LAS VEGAS (August 20, 2020) — Light heavyweights Joe Smith Jr. and Eleider “Storm” Alvarez took the MGM Grand “Bubble” stage for the main event press conference Thursday afternoon in advance of Saturday’s WBO world title eliminator, which will stream live on ESPN+ (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET).

This is what two of the division’s heaviest hitters had to say.

Eleider Alvarez

“I feel 100 percent. I feel no pain since the recovery {from an injured shoulder}, so I feel great.

“{The Michael Seals knockout} was my first fight in 11 months, so I’m happy to be back. I want to put on a good performance. I felt that with the performance against Seals, I tried. I would’ve been happy with a decision. I was trying different things, but I got the knockout.

“When Oscar Rivas and I first came to Montreal, we didn’t speak English. We didn’t speak French. I knew a little bit of English, but over 10 years, I’ve learned to speak French. I’m even better in French than English. It’s been a special experience for me and here we are talking in French.

“It was hard for all the boxers, especially in the first two months to train, because everything was closed. We had to adapt to that. Now, things seem to be getting a little more back to normal. The gym is open. It’s not what it was. Hopefully, the pandemic can be over, and we can get back to normal. There were challenges, but we had them like every other fighter.

“I want to be champion of the world for a second time. Whether it’s by knockout or decision, I know Joe Smith comes to fight. I’m going to do the best I can to win this because I want to be champion of the world for a second time.”

Joe Smith Jr.

“Being the underdog, I always feel like I have something to prove. I don’t mind it. I like getting in there and proving the world that I belong at the top and should be a champion.

“The {first-round knockout} over Fonfara, I was like a 20-1 underdog in that fight. I came out and definitely shocked the world with that knockout. It got me here. It got me all the fights and the opportunities that I’ve gotten since. It all led up to this, and this one’s the big one. I’m really excited to be here and looking forward to getting another shot at a title.

“Same thing with Jesse Hart. I was pretty much the underdog in that fight. He was talking a lot, and I just kept it cool. I went in there and did what I had to do, and I got the win. That’s what I gotta keep doing.

“This is the number one priority right now for me. I’m just focused on getting this win Saturday night, so I trained very hard. I’m well prepared. As far as the tree business is going {Smith and his father own and operate Team Smith Tree Service on Long Island}, it’s definitely doing well. Due to the storms, we picked up some work. It was a little slow for some time because of the COVID 19, but it definitely has picked up. My father’s out there every day. He’s doing all the estimates. He’s running the business. I just pop in here and there. I haven’t been doing much with the business. I’ve just been focused on this.

“The only thing, this guy over here is trying to stop me from accomplishing the goal that I have set for myself.

“I’m just going to get in there and give it my all. I plan on coming out on top. I just want to put on a great show for everybody and have a great night.”

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com, ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

PHOTOS by MIKEY WILLIAMS / TOP RANK

Lee Baxter Promotions is proud to announce a night of professional boxing on Saturday, September 29th at The Cornwall Civic Centre in Cornwall, Canada.

In the main event the WBO-NABO Championship is on the line when current champion, Albert Onolunose (23-1-1, 7 KOs) takes on the current WBA-NABA Canadian Champion, Patrice Volny (11-0, 8 KOs) in a 10 round title fight with massive implications in Canada’s middleweight picture.

The Calgary based Onolunose, who won the title in his last fight, is taking on one of the hottest young fighters in Montreal’s Volny who is coming off a brutal TKO victory and title defense over Calgary’s rugged, Janks Trotter this past May.

The stakes are high as the WBO has mandated that the winner of Onolunose vs. Volny must face the fearsome Quebec knockout artist, Steven Butler 24-1-1 (21 KOs) within 120 days of the fight.

In even more middleweight action in the co-main event, Brandon Brewer (22-0, 11 KOs) will return to the ring after a year layoff and make his debut in the weight class after tearing through the junior middleweight division.

The undefeated fighter from New Brunswick is making it clear that he wants the winner of Onolunose vs. Volny.

“Canada is on the verge of producing another middleweight world champion and the winner of this showdown between two title holders will make them the front-runner. We expect fireworks in the ring as both fighters know what’s on the line.”, explains, Lee Baxter, President of Lee Baxter Promotions.

The card will also feature a stacked undercard of Canadian fighters going head to head that will be announced shortly.

“We’re stacking the undercard with some exciting domestic match ups. I want to bring great fights to the fans in Cornwall from the opening bell to the finish. We’re planning an absolutely spectacular night of professional boxing.”

tickets start at $35 dollars and VIP tables for up to 8 people available now starting at $1000. For more information visit www.leebaxterpromotions.com

Ticket patrons can purchase tickets at the Cornwall Civic Complex box office at (613) 938-9400, on-line at www.ticketpro.ca or toll free at 1-888-655-9090. The Complex box office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

http://www.15rounds.com/albert-onolunose-to-face-patrice-volny-for-the-wbo-nabo-middleweight-championship/

WBO Jr Middleweight World Champion Jaime Munguia added to Canelo-GGG

Fans at T-Mobile Arena and millions watching at home will be treated to a stacked undercard featuring current world champions and returning contenders in support of the Sepember 15 fight between Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) and WBC/WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (38-0, 34 KOs). The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 15 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at a special time of 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

“This historic rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin can only be supported by an equally great undercard,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “That’s why some of the best champions and contenders from all over the world will be featured on this event of international proportions, while some of our brightest prospects will have the opportunity of a lifetime on this undercard so they can one day headline events of this magnitude.”

In the co-main event, breakout Mexican star Jaime Munguia (30-0, 25 KOs) will make the second defense of his WBO Junior Middleweight World Title against rugged Canadian contender Brandon “Bad Boy” Cook (20-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round battle.

“I’m very motivated to be in such an important card,” said Munguia. “It will be the most important boxing event of the year. For me it is an honor to be on this card supporting Canelo Alvarez, who is also Mexican, on a date that is so special for Mexico, for me and for all of the people. We will do our best to please the public. I promise to not disappoint, so don’t miss my fight and don’t miss Canelo vs. GGG 2.”

Cook said, “It’s always been a dream for me to fight for a world title. To be on the biggest fight card of the year with two of my favorite fighters is a dream come true. Jaime Munguia is an exciting, young, up-and-coming fighter. He has great punching power in both hands. I’m going to do everything possible to bring that world title back home to Canada. I can’t thank Golden Boy Promotions enough for giving me this opportunity. I have a great team behind me and we will be ready September 15. I’m coming to fight.”

Fernando Beltran, CEO of Zanfer Promotions, said, “It can’t get any bigger for boxing than a Pay-Per-View fight in Las Vegas on Mexican Independence Day. That’s where Jaime Munguia is fighting and that’s where he deserves to fight. He always shows his best on the biggest stages and during biggest moments, so be ready for a spectacular performance from Munguia”

Undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO Champion Cecilia Braekhus (34-0, 9 KOs) of Cartagena, Colombiawill defend her titles in a 10-round welterweight fight.

https://www.boxingscene.com/canelo-vs-golovkin-rematch-undercard-officially-announced–131085

Date:  Saturday, November 30, 2013

Title:  WBO Lt. Heavyweight Championship

Location: Colisee de Quebec, Quebec City, Canada

Promoter:  GYM Promotions, Yvon Michel/Main Event

Supervisor:  John Duggan, Esq.

Referee:  Marlon Wright

Judges:  Pasquale Procopio, Jean Gauthier and Benoit Roussel

Result:  Kovalev knockout Sillarkh in the second round at 0:52.