Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo | DAZN - 30 September 2023

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Sources: Canelo inks PBC deal, to fight Jermall Charlo in Sept.

Canelo Alvarez, boxing's top star, will defend his undisputed super middleweight championship against Jermall Charlo in September, likely Sept. 16 on Mexican Independence Day weekend, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) struck a three-fight deal with PBC, with the other two fights expected to take place on Cinco De Mayo weekend and Mexican Independence Day weekend in 2024, sources said. The Mexican fighter's bout against Charlo, the WBC middleweight titleholder, is expected to be a Showtime PPV.

The network declined comment. Alvarez announced on Instagram a "done deal" for September along with the PBC logo, but he didn't name an opponent or specify that the deal was for multiple fights.

The deal is a coup for PBC, which brings the sport's top star into the fold and away from rival promoter Eddie Hearn. Hearn's Matchroom Boxing promoted Alvarez's past three fights, including his most recent outing, a Mexico homecoming win over John Ryder in May.

The other two bouts with Matchroom and DAZN took place last year, a defeat in May to Dmitry Bivol at 175 pounds (Alvarez's only loss since a 2013 bout vs. Floyd Mayweather) and a victory over Gennadiy Golovkin in a September trilogy bout.

Prior to that, Canelo scored an 11th-round TKO of Caleb Plant in a PBC on Showtime PPV bout in November 2021.

Last month, Alvarez was No. 5 on Forbes' highest-paid athletes list at estimated earnings of $110 million in 2022. The four-division champion defeated Ryder before 50,000-plus fans to retain his four 168-pound titles and is ranked No. 5 pound-for-pound by ESPN.

Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) is an elite fighter and was in the running for the Canelo assignment last May when Alvarez picked Bivol.

However, Charlo hasn't competed since June 2021, when he scored a unanimous decision win over Juan Macias Montiel. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said last month that Charlo's inactivity is due to mental health. Charlo is a former 154-pound titleholder who has never competed above 160 pounds.

His twin brother, Jermell Charlo, is the undisputed junior middleweight champion. Both Charlos are advised by Al Haymon. Jermall, who fights out of Houston, is now expected to earn a career-high payday.

Alvarez was also offered a fight against cruiserweight champion Badou Jack in Saudi Arabia, but the weight was an issue. Jack tweeted that he was willing to come down to 190 pounds for the 200-pound title fight, but that Alvarez didn't want to fight above 180 pounds.

And now Alvarez is with PBC, which also has the second-biggest stateside attraction in its ranks in Gervonta Davis and is set to stage the July 29 superfight between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford.

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[Blueprint]

I like this fight. PBC are putting on some great fights this year.

[magnus]

So, he's fighting the light-middle champ, not the brother who's been at middleweight, at super-middle?

[Ruthless-RKO]

The Charlo’s a big fukas anyway.

He probably walks around heavy that 168.

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Canelo has started his training camp

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Jermell Charlo to be stripped of WBO title after fight with Canelo Alvarez, Tim Tszyu will be elevated

Jermell Charlo will be stripped of his WBO junior middleweight title, meaning his days as undisputed champion at 154 lbs are over — or, at least, they soon will be.

The WBO have ruled that Charlo “will be allowed to enter the ring as WBO champion and announced as such” for his fight with Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 30, which will take place at 168 lbs for Canelo’s undisputed title, and upon that official announcement that he does still hold the belt, he will be immediately stripped, with Tim Tszyu elevated from interim champion to full champion status.

This is sort of what we expected when Canelo vs Charlo was announced, that the sanctioning bodies would play ball with PBC and Showtime marketing “Undisputed vs Undisputed,” and then when it was over, Charlo would either be stripped of or vacate at least one or some of his junior middleweight belts in order to keep the fight’s marketing intact, but having it officially spelled out as exactly that in very drawn-out, legal terms is kind of funny, at least.

It also needs to be noted that if Canelo vs Charlo doesn’t take place on Sept. 30 — “for whatever reasons” — the WBO are still going to strip Charlo and Tszyu will be elevated to full title status.

So for all it matters, for all intents and purposes, Tim Tszyu is officially your WBO junior middleweight titleholder now. But not officially so until Sept. 30, or any time ahead of that if the Canelo vs Charlo bout is canceled or postponed.

You’ll recall that Charlo and Tszyu were meant to fight early this year, with the bout scrapped. Tszyu has been the WBO’s mandatory challenger for years at this point, and has held the interim belt since beating Tony Harrison on Mar. 12, following that up with a June 18 wipeout win over Carlos Ocampo, a defense of the interim belt.

Tszyu recently stated that Charlo should be stripped, and he’s basically getting his wish, and it’s the right decision.

No word yet on what the other sanctioning bodies will do, but since the Tszyu issue has been very public, the WBO probably felt the need to comment publicly. The other three — the WBC, WBA, and IBF — may simply wait until after the Canelo vs Charlo fight to see if Charlo would rather vacate than be stripped.

Charlo has not defended any of his titles or fought at all since beating Brian Castano in May 2022, which fully unified the 154 lb division.

[gregregegg]

Jermell Charlo to be stripped of WBO title after fight with Canelo Alvarez, Tim Tszyu will be elevated

Jermell Charlo will be stripped of his WBO junior middleweight title, meaning his days as undisputed champion at 154 lbs are over — or, at least, they soon will be.

The WBO have ruled that Charlo “will be allowed to enter the ring as WBO champion and announced as such” for his fight with Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 30, which will take place at 168 lbs for Canelo’s undisputed title, and upon that official announcement that he does still hold the belt, he will be immediately stripped, with Tim Tszyu elevated from interim champion to full champion status.

This is sort of what we expected when Canelo vs Charlo was announced, that the sanctioning bodies would play ball with PBC and Showtime marketing “Undisputed vs Undisputed,” and then when it was over, Charlo would either be stripped of or vacate at least one or some of his junior middleweight belts in order to keep the fight’s marketing intact, but having it officially spelled out as exactly that in very drawn-out, legal terms is kind of funny, at least.

It also needs to be noted that if Canelo vs Charlo doesn’t take place on Sept. 30 — “for whatever reasons” — the WBO are still going to strip Charlo and Tszyu will be elevated to full title status.

So for all it matters, for all intents and purposes, Tim Tszyu is officially your WBO junior middleweight titleholder now. But not officially so until Sept. 30, or any time ahead of that if the Canelo vs Charlo bout is canceled or postponed.

You’ll recall that Charlo and Tszyu were meant to fight early this year, with the bout scrapped. Tszyu has been the WBO’s mandatory challenger for years at this point, and has held the interim belt since beating Tony Harrison on Mar. 12, following that up with a June 18 wipeout win over Carlos Ocampo, a defense of the interim belt.

Tszyu recently stated that Charlo should be stripped, and he’s basically getting his wish, and it’s the right decision.

No word yet on what the other sanctioning bodies will do, but since the Tszyu issue has been very public, the WBO probably felt the need to comment publicly. The other three — the WBC, WBA, and IBF — may simply wait until after the Canelo vs Charlo fight to see if Charlo would rather vacate than be stripped.

Charlo has not defended any of his titles or fought at all since beating Brian Castano in May 2022, which fully unified the 154 lb division.

Shows how manipulated gov body’s are… strip him now if he needs to be stripped… but they don’t wanna spoil “undisputed ca undisputed”…

Nice for Timmy tszyu to just rack a few easy home world title defences… that’s what I’d do, and pray Crawford doesn’t get that “move up wbo mandatory” thing.

[fanman]

So, he's fighting the light-middle champ, not the brother who's been at middleweight, at super-middle?

Yeah, weird.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Here are two great press release quotes that may potentially have actually been said by either fighter:

“I’m very happy that we got to make a fight of this magnitude between two undisputed champions,” said Canelo. “Jermell Charlo has also faced the best in his division, and I’m glad that the fans are going to enjoy a world class fight between us.”

“I’m really excited to make history once again,” said Charlo. “This is the biggest fight in boxing and I’m coming to leave it all in the ring like I do every time. I manifested this fight into existence and earned it with everything I’ve done in this sport so far. Canelo is a great fighter, but he’s gonna see what ‘Lions Only’ is all about. When the fight’s over, people are gonna have to recognize that I’m the best fighter in the sport.”

Canelo last fought on May 6 in Mexico, beating John Ryder by decision. Charlo was last seen in the ring in May 2022, winning a rematch against Brian Castano via 10th round stoppage.

If you’re interested in tickets for the bout, there will be a pre-sale tomorrow, Aug. 10, through AXS.com, which will last from 10 am to 10 pm PT, with pre-sale code “PBC.”

The wider public sale begins on Friday at 10 am PT.

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Press Release

Mexican superstar and pound-for-pound great Saul "Canelo" Álvarez will defend his undisputed world super middleweight championship in a blockbuster showdown against undisputed world junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo headlining a Showtime pay-per-view (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Saturday, September 30th in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo, who’s amassed one of the best resumes of his generation at only 33-years old, will make the third consecutive defense of his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO super middleweight world titles against the junior middleweight king Charlo in the first matchup of the four-belt era pitting two reigning undisputed champions against each other. With a win, Charlo would add his name alongside legendary champions such as [Naoya Inoue,] Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roy Jones Jr. by successfully jumping two weight classes to win a world title.

Pre-sale tickets are available on Thursday, August 10th from 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com by using the code: PBC Public on-sale begins Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. PT with tickets available through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions.

“Canelo Álvarez and Jermell Charlo are fighters who dare to be great every time they enter the ring and have shown that once again by going headfirst into this dream matchup between the two best fighters in their divisions,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Canelo is already a surefire Hall of Famer but continues to seek the biggest and best fights for his devoted fans. Charlo has also established himself as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters and would leave no doubt about his place in boxing’s hierarchy with a win on September 30. This is a night you won’t want to miss on Showtime pay-per-view and at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”

“We are very excited about this historic matchup under the PBC banner,” said Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s manager and trainer. “Our team is very focused on this fight and we have decided to hold a high-altitude training camp to prepare. We have a great champion in Charlo in front of us and this will be an exciting fight because of the styles both fighters bring to the ring.”

“Canelo vs. Charlo is a legitimate mega-fight and yet another testament that Showtime continues to deliver the biggest and best matchups in the sport." said Stephen Espinoza, Presiden of Showtime Sports. "In a banner year that has already featured some of the most anticipated fights in recent memory, Canelo vs. Charlo stands out as a historically unique showdown between two undisputed champions. September 30th will be another can’t-miss event for boxing fans around the world.”

Having captured world titles at 154, 160, 168 and 175-pounds, Canelo (59-2-2, 39 KOs) will enter the ring for yet another super fight as he looks to become the first man during the four-belt era to defend all four titles successfully three consecutive times. The fighting pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Canelo became undisputed at super middleweight in November 2021 by taking the IBF belt from then unbeaten Caleb Plant via an eleventth-round TKO. After dropping a light heavyweight title fight against Dmitriy Bivol in May 2022, Canelo rebounded to defeat Gennadiy Golovkin in their September 2022 trilogy fight before most recently defeating John Ryder in May.

Under the guidance of Reynoso, Canelo has triumphed over a long list of elite fighters since turning pro at just 15-years-old in 2005, including Golovkin twice, plus Shane Mosley, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto and Sergey Kovalev to name a few. Outside of the Bivol fight, Canelo’s only other defeat came against undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather in September 2013.

“I’m very happy that we got to make a fight of this magnitude between two undisputed champions,” said Canelo. “Jermell Charlo has also faced the best in his division, and I’m glad that the fans are going to enjoy a world class fight between us on September 30.”

Houston’s Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) unified the junior middleweight titles in emphatic fashion his last time out, knocking out Brian Castaño in round 10 of their May 2022 rematch, after they fought to a draw in a July 2021 slugfest. The 33-year-old became a unified champion in September 2020, dropping Jeison Rosario three times on his way to an eighth-round knockout that earned him the WBA and IBF titles. Before that fight, Charlo had avenged the only loss of his career as he reclaimed his WBC belt via an eleventh-round knockout of Tony Harrison in one of 2019’s best fights.

Charlo is trained by 2022 BWAA “Trainer of the Year” Derrick James in Dallas and won his first world title in his debut fight with James by scoring an eighth-round knockout of John Jackson in 2016. He followed up that victory with three successful defenses, knocking out Erickson Lubin and Charles Hatley, and winning a decision over former world champion Austin Trout. Charlo and his twin brother and two-division champion Jermall, who fight under their Lions Only banner, made history in 2016, becoming the first twins in boxing history to simultaneously hold world championships in the same weight class.

“I’m really excited to make history once again on September 30th,” said Charlo. “This is the biggest fight in boxing and I’m coming to leave it all in the ring like I do every time. I manifested this fight into existence and earned it with everything I’ve done in this sport so far. Canelo is a great fighter, but he’s gonna see what Lions Only is all about. When the fight’s over, people are gonna have to recognize that I’m the best fighter in the sport.”

[jwfg]

So, he's fighting the light-middle champ, not the brother who's been at middleweight, at super-middle?

Yeah, weird.

T'other brother ain't available allegedly.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ahead of the event, the fighters host back to back press conferences.

The first press conference is held on Tuesday, August 15 at Palladium Times Square in New York. The start time is scheduled for 1 pm ET.

The second press conference takes place on Wednesday, August 16 at The Beverly Hilton – The Wilshire Garden in Los Angeles. The start time is scheduled for 11:30 am PT.

Live stream of both press events is available on YouTube.

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Looking to add Jesus Ramos vs. Erickson Lubin to the card

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Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from Palladium Times Square:

CANELO ÁLVAREZ
“Thank you to Jermell for taking this fight. I’m very happy to be in this position and to be in big fights. Jermell is a great fighter who takes on big challenges just like I do. I always take risks.

“Jermell is a great fighter and this is a fight that’s been out there as a possibility for a long time. Now is the correct time for this fight.

“I’m gonna put everything into the ring. My experience, my power and my skills. It’s going to take everything to win this fight. It’s going to be a great night for the fans.

“It’s good that people are saying I’ve lost a step. It’s fine. I know why I didn’t look as good in my last two fights. I know why and I’m different now. I’m preparing now for a different type of fighter.

“I’m 100% focused on this fight. Then we’ll see what happens after. Everyone wants drama and for us to fight on this stage, but when two fighters are 100% focused like we are right now, it’s gonna make it a great fight in the ring.

“I have everything that he says he has as well. I have experience and I’ve been in this position a lot of times. That’s why we’re here. We’re going to find out if he’s got enough on September 30.

“I love being in these kinds of fights. Stay tuned on September 30 because this is gonna be a great night for boxing.”

JERMELL CHARLO
“This is a long time coming. Canelo and Eddy are legends in the game of boxing. They’ve put on great shows and I want to be the one that gets in there and takes it all away from them.

“Me and my brother Jermall have been putting on for boxing and it’s our time now. A lot of people are worried about the wrong things. When you want to win something this big, you have to risk it all.

“I just want to quiet my haters and doubters and turn non-believers into believers. I’ve watched a lot of great people in the sport of boxing and now I think this is the best moment for me to leave my mark. With two great fighters in there, you get nothing but fireworks. When this fight presented itself, it was a no-brainer to make this happen.

“I’m gonna train my ass off and be intelligent. I know I’m moving up in weight, but who cares? That won’t stop me from getting in there and doing it the way I do it. I’m excited for this moment.

“My heart, desire and determination will give me what I need to win. I guarantee a great night and that you’re gonna hear some lions roaring.

“I don’t have any excuses. Whatever happens happens. I came here to win this fight. I’m not laying down. I don’t care what anyone says.

“I’m so proud to be one of the fighters who’s able to get in there and step up and fight the best. I’m gonna be training my ass off. Tune in on September 30. Be there or be square. We’re gonna turn this into a whole new ball game.”

EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer and Manager
“Here we are in New York, once again announcing what will be one of the best fights in recent memory. Styles makes fights, and I believe that both Charlo and Canelo possess the kind of contrasting styles that fans will love to see in a fight.

“Charlo is a great champion and has a great trainer in as Derrick James. He is a great fighter with a big heart that has gotten up off the mat after losing, and that makes him even more dangerous. He lost, but he also redeemed himself and showed that you can redeem yourself to earn big fights like this one.

“This will definitely be a challenge. Charlo is capable of ending the fight at any moment, and we must be ready for anything he migh do.

“We know it will be a tough fight, but we are always ready. You will all see a great fight, and you will also see a very different Canelo compared to the one you saw during the last few fights.”

DERRICK JAMES, Charlo’s Trainer
“This is a fight that Jermell Charlo has always wanted. It’s the type of fight he’s needed to put him into super superstardom. Canelo is a great fighter with a great trainer and they’ve been so consistent over the years. It’s hard to do that in boxing.

“It’s gonna take Jermell being the best version of himself. He’s gonna have to be focused in training camp and focused in the fight. He’s gonna get what he needs to get because of the focus he has and because he knows he has to be himself.

“Jermell should be comfortable with the weight on fight night. He’s daring to be great. He’s all about stepping up and taking the challenges. He wants to be undisputed in two weight classes at the same time.

“It’s all about us coming in and doing what we do best. Both guys are gonna try to do whatever they can do to come out successful. It’s gonna be a great and exciting night of boxing.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“September 30 will be another night of history. It’s impressive what both men have accomplished to become undisputed. And we also have the back-to-back Trainer of the Year winners in Eddy Reynoso and Derrick James up here as well. It’s everything you would want for a mega fight.

“Canelo is truly one of the sport’s best ever. He’s a hero in Mexico and universally respected. He’s a throwback fighter who takes on all challengers and he’s boxing’s biggest star.

“Jermell will bring everything he’s got to this fight. He’s cleaned out the division and beaten every fighter he’s faced. He’s not just convinced he can win this fight, he’s convinced he will.

“This is a classic old school fight with two guys who can really crack. It will come down to who can handle themselves under fire. It’s a super fight you don’t want to miss.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, SHOWTIME SPORTS®
“Coming off some of the biggest and most anticipated fights in recent memory, we have a special one on September 30. This is another matchup with historic implications, the first bout in the four-belt era pitting two undisputed champions.

“Regardless of who you are rooting for, these two men are among the elites in boxing. Both have historic achievements. Canelo has defeated 18 world champions in his career. He has fought at least one world champion every year for the last 10 years.

“Jermell Charlo is the first undisputed 154-pound world champion in the four-belt era. He could join Terence Crawford as the only male boxer to become undisputed in two weight classes in the four-belt era.

“This event is a rare opportunity to witness greatness. Greatness means not being satisfied with being the first and only four-belt undisputed super welterweight champion. Greatness is pushing for more; more challenges, more history, continuing to test the limits of your own performance. Greatness is taking tough fights and big challenges when you don’t have to.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Elijah Garcia-Armando Resendiz To Be Part Of Canelo-Charlo Undercard On Showtime PPV

Elijah Garcia and Armando Resendiz produced the most impressive victories of their developing careers on the same “Showtime Championship Boxing” card March 4.

Five months later, they agreed to fight each other in an intriguing battle between ambitious, emerging, young middleweight contenders. Boxing Scene has learned that Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) and Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) will square off in a 160-pound bout on the Showtime Pay-Per-View portion of the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo undercard September 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Garcia, 20, knocked out previously unbeaten Uruguayan contender Amilcar Vidal in the fourth round of their 10-round match March 4 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Their Premier Boxing Champions fight was considered a significant step up in opposition for Garcia, a powerful southpaw who aspires to own a middleweight world title by the time he is 21.

In the following fight Showtime televised that night, Resendiz upset former IBF/IBO/WBA 154-pound champ Jarrett Hurd. Resendiz battered and bloodied the favored Hurd (24-3, 16 KOs) on his way to a 10th-round knockout caused in large part by a grotesque gash on Hurd’s lip.

Resendiz led on all three scorecards – 89-82, 87-84 and 87-84 – entering the 10th and final round against Hurd. His career-changing victory versus Hurd helped Resendiz atone for a surprising 10-round, unanimous-decision defeat to Marcos Hernandez (16-6-2, 3 KOs) in September 2021 at The Armory in Minneapolis.

Mexico’s Resendiz hasn’t fought since he stopped Hurd, who ended an almost 21-month layoff when they fought. Garcia, of Wittmann, Arizona, returned to the ring just seven weeks after he knocked out Vidal (17-1, 13 KOs).

He went the distance in that bout – a 10-round, unanimous-decision victory over Mexico’s Kevin Salgado (16-2-1, 11 KOs) on the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia undercard April 22 at T-Mobile Arena. Garcia-Salgado was the opener of Showtime’s four-fight pay-per-view telecast that night.

As BS.com and other outlets previously reported, the Alvarez-Charlo undercard will also include a junior middleweight match in which left-handed contenders Jesus Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs), of Casa Grande, Arizona, and Erickson Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs), of Orlando, Florida, will square off.

[cormack]

Canelo stops either of the Charlo chumps IMHO

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[Ruthless-RKO]

Ugas-Barrios WBC Interim Title Fight To Be Part Of Canelo-Charlo Showtime PPV Card

The Yordenis Ugas-Mario Barrios fight is back on, and it’ll take place on a huge stage.

Boxing Scene has learned that Ugas and Barrios will fight for the WBC interim welterweight title on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo undercard September 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ugas-Barrios will be one of three bouts Showtime will televise as part of its pay-per-view undercard before Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles versus Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs), boxing’s undisputed 154-pound champion.

As Boxing Scene first reported Wednesday, young, emerging middleweight contenders Elijah Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) and Armando Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) will square off in the intriguing pay-per-view opener of Premier Boxing Champions’ card that night. Another high-stakes battle between junior middleweight contenders Jesus Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) and Erickson Lubin (24-2, 17 KOs) will be part of Showtime’s pay-per-view broadcast as well.

The WBC ordered Ugas-Barrios in mid-March, when it was believed that Errol Spence Jr., then the unbeaten WBC 147-pound champion, would move up to the 154-pound limit for at least one fight against Keith Thurman. Spence instead came to an agreement two months later to finally fight Terence Crawford, who stopped Spence in the ninth round of their title unification fight July 29 at T-Mobile Arena.

Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) has until next week to exercise his contractual right to an immediate rematch with Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), which likely would be contested at the junior middleweight maximum of 154 pounds. If Crawford were to move up to the 154-pound division for a Spence rematch or another fight, the winner between Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs) and Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) would be elevated to full champion by the WBC.

The Cuban-born, Las Vegas-based Ugas hasn’t fought since Spence stopped him in the 10th round of their welterweight title unification fight 20 months ago at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. A ringside physician wouldn’t allow Ugas to continue due to severe swelling around his right eye.

The 37-year-old Ugas lost his WBA welterweight title to Spence, who retained his IBF and WBC belts in that Showtime Pay-Per-View main event.

The 28-year-old Barrios beat Puerto Rico’s Jovanie Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) by eighth-round technical knockout in his last fight, which Showtime aired February 11 from Alamodome in Barrios’ hometown of San Antonio. That ended a one-year layoff for Barrios, who hadn’t fought since Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs, 1 NC) defeated him by unanimous decision in their 12-rounder in February 2022 at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

There was a time since the WBC ordered Ugas-Barrios five months ago that it appeared Ugas would fight Thurman next. Thurman, of Clearwater, Florida, hasn’t fought in the 18 months since he beat Barrios.

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Press Release | Undercard Information

Three matchups featuring rising stars, top contenders and former world champions from 147 to 160 pounds will highlight a robust pay-per-view undercard leading up to the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo undisputed super middleweight championship clash on Saturday, September 30 live on SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.

In the co-main event, undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr., will take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in a 12-round super welterweight special attraction. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

“These three matchups deliver everything boxing fans could hope for in a pay-per-view undercard and are worthy of the historic main event clash they will lead up to,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Each fighter stepping into the ring has an opportunity to catapult themselves to the top of their respective division with a win on September 30. Fans can expect to see all of these competitors give everything they have to emerge victorious on SHOWTIME PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”

A strong southpaw who at 22 has yet to come close to hitting his ceiling as a fighter, Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) blitzed then-unbeaten Joey Spencer in March, dropping him in round one before stopping him in round seven to earn the TKO in his sensational 2023 debut on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant on SHOWTIME PPV. A native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos also owns back-to-back 10-round unanimous decisions over Brian Mendoza and Javier Molina in 2021, which he followed up by defeating Luke Santamaria and Vladimir Hernandez in 2022. Overall, the youthful Ramos has gained recognition with highlight-reel KOs, stopping seven of his last 10 opponents, showcasing his skills and ability to end his fights early.

The 27-year-old Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) returned to the ring in June to deliver an impressive fifth-round stoppage of veteran Luis Arias, who had never been stopped previously. Lubin’s previous outing saw him go toe-to-toe in one of 2022’s best fights, as he traded knockdowns with fellow contender Sebastian Fundora on SHOWTIME in April 2022. Heading into the Fundora fight, Lubin had put together an impressive six-bout winning streak since a loss to then unified and now undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in 2017, a run that included triumphs over Jeison Rosario, Terrell Gausha and Ishe Smith. A native of Orlando, Fla., Lubin turned pro at 18 years old in 2013 and became one of the youngest prospects to ever appear on the developmental series SHOBOX: The New Generation®, earning “Prospect Of The Year” honors.

Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs) will step back into action on September 30 for the first time since an April 2022 unification bout defeat to Errol Spence Jr. on SHOWTIME PPV. He established himself as an elite welterweight after returning from a more than two-year layoff in 2016 following back-to-back losses in 2014. He punched his ticket as a world champion in January 2021 after winning a WBA belt by defeating Abel Ramos in September 2020. He solidified his world-championship status in August 2021, when he stepped in for an injured Spence to defeat legendary future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision. Hailing from Santiago, Cuba and now living in Miami, Florida, the Olympic bronze medalist trains in Las Vegas with renowned coach Ismael Salas and owns victories over then undefeated fighters Jamal James, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Bryant Perrella, plus veteran contenders Thomas Dulorme and Ray Robinson.

The 28-year-old Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) most recently scored a sensational knockout of Jovanie Santiago in February stopping Santiago in the eighth-round. Barrios’ previous fight was his welterweight debut as he dropped a hard-fought decision to former unified champion Keith Thurman in February 2022. The San Antonio-product, who now trains with top coach Bob Santos in Las Vegas, became a 140-pound world champion in September 2019, using his aggressive style to edge out Batyr Akhmedov and earn a unanimous decision. Barrios lost the super lightweight title in another action packed, highly competitive bout, as he was defeated by three-division and five-time world champion Gervonta Davis in June 2021.

Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) is one of 2023’s biggest breakout stars He burst onto the scene in March by blasting out the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round to announce his presence at 160-pounds. The 20-year-old followed up that performance by dominating veteran Kevin Salgado on his way to a unanimous decision in April on the SHOWTIME PPV undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia. The precocious Garcia has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out six of his last eight opponents.

The 24-year-old Reséndiz (14-1, 10 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he stopped former unified champion Jarrett Hurd in the 10th and final round of their March showdown on SHOWTIME. Reséndiz led on all three cards when the bout was stopped due to a severe laceration on Hurd’s lip. A native of Nayarit, Mexico, he now fights out of Los Angeles and will look to make it three-straight wins since a close decision loss to Marcos Hernandez in September 2021. Reséndiz turned pro in February 2018 and made a successful U.S. debut in April 2021 with a decision victory over Quilisto Madera.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Judges
Max De Luca
David Sutherland
Steve Weisfeld

Referee: Harvey Dock