Golden Boy Promotions has reserved the brand new MGM arena in Las Vegas, NV for May 7, 2016. The date has been reserved for a fight featuring Mexican star and lineal/WBC Middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez, against an opponent to be determined.
Bob Bennett, executive director of the NSAC, confirmed the news to Boxing Scene. “Golden Boy Promotions has placed a hold for Canelo to fight at the new arena on May 7,” stated Bennett.
“It will come up at the next hearing [on January 12], at which time we will vote on whether or not to approve the request.”
The wireless carrier T-Mobile announced late Wednesday (per USA Today) that it had reached a multi-year agreement with AEG and MGM Resorts International to become the name sponsor on the new 20,000-seat Las Vegas arena.
The T-Mobile Arena, as it will be officially called, is set to open April 6, with various shows already listed on their website. The first boxing event will be May 7 as long as everything is approved for Golden Boy Promotions to proceed.
According to Eric Gomez (per Ring TV)–matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions–some possible opponents for Canelo include Gabriel Rosado–who is coming off a decision victory over Joshua Clottey–and Willie Monroe–whose last fight was a sixth-round TKO loss to Kazakh crusher, Gennady Golovkin.
Regardless of the opponent, the focus will be on Canelo starring in the arena’s first boxing event and taking over the coveted Cinco de Mayo weekend in boxing.
Who would you like to see Canelo face next?
T-Mobile Arena will be the destination in Las Vegas for live events – from amazing music acts to thrilling sporting events – it will set a new standard for what entertainment means in the city that does it best. The 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena will host exciting, world-class events with something for everyone – from UFC, boxing, hockey, basketball and bull riding to high-profile awards shows and top-name concerts.
Header photo by Brant Wilson/RBRBoxing
