Daniel Jacobs, Seth Mitchell Also on Undercard of Alvarez-Hatton:
The return of a knockout artist, the continuing journeys of top contenders and top undefeated prospects will all be featured on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Matthew “Magic” Hatton undercard this Saturday, March 5, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Some of boxing’s biggest stars will be ringside taking in the event including Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan, Paulie Malignaggi, Sergio Mora, Victor Ortiz, Austin Trout, Abner Mares, Peter Quillin, Carlos Molina, Luis Ramos Jr., Ronny Rios, Jamie Kavanagh and Charles Huerta.
Featured on the undercard are power-puncher James Kirkland stepping back into the ring for the first time in two years to face Ashandi Gibbs in an eight round middleweight matchup; undefeated heavyweight Seth Mitchell looking to continue his rise to the top of the division when he faces veteran Charles Davis in a ten round battle; highly-regarded middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs facing Minnesota’s Robert Kliewer in a ten round bout; and unbeaten rising stars Alfonso Blanco and Trevor McCumby taking to the ring to showcase their talents for Southern California fight fans
Alvarez vs. Hatton, a 12 round fight for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and Hatton Promotions. The evening’s co-featured bout, Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Adrien Broner, a 10 round junior lightweight fight for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Junior Lightweight Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with R & R Promotions. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, DeWalt Tools and Tres Generaciones. HBO will televise the doubleheader as part of their Boxing After Dark series beginning at 10:30pm ET/PT
Tickets, priced at $200, $125, $75, $50 and $25, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com and via charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 and at the Honda Center Box Office.
Austin’s James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KO’s) is back and ready to resume his quest for a world championship after two years away from the ring. A crowd pleasing power-puncher who has thrilled fans with his knockouts of Eromosele Albert, Ricardo Cortes, Brian Vera and Joel Julio, the 26-yearold southpaw’s return is one of the most highly-anticipated in recent years. Looking to derail the Kirkland Express is St. Petersburg spoiler Ashandi “Mr. Brixx” Gibbs (10-2, 4 KO’s). A four-year veteran who has become a fan favorite in Florida, Gibbs has the style and determination to test any opponent, and when he steps into the ring with Kirkland this weekend, it’s with one goal – to win.
Heavyweight sensation Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (20-0-1, 14 KO’s) had his biggest year to date in 2010, going five for five with five knockouts, including wins over Taurus Sykes, Derek Bryant and Johnnie White. On Saturday, the former Michigan State University standout linebacker faces Tucson veteran Charles Davis (19-21-3, 4 KO’s), who returns to the ring following a draw with Monte Barrett in January and is hungry for a win over his undefeated opponent.
Former world title challenger Daniel “The Golden Child” Jacobs (21-1, 18 KO’s) bounced back from the lone loss of his career to Dmitry Pirog last July with a fifth round TKO of Jesse Orta in December. The 24-year-old Brooklyn native is looking to keep his usual active fight schedule going in 2011 against St. Paul, Minnesota’s Robert Kliewer (11-12-2, 5 KO’s). The 23-year-old Kliewer is coming off of an eight-round decision win over ‘The Contender’s Anthony Bonsante last December that saw him drop his foe three times en route to victory.
Also action this weekend will be middleweight Alfonso Blanco (2-0, 1 KO) of Caracas, Venzuela, who squares off against Puerto Rico’s Pablo Ruiz (0-2), and light heavyweight Trevor McCumby (1-0, 1 KO), who will face an opponent to be determined. Both bouts are scheduled for four rounds.
