WE are now just three weeks away from the boxing event of the year, as Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford prepare for a historic super-middleweight showdown. Now, the undercard has been unveiled in full, although there is one notable absentee.
Last week, it was confirmed that Christian Mbilli, 29-0 (24 KOs), would take on fellow undefeated 168lber Lester Martinez, 19-0 (16 KOs), in the co-main event of the Canelo-Crawford bill.
Meanwhile, an intriguing super-welterweight battle between Callum Walsh, 14-0 (11 KOs), and Fernando Vargas Jr., 17-0 (15 KOs), was also scheduled, as was another high-profile appearance for Saudi fan-favourite, Mohammed Alakel, 5-0 (1 KO).
However, the remainder of the night’s offering was announced yesterday, as a six-bout preliminary card was shared on Dana White’s Instagram, which will be free to watch on YouTube come fight night.
In the highlight of the prelims, Ukraine’s Serhii Bohachuk, 26-2 (24 KOs), rematches California’s Brandon Adams, 25-4 (16 KOs), in a bid to avenge the lone stoppage defeat of his career, four-and-a-half years from their meeting in Puerto Rico.
Additionally, two-time Olympic bronze medallist Ivan Dychko, 15-0 (14 KOs), makes a notable jump up in opposition, as the 6’ 9” Kazakh meets with the well-respected Jermaine Franklin, 23-2 (15 KOs), in the heavyweight division.
Crawford’s stablemate Steven Nelson, 20-1 (16 KOs), also appears against Cuba’s Reiko Santana, 12-4 (6 KOs), who upset Lorenzo Simpson last year.
Finally, Japanese super-featherweight prospect Reito Tsutsumi, 2-0 (1 KO), will fight for a third time within four months, as will Mexico’s Paris 2024 silver medallist Marco Verde, 2-0 (1 KO), whilst Saudi-based Sultan Almohamed is scheduled for a professional debut.
Yet, despite the host of additions, some fans will recall July’s BoxRaw sparring competition, where a spot on the Canelo-Crawford card was potentially up for grabs, if one participant impressed.
There, Texas-native Marquis Taylor, 18-1-2 (3 KOs), went viral after knocking out Jacob Solis, but the middleweight contender, trained by two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter, still has no place on the card – despite the online traction that his spar received when shared by Turki Al-Alshikh.
Boxing News have now been informed that Taylor has been issued with a Cease & Desist letter by CEO of BiYu Promotions, Bobby Harrison, alleging a breach of his recent five-year management contract that was signed by Taylor, who has been accused of attempting to sign with J Prince.
In an official statement from BiYu Promotions, Harrison expressed his disappointment in Taylor, after previously guiding the 31-year-old to the NABF title and his current WBC #13 world ranking at 160lbs.
“Two years ago, Marquis came to me because nobody — including Prince — could get him meaningful fights. He was undefeated for eight years and still ignored.
“I invested hundreds of thousands into his career, provided housing, helped secured him a NABF title, helped get him ranked by the WBC. And now, after one viral clip, he walks away in favour of a someone who didn’t even want him before.
“They see an opportunity to profit from my work and shed me aside. This is the kind of dirtiness boxing is known for — but I’m not letting it slide. We will be fighting it and shining a light on it every step of the way.”
It is understood that Saudi powerhouse Al-Alshikh will soon announce a card for the open workouts of Canelo-Crawford on the Wednesday night of fight week, but Taylor’s involvement remains extremely unlikely due to this ongoing dispute.
