Canelo-Kirkland: Taishan, Diaz, Clottey Added To Show
Posted by: Boxing Clever on 4/8/2015
HOUSTON (April 8)—Everything is always bigger in Texas and that will certainly be the case when it comes to the undercard of one of the most anticipated fights of the year, Canelo vs. Kirkland at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Saturday, May 9.
Chinese heavyweight sensation Taishan (3-0, 2 KOs), 2012 U.S Olympian Joseph "Jo Jo" Diaz Jr. (15-0, 10 KOs) and top contender Joshua "Grand Master" Clottey (38-4, 22 KOs) will headline the non-televised undercard. In addition, some of Texas' top talent will be featured on the card as well including the professional debut of welterweight James Leija Jr., the son of Texas Boxing Legend Jesse James Leija.
In the previously announced main event of the evening, Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) will face off against Texas knockout artist James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs), and former three-time world champion Humberto "La Zorrita" Soto (65-8-2, 35 KOs) will battle unbeaten star Frankie "Pitbull" Gomez (18-0, 13 KOs) in the co-main event, both set to air live on HBO World Championship Boxing ® starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The undefeated KeAndre Gibson (12-0-1, 5 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri will take on Jorge Romero (24-9, 21 KOs) of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico in an eight-round welterweight fight. San Antonio's Joseph Rodriguez (8-0, 2 KOs), who is also undefeated, will fight a six-round featherweight bout against Luis Guevara (3-0-1, 2 KOs) of Houston, Texas. Also, seasoned fighter Rodrigo "Gatito" Guerrero (22-5-1, 15 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico will fight in a 10-round bantamweight bout. All missing opponents will be announced shortly.
Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, are available for purchase at Astros.com/boxing, the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at
www.ticketmaster.com. There is a 19-ticket limit per household.
http://www.boxingscene.com/canelo-kirkland-taishan-diaz-clottey-added-show--89481
Plus Emmanuel Taylor vs Antonio Orozco is on the TV card as the opener, before Soto vs Gomez and Canelo vs Kirkland