HBO Sports, widely acclaimed for its innovative boxing programming, takes an in-depth look at one of boxing’s brightest superstars as he prepares to challenge a 154-pound champion from the UK at one of the world’s most spectacular arenas when ROAD TO CANELO/SMITH debuts SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 (12:45-1:00 a.m. ET/PT).
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 11 (11:30 a.m., 3:15 a.m.), 12 (1:25 p.m., 1:45 a.m.), 13 (6:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m.), 14 (10:00 a.m., 10:30 p.m.), 15 (4:00 p.m.), 16 (1:10 a.m.) and 17 (5:45 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Sept. 15 (8:45 p.m.), 16 (6:30 p.m.) and 17 (11:45 a.m.)
The special will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand, and at hbo.com/boxing, as well as other new media platforms.
Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs), 26, has fashioned a brilliant career, capturing junior middleweight and middleweight world titles. After knocking out challenger Amir Khan last May, Canelo fulfills his commitment to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend by challenging England’s Liam Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) for his 154-pound crown. A native of Liverpool, England, Smith, 28, is one of four brothers who box professionally. The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex., home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The special visits Canelo and Smith as they train for their Sept. 17 junior middleweight title showdown.
ROAD TO CANELO/SMITH is narrated by Liev Schreiber.
“Canelo vs. Smith” takes place Saturday, Sept. 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/ 6:00 p.m. (PT).
For more information, visit hbo.com/boxing; become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/HBOBoxing; and follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #CaneloSmith.
Canelo talks Smith fight
Former two-division world champion Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) and British knockout artist, WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) have opened up about training camp ahead of their September 17 clash at the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. Canelo is training in San Diego while Liam Smith is training on his home turf in Liverpool, England.
“Both Canelo and Liam Smith’s camps are looking great, and I can see that these fighters have clearly become bigger and stronger with their training regimens,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Having trained like this myself, I can tell that both will be going in for the kill come fight night, as we can see these fighters demonstrating abundant strength and power.”
“My training camp will last a total of seven weeks,” said Canelo Alvarez. “My focus is becoming a world champion-that’s the main purpose of this fight. To become a world champion one more time will be sweet and memorable. This victory would be for all my Mexican fans and those all over the world. On fight night, the fans can expect to see two explosive styles clashing in the first round. The iconic venue will be amazing that night and everyone will not be disappointed.”
“I know Liam Smith has a similar style as mine,” continued Alvarez. “He likes to trade punches and that will make a terrific fight. I don’t like to make predictions or announce my strategy. But one thing I can say is that it will be a fight to remember. I am planning a big surprise when I get into the ring. The fans inside the AT&T Stadium and those ones watching at home will witness something special.”
“Canelo’s experience will be his fundamental advantage over Liam Smith in his fight,” said Eddy Reynoso, head trainer to Canelo Alvarez. “Canelo has fought a tremendous amount of talented fighters and I believe that will be the difference is this fight.”
“Training camp will have been 12 weeks and the focus is to be in great shape and bully the bully. The fans should expect a great fight, a war,” said Liam Smith. “Both of us have great variety and both box better on the front foot so we know nobody is going to want to give that up.”
“I know Canelo will put up a very good fight and can fight and box-he’s a solid 154, but my strategy is to match him with everything, then go one step further and do things he doesn’t want to do,” continued Smith. “I think I have already surprised my fans and a lot of others with my size, I know many thought Canelo was a monster and a lot bigger than me, which he isn’t, but they will be also surprised how much I raise my game with a better fighter in front of me. A win is going to mean everything, it’s going to change my life, give me a better future and announce myself as the best 154 pound fighter in the world.”
“Liam is a focused World Champion out to prove he a worthy world champ, said Joe Gallagher, Ring Magazine 2015 Trainer of the Year and trainer to Liam Smith. “He is under no pressure. All pressure is on Canelo as challenger to win and win in style on Mexican Independence Day Weekend.”
Canelo Alvarez was last seen in the ring defeating former WBC Silver Welterweight Champion Amir “King” Khan by devastating six-round knockout of their scheduled 12-round middleweight world championship match. Liam Smith has defeated eight of his last opponents by way of knockout-all before the third round. As the current WBO Junior Middleweight World Champ after his thrilling victory over Predrag “Pedja” Radosevic, “Beefy” will not go down without a relentless fight to maintain his title.
Tickets are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100, $85, $50 and $40, not including applicable service charges with a total ticket limit of 8 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com Additionally, walk up purchases are available at the AT&T Stadium Box Office (Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. CT to 5:00 p.m. CT).
Canelo vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Frank Warren and Canelo Promotions. Gabriel Rosado vs. Willie Monroe, Jr. is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Banner Promotions and Diego De La Hoya vs. Luis Orlando Del Valle is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Roc Nation Sports. The event is sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Adriana’s Insurance and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, September 17 at AT&T Stadium, doors open at 2:30 p.m. CT. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100, $85, $50 and $40, not including applicable service charges with a total ticket limit of 8 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, walk up purchases are available at the AT&T Stadium Box Office (Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. CT to 5:00 p.m. CT).
