Philippines, 06 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


CANELO ALVAREZ VS. JAMES KIRKLAND SET FOR MAY 9 FROM MINUTE MAID PARK IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

PhilBoxing.com





TELEVISED LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing?
Tickets on Sale Tuesday, March 3!

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 25) - The wait is over. Two of boxing's toughest warriors, Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez and the Texas titan James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland will clash in a 12-round super welterweight showdown at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 9, 2015. Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Canelo Promotions, SMS Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions will bring fans an explosive night of boxing when these two exciting warriors finally meet in this much anticipated match-up which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

"I'm very happy that my upcoming fight with James Kirkland will air on HBO; it will be exciting, explosive and should not be missed," said Canelo Alvarez. "Kirkland is a dangerous fighter who is coming prepared for a tough night and this fight, without a doubt, will be one to remember. I promise my fans I will be victorious and invite everyone to come out and join us at Minute Maid Park on May 9. They will not be disappointed."

"This is the fight I've been waiting for," said James Kirkland. "Canelo is the opponent I get asked about more than any other fighter. I'm ready to show my skills to the world and shut down the people who doubt me. Come fight night you will see a great fight between two warriors and I know at the end of the night my hand will be raised in victory."

"We are committed to putting on the best fights and a fight between Canelo, who is one of the best fighters in the sport and Kirkland, who is one of the most feared, will be an explosive night in the ring on May 9," said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. "Canelo is ready to take on Kirkland and he is prepared to give fans an entertaining fight. Fans from all over the country will come to Houston's Minute Maid Park to see a tough, exciting and epic brawl."

"I'm excited about this match up. James Kirkland and Canelo Alvarez represent two of the best fighters in the sport," said Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Chairman and CEO of SMS Promotions. "They both have impressive knock out records and similar fighting styles. Their determination and intense preparation will make for a top fight. Whether you're with us in person or tuned in on HBO, I know this will be a fight not to be missed."

"Because of the quality of fighter he is and quality of fight he is in, Canelo Alvarez's 2015 debut may be more heavily anticipated than any others," said Peter Nelson, HBO Sports vice president of programming. "That's because when Canelo decided to face the incarnate wrecking-ball that is James Kirkland, fans recognize both that Alvarez is choosing a hard road and that Kirkland has been paving that road his whole career in hope of one day reaching a landmark opportunity like this one. Alvarez-Kirkland is a signature World Championship Boxing event."

"We are very excited to host the first boxing match ever held at Minute Maid Park," said Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan. "Houston has seen some of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier-and we look forward to having our ballpark and our fans be a part of that legacy."

Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland, is a 12-round super welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions, SMS Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $350, $150, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable fees and service charges, will go on sale Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. CT and available for purchase at the Minute Maid Park Box Office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) all Ticketmasker outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling (210) 979-3302 or emailing m@leijabattahpromo.com. There is a 19 ticket limit per household.

At the age of 24, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico's Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) has conquered the boxing world, captivating fans both at home and around the globe with his action-packed fighting style, charisma and willingness to take on the toughest challenges. The former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion, has fought and beat the best including Carlos "Tata" Baldomir, Kermit "The Killer" Cintron, Sugar Shane Mosley, Austin "No Doub" Trout, Alfredo "Perro" Angulo and Erislandy "The American Dream" Lara. His only loss was his 2013 record-setting 'highest grossing bout of all time' fight with Floyd Mayweather. On May 9, Alvarez will put it all on the line once more against perhaps the hardest puncher in boxing, James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland.

A Texas titan, representing the city of Austin, 30-year-old southpaw James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) has built his reputation with explosive power. His fists have accounted for 28 knockout victories over the course of his nearly 14-year professional career. A former NABO and WBC Continental Americas Champion, Kirkland bounced back from his lone defeat against Nobuhiro Ishida in 2011 with five consecutive wins, four coming by way of knockout. Kirkland has defeated Brian Vera, Alfredo "Perro" Angulo and Carlos "King" Molina and most recently handed Glen "Jersey Boy" Tapia his first professional loss by way of a punishing sixth-round technical knockout, setting the stage for a war with Canelo on May 9.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mx, www.smsboxing.com, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.astros.com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @SMS_Boxing, @HBOBoxing, @Canelo, @KOKirkland, @Astros @LeijaBattahPR become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/SMSBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing or www.facebook.com/astros and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @smsboxing and @HBOboxing, @Canelopower, @Kirklandsworld. Follow the conversation using #CaneloKirkland.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.