan on applying pressure and making Benavidez adjust to my style,” said Douglin. “He’s a tall, strong fighter, but he doesn’t use his height. He’s one-dimensional, but he’s very good at what he does. He doesn’t have the experience to deal with my style. I am stepping in with an undefeated fighter but he will leave the ring with a loss.”
