Canelo Alvarez's latest opponent, Alfredo Angulo, brings and entertaining style to the ring but has a recent resume that brings his credentials for such a high-profile fight into question. Perhaps Golden Boy Promotions recognized this, because they've stuffed the card with three matchups that put title belts up for grabs.
In the first fight of the evening the IBF super welterweight champion Carlos Molina, whom Canelo's camp initially called for to be in the main event, will defend his strap against highly-touted prospect Jermall Charlo.
After that, young action fighter Omar Figueroa, who engaged in a 2013 Fight of the Year candidate with Nihito Arakawa, will return to the squared circle against Alvarez's brother Ricardo. That July fight necessitated a break for Figueroa; in addition to taking a savage beating from the high-output Arakawa, he injured both of his hands.
"I can't wait to get back into the ring on March 8. It's been too long and I'm ready to defend my title," Figueroa said. "The fans know what I can do in the ring, and they're going to see the best version of me yet against Alvarez."
"World champions are in the Alvarez bloodline, and we're going to make history when I become the latest champion from our family," said Ricardo Alvarez, aiming to become the third family member to win a strap. "Figueroa is a great young fighter, but I will be the one with his hand raised in victory."
The co-main event to follow those two bouts will be Leo Santa Cruz vs. Cristian Mijares. "I've always been a fan of Cristian Mijares, and I know he will give me a tough fight on March 8," Santa Cruz said. "When two Mexicans get into the ring together, it's always a show, and this fight will be no different."
"This is without a question one of the deepest and most entertaining cards (we have) ever put together," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said. "(It's) my strong belief that fight fans who pay for a PPV event want to be able to enjoy entertainment from top to bottom."
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