Boxing News: Canelo Alvarez Takes Steps To Boost Local Talent; Martinez Kicks Off Mexico Series

Canelo Alvarez, Eddy Reynoso, DAZN and Matchroom promotions have come together to stage a series of fights in a new four-part Mexico series.

WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez will headline the series when he defends his title against challenger Joel Cordova at the Domo Alcade, Gigantes de Jalisco Arena in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 26. The June 26 fight will be followed by three events from Mexico that will follow over the next year.

The series is part of DAZN and Matchroom’s game-changing five-year global deal that was announced last week.

Multiple world boxing record holder Alvarez said he believes that this will provide a huge boost to Mexican fighters who want to reach their dreams. He stressed how boxers needed to travel and defend their belts to get chances and said he hopes this initiative will change all that.

“Sometimes our champions have to travel internationally to defend their belts and land opportunities. We plan on providing those opportunities in Mexico and giving young fighters the chance to develop and change their lives,” Alvarez said in a statement on DAZN.

Reynoso agreed with Canelo, aware that there are a lot of talents in Mexico who deserve new opportunities. He said he hopes the new shows will allow title-holders to defend their belts on Mexican soil and help prospects grow.

“I am very proud to bring this exciting new project to Mexico and these new opportunities for our fighters,” Reynoso said. “There is so much talent in our country and these new shows will allow our champions to defend their belts on home soil and our prospects to get the chance to continue to grow.”

Martinez will defend his title for the third time. He was originally set to defend it in the undercard of the Canelo vs. Avni Yildirim fight in February. A hand injury prevented him from facing McWilliams Arroyo. Regardless, the 26-year-old pug is just happy to be fighting again right in his home country against Cordova.

"I am so happy to be able to fight again and make a much-anticipated comeback,” Martinez said. “I am even more excited to be able to fight in my home country of Mexico and defend my title here. I am very motivated to reignite my career on such a platform."

Aside from Martinez, also fighting on June 26 will be Daniel Matellon, who will defend his WBA world light-flyweight title against Jose Argumedo.