Alvarez To Defend Title

Saul Alvarez will defend his WBC light-middleweight title against Josesito Lopez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on 15 September.

Lopez is the latest in a long line of opponents for ‘Canelo’ on Mexican Independence Day after Paul Williams, James Kirkland and Victor Ortiz all fell by the wayside.

“It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for Mexican and Mexican-American fans.”

Ortiz had been named as the 15 September opponent just days before his recent contest with Lopez, only for the welterweight to stun Ortiz with a ninth round stoppage.

Several names had been thrown around for the matchup in two months’ time, although Lopez’s name was not high on the list having never fought at 154lbs.

“We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on 23 June,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.