With the boxing world focused on all of the disastrous news as of late, as both Lamont Peterson vs. Amir Khan II and Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto II have been cancelled due to failed drug tests for steroids, there’s finally some good news to pick things up a bit. A few new fights have been added to the boxing calendar. In July Amir Khan will take on undefeated junior welterweight titleholder Danny Garcia, and this September, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will meet Paul “The Punisher” Williams in a junior middleweight showdown.
Canelo vs. Paul Williams
Canelo Alvarez will take on Paul Williams on September 15th in a Pay-Per-View event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It’s Mexican Independence Day weekend, so it’s always a big time for a fight, and it makes sense for Canelo to be in action. Coming off his undercard showing on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto PPV, they’re now putting him in the headliner roll against Williams.
Currently, we have Alvarez ranked #4 and Williams ranked at #9 in our junior middleweight divisional rankings. Alvarez will look to make a statement against Williams as he continues his climb towards superstardom, while Williams is still trying to rebuild his reputation following the “win” against Erislandy Lara and his crushing KO loss to Sergio Martinez.
Khan vs. Garcia
Amir Khan will take on undefeated WBC titleholder Danny Garcia in a junior welterweight showdown on July 14th, either in Las Vegas or California. The fight will be televised on HBO. Currently Khan is ranked at #3 and Garcia at #5 of our junior welterweight divisional rankings. It’s a very intriguing fight for both men, and certainly a worthy replacement opponent for Khan.
I like Garcia and his game plan, but I find it difficult to imagine him beating Khan. He doesn’t have crushing KO power, and he doesn’t bring intense pressure, or an awkward style. He’ll have to outbox Khan, which will prove difficult, but it’s a good fight either way and there will be plenty at stake.
Also on the card will be Seth Mitchell taking on Johnathon Banks, according to RingTV.com.
Victor Ortiz vs. Josesito Lopez
Meanwhile, Victor Ortiz is slated to face Josesito Lopez on June 23rd. Lopez is coming off a close loss to Jessie Vargas in a junior welterweight bout, after having scored several upset victories over more highly touted prospects and fighters. Lopez isn’t a bad opponent, but he’s not exactly a marquee name, either.
So there you have it. Canelo vs. Williams and Khan vs. Garcia definitely provides some good news and forward momentum compared to the rest of the conversation in boxing as of late. Keep on checking us out here at ProBoxing-Fans.com for more boxing news, updates and rumors all day, every day.
