There is also some frustration on Duarte’s side with the transfers. He’s still upset about how his Feb. 21 date with former IBF 140-pound champion Richardson Hitchins fell apart on fight day. The tardy withdrawal wiped out months of work, leaving Duarte without results after a full training camp and the associated expenses. This fight will be his first real chance to turn this stretch into something concrete.

Duarte pointed directly to the clash of styles. He expects pressure and prefers to face it rather than deal with it.

“I’m here to show my best and let everyone know what I’m capable of,” Duarte said. “Fierro is an aggressive player, so am I. The only way to neutralize his aggressiveness is to step forward and show him what I mean.”

This approach fits his recent career. Duarte has built his reputation on constant pressure and volume in attack, and he has no intention of changing his identity here. He also used the moment to point to a goal beyond Saturday, naming Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz as the type of fight he wants next if he can beat Fierro.

Fierro didn’t throw away style expectations. He embraced it.

“I love being the underdog. I’m here to crash the party,” Fierro said. “I gave everyone an amazing fight against Pitbull Cruz and I will do it again against Duarte.”

This reference to Cruz is significant. Fierro’s loss in this fight still improved his position due to the pace and damage dealt. Here he’s counting on a similar performance whether he wins or not, but he’s made it clear he expects more this time.

“I’m here to steal the show… we’ll delight the fans and I’ll come out with the victory.”

The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds, which gives it room to turn into something more arduous than a typical undercard fight. Both players rely on pressure, both are willing to trade and neither is talking about caution.

This usually leads to a fight that doesn’t last long.

Ahead of reports of a rematch, Manny Pacquiao is unconvinced by Floyd Mayweather’s claims that he is the greatest fighter of all time and even questions his celebrated 50-0 record.

In 2015, Pacquiao became the 48th name on Mayweather’s resume, losing by unanimous decision in Las Vegas on a night when the main event didn’t produce the expected results but finances skyrocketed.

It’s for this reason Netflix supported the rematch between the pairscheduled for later this year but under increased scrutiny since Mayweather changed his original statement.

I’m talking to VibrationPacquiao said the fight was contractually agreed upon. He then dismissed Mayweather’s claim as the best ever, saying others had retired undefeated before him and would do it again. In fact, the Filipino icon doesn’t even believe this should be the case with his rival, claiming that he lost to Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.

“I think he lost the Oscar De La Hoya fight. Look it up. I know what boxing is, and if you go through it and watch the fight, Floyd lost it. Very clear, so watch it.”

Mayweather faced Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas. It was the biggest fight in sports at the time.

The fight was tight early on, with De La Hoya using his jab and size, but Mayweather adjusted as the match went on, providing cleaner and more precise work down the stretch. He took a split decision to win the title and thus replaced the “Golden Boy” as boxing’s leading commercial fortune.

De La Hoya has long criticized Mayweather for not accepting a rematch clause in his contract, accusing him of retiring at the right time and coming back to avoid it.

If that were the case, the American icon could face similar accusations in 2026, as it increasingly looks like Pacquiao’s rematch – despite his comments – is in jeopardy.

Alvarez, 35, had elbow surgery last year and will miss the weekend in which he has always been the main character. He has wrestled on Cinco de Mayo weekend every year since 2015, except for 2018 and 2020.

Saturday’s event will be hosted by David Benavidez, who will move up to cruiserweight to face unified champion Gilberto Ramirez. Benavidez previously had mandatory super middleweight status during Alvarez’s undisputed title fight.

Alvarez last fought in September during Mexican Independence Weekend, losing a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford. It is expected to return in mid-September on the same holiday weekend.

His presence on Saturday drew attention because the co-main event will be a fight for the WBA 168-pound title. Munguia vs. Winner Resendiz will hold the belt in Alvarez’s division, which will make the outcome crucial to his next opponent’s options. No direct link has been confirmed, but a different name has been added to the current title image as a result.

If Resendiz wins, he becomes a huge high reward and manageable risk target should Saul return home. Resendiz is tough and has that unrelenting “Toro” style, but he’s technically the type of aggressive fighter that Saul has long timed and countered with ease.

The event will be broadcast on Prime Video and DAZN. Former promoter Oscar De La Hoya is also expected to be in attendance to support his fighters, including Ramirez and Oscar Duarte. In recent years, De La Hoya has publicly criticized Alvarez.