Live Stream: Canelo – Yildirim DAZN Weigh In

By Boxing News - 02/26/2021 - Comments

Canelo Alvarez hopes to turn Miami into another home for his blockbuster fight nights as he prepares to defend his WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight titles against mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim on Saturday night (February 27) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN and on TV Azteca in Mexico.

Weights: Canelo Alvarez 167.6 vs Avni Yildirim 167.6
Zhilei Zhang 256.2 vs Jerry Forrest 236
Diego Pacheco 168 vs Rodolfo Gomez 167
Alexis Espino 167.8 vs Ashton Sykes 164.2
Aaron Aponte 139.8 vs Harry Gigliotti 139.2
Keyshawn Davis 136.6 vs Lester Brown 134.6

The pound for pound king (54-1-2 36 KOs) is swiftly back in action after dominating Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas in December to land the titles he defends against Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) this weekend.

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The Mexican star must see off the challenge of the Turk if he’s to build towards becoming the first undisputed champion at 168lbs, but the fight also sees the 30 year old four weight World ruler fight in Florida for the first time as a World champion.

Canelo’s only fight in the Sunshine State was in December 2008 where he put Raul Pinzon to the sword inside a round in his 24th pro fight, and he hopes that Saturday night’s blockbuster event can be the first of many in Miami.

“I feel very motivated to be in Miami and have this fight,” said Canelo. “And to put on a great show for the people there because I don’t just represent Mexico, I represent all Latinos.

“I like everything about Miami and I am very happy to be here, it is an honor to fight at Hard Rock Stadium. I feel very excited, very happy, it’s even more motivation for me. To open another door in order to have another home for my fights. I really feel very happy.

“They only let us put 15,000 people in because of the pandemic, but with that we are fine. Last time in San Antonio it was around 12,000 and the stadium sounded like it was full. Let’s hope that normalcy will arrive soon, and the stadium can be filled, but with 15,000 I feel very good, and if there were 1,000 it would be the same, the support of the people is incredible, and I feel very grateful.

“You do feel the vibe of the fans when they are yelling and that motivates you much more, but you have to get into your head that in the end you are the only one up in the ring. I always prepare 100 per cent.”

Canelo’s clash with Yildirim is part of huge night of action at the home of the Miami Dolphins.

Julio Cesar Martinez (17-1 13 KOs) provides the chief support as he defends his WBC World Flyweight title against mandatory challenger McWilliams Arroyo (20-4 15 KOs) while Chinese Heavyweight star Zhilei Zhang (22-0 17 KOs) faces Jerry Forrest (26-4 20 KOs) over ten rounds.

A host of young talents get the chance to shine on the card in the form of Diego Pacheco. (10-0 8 KOs), Alexis Espino (6-0 4 KOs), Marc Castro (1-0 1 KO) and Aaron Aponte (1-0 1 KO).

Canelo vs Yildirim confirmed as “Fight for Peace”

On Saturday, February 27th World Boxing Council Super Middleweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico, will be defending his Green and Gold Belt against mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim of Turkey. This fight coincides with the mission of Pope Francisco, whose historic trip to Iraq on March 5th will be the first ever by a Pontiff. The Canelo/Yildirim event will celebrate the World Boxing Council`s commitment to BoxVal, an integral part of the Scholas Occurentes, a non-religious foundation of His Holiness, which encourages and promotes World Peace, especially amongst young people.

Scholas has designated the Canelo vs Yildirim “Fight for Peace “ as a tribute to inclusion and a continuous efforts to build bridges and promote peace in the world. BoxVal (Boxing with Values) is the boxing program under Scholas which reaches all corners of the world through our sport and is administered by The WBC.

This significant and heartfelt handshake of meaningful friendship prior to the fight, symbolized with white boxing gloves, is specifically designed to show the World, the genuine solidarity and unity of Boxing. Just because Canelo and Avni are rivals in the ring, it doesn`t diminish their mutual respect and regard for each other.

In the true spirit of sportsmanship, while Avni is a devout Muslim, Canelo is an observant Christian. Both men, who have previously trained together, are proud to represent their communities and countries. And as the WBC tradition of brotherhood, both boxers are proud to be members of BoxVal, symbolically planting Olive trees, as an Olive branch is brought to us and offered by a dove rather than a hawk.

The solidarity of this unity, was previously and prominently displayed in the lead up to the championship bout between Canelo Vs Amir Khan, which was the first ever Fight for Peace event under BoxVal. Amir is the President of the newly created WBC Middle East Federation. The WBC is embarking upon an initiative to boost boxing throughout the Middle East Region, to incorporate all nations, religions and creeds, under the umbrella of togetherness.

Boxing is a great leveler, bringing together young people seeking and sharing common ground, via training, fitness and sporting competition.

As the great Nelson Mandela once said:

“Sport has the power to change the World. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language that they understand.”

Pope Francisco`s Iraq trip, is another tremendous opportunity and enabler, spanning geography and belief. A first, but most certainly not a last meeting of minds via great Leaders, who want to set us all an example. His Holiness will meet and be greeted by Shia Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali-Husaymi Al Sistani. Together, they will sign a special document for Human Fraternity and World Peace.

His Holiness will also visit the ancient City of Ur, the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham and then on to Erbil, where he will be cheered by Civic and Religious Leaders of Kurdistan.

TICKETS FOR CANELO VS. YILDIRIM ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER – TICKETS START AT $55 (PLUS FEES) – FANS CAN VISIT HARDROCKSTADIUM.COM FOR MORE DETAILS