Both the Kentucky Derby and the NBA Playoffs drew attention on May 6, but the sports world ended its night glued to Las Vegas for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight at T-Mobile Arena. What people around the world didn't see is the impact the two boxers had on the Mexican community in Las Vegas and those traveling to the city before the fight began.
The atmosphere around Las Vegas was electric all week and having two Mexican fighters, Canelo on his way to becoming Mexico's next legendary boxer and the other the son of Mexico's most popular fighter, competing on Cinco de Mayo weekend is a boxing promoter's dream. The excitement level jumped a notch during the fighter weigh-ins on May 5 at the MGM Grand hotel-casino. The crowd was split for both fighters and the only time where the two sides seemed to cooperate was during the playing of well-known Mexican songs over the loudspeakers. The fans' electricity stretched into Saturday, with many fight fans showing up hours early to party in front of T-Mobile Arena.
It didn't matter whether fans had on Canelo or Chavez Jr. headbands, which were being sold at a feverish rate, what truly mattered was that they were there to celebrate their country's rich boxing history. It's been 14-years since Las Vegas played host to a main event fight featuring two Mexican fighters on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Oscar de La Hoya defeated Yori Boy Campas on May 3, 2003.
"Easy money, and a lot of it, so far for @Canelo Alvarez" - Jim Lampley #canelochavezjr pic.twitter.com/b93PkwgUJD
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) May 7, 2017
In the boxing ring, Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. didn't live up to the fans' expectations. Canelo spent much of the fight chasing around an inactive Chavez Jr. and occasionally trapping him long enough to deliver a flurry of punches. Canelo Alvarez did everything he could to entice Chavez Jr. into a slug fest but to no avail. That led to a heavy chorus of boos when the fight went finals and the judge's scores were announced.
The jeers didn't last long because soon after Canelo's post fight interview HBO cut to a promo video of Canelo's next opponent and it was none other than top-5 pound-for-pound boxer Gennady "GGG" Golovkin.
The biggest fight in boxing has been made. 9/16 #CaneloGGG Middleweight Championship Fight pic.twitter.com/0cZ8lnXbgi
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) May 7, 2017
The crowd erupted at the sight of GGG on the screen and for the first time since Canelo's fight against Floyd Mayweather does he have an opponent many people feel is capable of defeating him.
The venue for the fight is yet to be announced, but there are reports of Golden Boy Promotions having T-Mobile Arena reserved for September 16.
No venue announced for GGG-Canelo but, again, know that Golden Boy has already reserved T-Mobile for Sept. 16. #Rjnow
— Ed Graney (@edgraney) May 7, 2017
If confirmed, boxing fans will again flock to Las Vegas for the epic clash of middleweights on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
