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The last seven memorable fights between top Mexican fighters

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Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia will face each other on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which could add another chapter to the book of battles between top Mexican fighters. This fight in particular has attracted a lot of attention as it is a fight for the undisputed super middleweight title.

Recently, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said that Alvarez’s fight with Munguia could start a memorable trilogy.

“Erik Morales z [Marco Antonio] Barrera, Rafael Marquez with Israel Vazquez, “El Puas” [Ruben Olivares] with Chucho Castillo, [Carlos] Zarate-[Alfonso] Zamora, it was just one fight,” Sulaiman noted while presenting the special Tamaulipas Belt that the WBC will award to the winner of this fight. “There are so many battles between Mexican boxers that it is complex to choose one. But today we can start with the Canelo-Munguia trilogy because it has all the elements to make it happen.”

It’s tough to think about a trilogy when we still don’t know what we’ll see in their first fight, and mentioning the word “battle” seems even riskier since Alvarez is a -550 favorite according to ESPN BET.

Throughout history we have witnessed great fights between Mexican warriors. Raul “Raton” Macías fought Fili Nava in two fights that went the distance in 1954. Also unforgettable is the incredible rivalry that led former boxing teammates Zarate, then 25, and Zamora, 23, both undefeated bantamweight champions to face each other in 1977.

The great Julio Cesar Chavez built his legendary career on a hard-fought fight against Mario “Azabache” Martinez to win the WBC junior lightweight title in 1984.

But what were the last large battles between two of Mexico’s top fighters?


Erik Morales’ Fight Marco Antonio Barrera’s Trilogy

This is one of the most remembered trilogies not only in Mexican boxing, but in the boxing world. Morales and Barrera gave fans 36 rounds of punches, action and controversy. Barrera fought two of those fights, but for many – including me – Morales deserved at least one more win. Whenever two Mexicans step into the ring, you can expect the level of intensity that Morales and Barrera gave us in three battles, two of which were named Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year (the first and third).


Quadrilogy of Rafael Marquez vs. Israel Vazquez

This rivalry became one of the most remembered quadrilogies in boxing history. Between 2007 and 2010, we played four Marquez vs. Vazquez matches (2-2 draw), three of which ended in KO. In the first fight, Marquez scored a stoppage in the seventh round, Vazquez took the next fight after a controversial stoppage in the sixth round, and the third after a split decision (114-111 for Marquez, 114-111 and 113-112 for Vazquez). . However, in the fourth battle, Marquez ended the competition, destroying “The Magnificent” in three rounds.


Juan Manuel Marquez Marco Antonio Barrera fight

There seemed to be no bad blood between the two fighters, but everything changed in the seventh round when Barrera knocked down “Dinamita” in the final seconds at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas in 2007. However, when Marquez had his gloves on the canvas, Barrera delivered a blow to his head, costing him a one-point loss. Marquez won a majority unanimous decision (116-111, 116-111, 118-109) to capture the WBC junior lightweight title.


Francisco Vargas fights Orlando Salido

Vargas just knocked out Takashi Miura in ESPN’s 2015 Fight of the Year. “Siri” was already a solid champion heading into retirement, but he still had a great fight ahead of him in the ring. According to CompuBox, in a real fight from start to finish, both fighters landed a total of 2,123 punches, but somehow managed to stay on their feet throughout the fight, which was ultimately ruled a draw. Although she was named ESPN’s Fight of the Year in 2016, the rematch never materialized.


Canelo Alvarez Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Fight

This fight between two of the most popular names of the time raised a lot of expectations among Mexican fans: Alvarez, a rising champion, against the son of a legend. Unfortunately, the performance in the ring did not live up to expectations. Alvarez was beating Chavez over the course of 12 rounds, with Chavez doing everything in his power to not get knocked out. Ultimately, the three judges’ cards were 120-108 in favor of Alvarez. This fight had more importance in the preparation than the fight itself.


Oscar Valdez vs. Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete

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Emanuel Navarrete wins instant classic vs. Oscar Valdez

Emanuel Navarrete is victorious in a 12-round classic fight against Oscar Valdez in Arizona.

After losing the WBC junior lightweight title to Shakur Stevenson in April 2022, Valdez challenged “Vaquero” for the WBO title in August 2023. The result was a 12-round championship run by the champion from start to finish. Valdez couldn’t figure out Navarrete and suffered the second loss of his career by a significant unanimous decision (119-109, 118-110 and 116-112). The victory cemented Navarrete’s position as one of Mexico’s top current champions.


Oscar Valdez vs. Miguel “Alacran” Berchelt

Perfect ingredients. Valdez, an undefeated fighter in his third fight at junior lightweight, after a three-year vacation of the featherweight title with six successful defenses, against a solid champion in Berchelt with six successful defenses of his WBC junior lightweight belt. The result was a fierce fight that ended in the 10th round with a spectacular KO of Valdez, who connected with Berchelt’s chin and sent him face to face to the canvas.

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The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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