In the co-featured bout of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Liam Smith pay-per-view card, Willie Monroe Jr. (21-2, 6 KOs) defeated Gabriel Rosado (23-10, 13 KOs) by a unanimous decision in a scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title.
Before the fights took place there were rumors stirring that the winner would face Canelo Alvarez in December, but it seems that Monroe may need to anticipate seeking another opponent.
Both Monroe and Canelo won their fights leading most to believe that a fight could be made between the two to close out the year. Succeeding the fight, information was released that Canelo fractured his right hand and would be out with this injury for the remainder of the year.
“I want to thank HBO for the opportunity, hopefully I performed and they want to bring me back,” said Monroe after the fight, giving nod to Canelo’s contracted television presenter.
Hey, nothing wrong with a little brown nosing when it has the potential to earn you a pay-per-view main event right?
After losing to Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, in May of 2015, Monroe struggled to find opportunities to fight, before eventually landing a deal with Banner Promotions and ultimately getting the Rosado co-feature bout.
The fortitude of Monroe throughout his woes was recognized lyrically by Rochester rapper, D-Will, in his song entitled “Superhero” in which he states, “I’m feeling just like Willie Monroe, down in 2K11, but now your boy back on the road.”
Monroe has had his shares of ups and downs in the business side of the boxing world and knows the massive opportunity that a fight and possible win over Canelo could mean for his career, as well as his wallet.
Monroe even made a post to his Twitter account months ago expressing his desire to fight Canelo as he enters the true middleweight division of 160 pounds.
While waiting for Canelo’s return and still hoping to be selected as his next opponent, Monroe has also expressed interest in facing WBO middleweight Champion, Billy Jo Saunders, of the United Kingdom.
Saunders, may or may not have had his sights set on a matchup with GGG; nonetheless, Golovkin seems to have opted to discuss a contract with his mandatory challenger, Daniel Jacobs and has also placed a counter offer with Canelo.
This new information makes the possibility of a fight with Saunders more of a reality for Monroe, as both are seeking there next opponent.
“I am very proud of Willie,” stated Artie Pelullo, Banner Promotions President. “He showed how talented he is in fighting Gabriel Rosado. Rosado is not an easy guy to fight and Willie dominated the pace of the entire fight. There are big fights in Willie’s future, as he is one of the top Middleweights in the world.”
Regardless of whom his opponent will be, Monroe welcomes his next fight with great anticipation.
“I am excited about what is next. Whether it is Canelo or Billy Joe Saunders, I am just excited about everything that will come in my future.”
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./RBRBoxing
