Alvarez vs. Ortiz on Showtime PPV from MGM Grand, Las Vegas – “Knockout Kings” PPV
Golden Boy announced in a media conference call Tuesday afternoon that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will meet Victor Ortiz on his scheduled September 15th date. The Canelo vs. Ortiz fight will be for Canelo’s WBC 154 lbs title and will be available on Showtime Pay-Per-View, taking place from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. The event is titled “Knockout Kings”, in response to the recent judging controversies plaguing the sport.
The idea is to host an event where the judges aren’t even required, and for the fighters, there’s a special bonus – a $100,000 check which will go to the “Knockout King” of the evening.
Fans will be able to vote t on which fighter earns the title of the Knockout King. That fighter will take home a $100,000 bonus check, so there’s a lot at stake, and there’s plenty of incentive for the fighters involved to take matters out of the judges’ hands, and that’s what the folks at Golden Boy are seeking.
The goal was to, “Put together a fight card where we can leave the judges at home,” according to Richard Schaefer.
“It’s our obligation as a promoter to bring exciting fights, especially to bring fights that will not require judging. Knockout Kings is the perfect title, the perfect name for this event… No judging needed. The fans deserve it, they want great fights,” said Oscar De La Hoya.
The co-main event of the evening will showcase Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Daniel Ponce De Leon, two fan-favorite fighters who always bring the heat. Gonzalez, the current WBC featherweight titleholder, is riding a 12 fight winning streak, with 11 stoppages.
To help promote the Canelo vs. Ortiz match, Showtime will be doing a 4-part “All Access” television series, which will be done in both English and Spanish. The fight will also be promoted across the CBS network.
Of course, Ortiz is fighting on Showtime in July, against Josesito Lopez. That fight will still be taking place, and in order for Canelo vs. Ortiz to come off, Ortiz will need to emerge as the winner, and unscathed enough to be ready for another fight in two and a half months.
Alvarez had previously been scheduled to face Paul Williams, before Williams was in a tragic motorcycle accident. James Kirkland then stepped in, but left with a combination of injuries and increased money demands.
