ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions:
We’re very excited to be on this call. We’re just two weeks away from the show. This is the official international media conference call with WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion, Undefeated champion, Liam “Beefy” Smith. On September 17 over Mexican Independence weekend, Canelo returns to Texas for a big challenge, a dangerous challenge in WBO World Champion, Liam “Beefy” Smith.
Though the fight is not getting as much hype and publicity as the Gennady Golovkin-Kell Brook showdown that will precede it by a week, the Liam Smith-Saul Canelo Alvarez light-middleweight title fight is arguably a much tougher fight to pick. Smith, the defending WBO champ, is a considerable underdog, as is his countryman Brook, but some good judges are predicting a hard night for Canelo on September 17.
And Smith, unbeaten and trained by the excellent Joe Gallagher, is certainly as confident as Brook appears to be heading into his massive fight – if not more so.
Former two-division world champion Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) today hosted a media workout at the House of Boxing in San Diego ahead of his clash with WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) on Mexican Independence Day Weekend on September 17 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
Photo Credit: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions
HBO Sports, widely acclaimed for its innovative boxing programming, takes an in-depth look at one of boxing’s brightest superstars as he prepares to challenge a 154-pound champion from the UK at one of the world’s most spectacular arenas when ROAD TO CANELO/SMITH debuts SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 (12:45-1:00 a.m. ET/PT).
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 11 (11:30 a.m., 3:15 a.m.), 12 (1:25 p.m., 1:45 a.m.), 13 (6:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m.), 14 (10:00 a.m., 10:30 p.m.), 15 (4:00 p.m.), 16 (1:10 a.m.) and 17 (5:45 p.m.)
ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions:
Thank you all for joining us on the call today. This is the official media conference call for the televised pay-per-view undercard. The fighters that will be fighting on the Canelo-Smith mega fight. On September 17th over Mexican Independence weekend, we are set to have one of the most entertaining boxers in sports today, “King” Gabriel Rosado with a record of 23-9, 13 knockouts from Philadelphia, and he’ll be facing world title challenger, Willie Monroe, with a great record of 20-2 out of Rochester, New York, in a 12-round middleweight bout, and that will be the co-feature of Canelo and Smith.
What does Canelo have to do for the Mexican fans to embrace him as one of their best? How does he become one of the best in the rich history of Mexican boxing?
“Mexican fighters have long been known for their toughness, their ability to walk through fire, their willingness to take three punches to land a solid shot.
“That is Canelo Alvarez.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
Thank you very much. Thank you to all the media. [SPEAKING IN SPANISH]. We are here for the Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith conference call.
First of all, we want to thank you and welcome the two-time world champion Canelo Alvarez who has a record of 47-1, and won with 33 knockouts.
On September 17th over Mexican Independence weekend, Canelo Alvarez will make his long-anticipated return to Texas to fight Liam Smith who has a record of 23-0 with 13 knockouts, and that will be for the WBO Junior Middleweight Junior championship title at the famed AT&T Stadium, home of America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys.
As fans from around the world get ready to descend on the home of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the world championship showdown between former two-division world champion and Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) and current WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion, Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1,13 KOs), Golden Boy Promotions today announced the Saturday, September 17 event will also feature three non-stop action fights as part of the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Hailed as one of the most entertaining fighters in boxing, former world title challenger and blood-and-guts contender, “King” Gabriel Rosado (23-9, 13 KOs, 1 NC) of Philadelphia, will attempt to re-establish himself as one of the top fighters in the middleweight division when he faces former world title challenger Willie “El Mongoose” Monroe, Jr. (20-2, 6 KOs) of Rochester, N.Y. in a 12-round, middleweight bout as the co-main event to Canelo vs. Smith. The sure-fire action fight features two of boxing’s most resilient fighters who have taken on the top fighters in the division on their rise to stardom, garnering praise and respect from boxing fans. With a final run up the middleweight ladder at stake for the winner, this 50/50 fight will feature non-stop action and two warriors desperate for a win.
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) today concluded their two-city international press tour at The Landmark Hotel in London ahead of their world championship showdown.
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.
British boxing promoter Frank Warren has promoted some great fights over the years and he has also witnessed his share of big upsets, where a British fighter shocked the world. Now, ahead of his fighter Liam Smith’s September 17 fight with Mexican superstar Saul Canelo Alvarez – a fight that will actually see Smith enter the ring as the defending champion – Warren is letting us all know we need to get ready for another upset scored by a British warrior.