The Avila Perspective: Canelo, Jacobs, Danny Roman and more in LA

LOS ANGELES-For one day L.A. was target zero as a number of world champs gathered led by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the publicly acknowledged star of the boxing world.

Not my words, but his challenger.

Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs met the public at Microsoft Theater at LA Live under the Golden Boy Promotions banner and Matchroom Boxing on Monday evening. Earlier in the day Matchroom Boxing along with Thompson Boxing Promotions hosted a media day 10 miles west.

The one common thread was DAZN, the media vehicle for both boxing cards that take place on different dates.

First, an early morning gathering took place in the heart of Hollywood in an office building located where the Humphrey Bogart 1946 movie “The Big Sleep” was supposedly based. According to the original Raymond Chandler novel the character Bogart played, Philip Marlowe, had his private detective office on or near this location.

Well, on Monday morning, it served as an ornate setting for world champions Danny Roman, TJ Doheny, Jessie Vargas and several other boxing luminaries. It all took place at Beauty and Essex on Cahuenga Blvd.

Roman may be the least known world champion in the world, but what makes it even more ironic is that he fights in the boxing capitol of the world that is also the media capitol of the world.

This takes extraordinary doing.

One major reason for the lack of recognition: Roman won the world title in Japan and has not fought in Los Angeles since. That ends on April 26, at the Inglewood Forum when the WBA super bantamweight titlist meets Ireland’s TJ Doheny the owner of the IBF super bantamweight belt.

Since winning the WBA title in August 2017 in Tokyo, the LA native Roman has fought in Tokyo, followed by southern Texas, then Chicago. Finally, the hometown fans get their chance to see their hero in action.

Roman can feel the energy especially since people are calling him for tickets.

“Yeah, I already am getting calls from people,” said Roman chuckling. “It’s a good feeling.”

Facing Roman is the rough and tough Doheny who fights out of Australia but is originally from Ireland. For this fight he’s training in Boston. When he captured the world title it took place in Tokyo. And his first defense was in New York.

In a word, Both Roman and Doheny are globetrotters and willingly so.

“I wouldn’t mind going back to Japan to fight,” said Doheny. “The Japanese fans there really treated me well and love boxing with a passion.”

Both Doheny and Roman are excited about meeting each other for the world to see their talent.

“I plan on taking the Fight of the Night award,” said Roman.

Doheny echoed that statement.

“If you know his style and you know my style you know it’s going to be action packed,” said Doheny. “We want to please the fans.

Canelo and Jacobs

Later on Monday evening the middleweight champions met the Los Angeles press and the fans across the street from the Staples Center. While the Los Angeles Clippers were whipping the Los Angeles Lakers, the WBC and WBA titlist Alvarez and IBF titlist Jacobs patiently handled questions about their upcoming fight on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. DAZN will stream the middleweight showdown.

If you know Jacobs and his style, it’s plain to see he will pose a difficult problem for the always improving Mexican redhead. It is also plainly clear that Alvarez and Jacobs are not concerned with losing. It’s not a concern at all.

Oscar De La Hoya, the CEO for Golden Boy, explained the two fighters attitudes perfectly: “There comes a point in one’s career when you fight anyone regardless if they have a better record, or a beast, it just doesn’t matter anymore…just line them up.”

During his own career De La Hoya had the same attitude and fought the best. Recently Top Rank matchmaker extraordinaire Bruce Trampler emphasized that on social media by saying De La Hoya fought everybody and never said no to fighters like Felix Trinidad, Ike Quartey, Pernell Whitaker, Bernard Hopkins, Fernando Vargas, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

And when someone offered that you couldn’t beat De La Hoya in Las Vegas the now promoter answered:  “But I lost five times in Las Vegas,” said De La Hoya with a shrug.

Jacobs doesn’t dispute Canelo’s place at the head of the line in the world of boxing. Better yet, it’s the primary reason he wants to fight and beat the Mexican fighter with the sterling resume. But he feels there is some taint to the paint and he wants to be the one to put a clear blemish on Canelo.

“I understand Canelo is the super star,” said Jacobs during the round table interviews. “A victory, a decisive victory, will get me on that platform.”

Alvarez spoke to the media in low, almost inaudible tones. But though his words were soft spoken, his intent was emphatic.

“I want to win all the middleweight belts,” said Alvarez in almost a whisper.

About challenging someone as dangerous as Jacobs the Mexican champion was humble but definite in his response.

“I know Jacobs is a tough opponent and it’s going to be work, but I’ve always believed to be the best you must beat the best. I love challenges,” said Alvarez. “I want people to experience a good fight when they come watch my fights. I may lose, but my heart is a winning heart and I want to give the fans a spectacular finish and I’m going to put up a good fight.”

No one knows this better than De La Hoya.

“Anything can happen,” said De La Hoya. “But they’re not afraid to lose.”

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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