Golden Boy Promotions – Page 6

Golden Boy bolsters digital content to serve fans during lock down

Golden Promotions has announced that it is adding content to its digital platforms to serve fans during the coronavirus pandemic.

The content, which will be distributed on RingTV.com, its Facebook page “Golden Boy Fight Night”, its YouTube channel and DAZN, will include the following: Branded features, condensed versions of selected fights in the Golden Boy video library and a bolstered social media package.

“These are difficult times for people all over the world,” Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, stated in a news release. “Our job for almost 20 years has been to entertain and delight fans with the best that boxing can offer, and we feel that it is our duty to continue doing so during this time.

“We will be successful if we can provide our fans just moments of solace and escape from this current global crisis as our talented team of editors and producers re-create both classic fights and barn burners into bite-sized segments that can be viewed in three to five minutes.”

Golden Boy provided some examples of the video content. Among the themes: “Best Knockouts”; “Before They Were Stars,” a look at the geneses of fighters’ careers; “Mexico vs. Puerto Rico,” showcasing the international rivalry; “The Breakdown,” fighters breaking down their own fights; and “Pound 4 Pound Presented by Ring Magazine,” a collection of fights selected by the magazine staff.

As part of the bolstered social media content, Golden Boy is featuring the following: “Ask Me Anything,” weekly Q&As with Golden Boy fighters; “Catching up in Quarantine,” interviews with fighters on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays; “IG Live,” weekly live broadcasts on the Golden Boy Instagram Story focusing on fighters’ lives; “Exclusive Footage,” behind the scenes video content; and “Welcome to My Quarantine,” in which fighters reveal how they are coping during lock down.

Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders fight still up in air amid pandemic

The spreading coronavirus threat continues to create chaos with boxing’s schedule, including the Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders fight.

The spreading coronavirus threat continues to create chaos with cancellations and uncertainty about boxing’s schedule over the next several weeks, including Canelo Alvarez’s projected super middleweight bout against Billy Joe Saunders on May 2 in Las Vegas.

It still hasn’t been announced and it’s not clear when, or if, it will.

Not even Saunders promoter Eddie Hearn is sure, although he expects an announcement, perhaps early this week.

“I do think it will be announced early next week now,” Hearn told iFL TV Saturday. “Everyone is getting their head around [coronavirus] and putting a strategy together. Billy Joe and Canelo is done, and all of the terms are agreed on that fight.’’

President Donald Trump announced further travel restrictions for U.K. and Irish citizens Saturday. Hearn said Saunders, who lives outside London, is already in the United States.

“Billy Joe is actually in America training right now,’’ Hearn said.

But it’s not clear whether promoters would want to proceed with the fight if the restrictions would limit U.K. fans from traveling to the U.S. for the bout. Canelo Alvarez is tied to Golden Boy Promotions.

“There is supposed to be a press conference,’’ Hearn said. “We’ll see what happens.”

The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended combat sports through March 25 at an emergency meeting Saturday. The state’s regulatory agency will decide on events after that date at a meeting scheduled for March 25.

“You’d like to think there is a very strong chance for May 2,” Hearn said. “Will it be postponed to the end of May, early June? Maybe. But that’s one for Golden Boy.”

Canelo Alvarez: Potential foes are asking for too much money

Canelo Alvarez is frustrated that potential opponents for his May 2 date are asking for too much money.

Canelo Alvarez is frustrated.

The Mexican superstar is still without an opponent for his annual May fight date and, to him, the reason is obvious.

“Because they want a lot of money,” he told ESPN Deportes. “When they go to fight with Canelo they want the moon and the stars. That is the complication.

“But there are many opponents, and there has to be one out there. I’m ready for anyone.”

Alvarez reportedly is close to a deal to fight super middleweight titleholder Billy Joe Saunders of England on May 2 but we’re heard that refrain before.

Golden Boy Promotions, Alvarez’s promoter, reportedly has made offers — or at least put out feelers — to Saunders, Callum Smith, Caleb Plant, Ryota Murata and who knows who else.

None have been willing to accept the amount of money being offered. Hence Alvarez’s frustration.

Murata, the Japanese middleweight contender, also reportedly was close to a deal but talks eventually cratered. It’s not clear what the reason was. Nevertheless, Alvarez, 29, is set on fighting in the Land of the Rising Sun.

“I want to end the year by fighting in Japan if God is willing. That is the idea,” Canelo said, according to BoxingScene.com.

Murata, a gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, was an undefeated professional until he was upset by Rob Brandt in 2018. He avenged the loss the following year with an early knockout. At 34, Murata has yet to face an elite opponent.

An Alvarez-Murata fight is thought to be attractive to streaming app DAZN, which has exclusive rights to Alvarez and maintains a relationship with Murata.

Alvarez also reiterated his desire to some day fight in his homeland of Mexico, which he has not done since 2011.

“Maybe not this year, but the next [year I will fight in Mexico].” Alvarez said. “There are possibilities to return to Mexico. I am delighted to come to Mexico. It can be anywhere in Mexico.”

Canelo Alvarez says he likes idea of fighting overseas

Canelo Alvarez told DAZN during Ruiz-Joshua II that he would be willing fight in Saudi Arabia, England or Japan in the near future.

Boxing’s biggest cash cow may be taking his show on the road.

Two-division titleholder Canelo Alvarez was in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia to support countryman Andy Ruiz Jr. in his highly anticipated heavyweight rematch against Anthony Joshua, who wound up winning a wide decision to regain his heavyweight titles.

Alvarez, who is coming off a 11^th round knockout of Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title, gave an interview during the DAZN broadcast discussing his plans. He, for one, is not opposed to staging his next fight in the Arabian desert.

“Of course, why not?” Alvarez said. “It’s an excellent opportunity. Of course, I can see myself fighting anywhere in the world.”

Alvarez has fought exclusively in North America, with the majority of his fights taking place in Las Vegas. He has also fought in San Antonio and New York City.

Alvarez continued: “I can see myself fighting here (Saudi Arabia), fighting in Japan, in England. Believe me, this is something. What a moment it would be for my career to fight anywhere in the world for the right opportunity.”

In Japan, Alvarez has a potentially lucrative matchup against domestic middleweight star Ryota Murata. Previously, there were talks about Alvarez’s arch-nemesis Gennadiy Golovkin facing Murata at the Tokyo Dome but nothing ever materialized. An Alvarez-Murata fight would be even bigger.

In England, there are options with super middleweights Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders, although the former is probably a more marketable fight. Smith’s brain trust have been vocal about facing Alvarez.