Avila Perspective, Chap. 153: The Alvarez-Plant Rumpus, Adelaida and More

As rare as boxing press conferences occur at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, another odd chapter was added as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Caleb Plant traded blows on stage during introductions.

Must be some sort of negative electrical charges emanating on the plush hotel grounds.

It was at the same Beverly Hilton 20 years ago that Mike Tyson went ballistic during a press conference for Andrew Golota in 2000. It was also the place where Roy Jones Jr. kept the media waiting for more than three hours before appearing. Expect the unexpected at the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica.

When it was announced that Canelo and Plant were kicking off their upcoming fight at the Beverly Hilton, I thought to myself: what kind of shenanigans could possibly happen?

Nah. It’s just a weird vibe. But something did.

Alvarez usually refrains from any pseudo masquerades of bravado and machismo. He saves that for the actual fight when he destructs his foes blow by blow.

Plant, on the other hand, has a habit of trading the usual urban insults with whoever he’s signed to face in the prize ring. This is his cup of tea. He did the same with Jose Uzcategui, Mike Lee and Caleb Truax.

Since the age of 14, Canelo has amassed 59 pro bouts. I’m sure he’s heard all of the jive and taunts anyone could ever think of saying. Yet, somehow, whatever Plant said triggered a shove from Alvarez and the two exploded with a flurry of punches or blows before each camp’s supporters jumped in between them to stop the two world champions.

Even Ryan Garcia and his brother Sean Garcia bolted toward the stage to assist their mentor Alvarez.

When asked why he shoved Plant, the Mexican redhead calmly replied that the tall super middleweight from Nashville, Tenn. mentioned his mother.

Then, “I do what I do,” said Alvarez.

Plant was somewhat surprised by the Alvarez reaction and able to talk to the media despite suffering a small cut over his eye caused by a blow that ripped his sunglasses off his face. It also took some skin off of the face and drew blood. But he was calm.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Plant sitting with a small cadre of reporters. “I’m not more motivated than I already was.”

Alvarez said this fight has added a personal dimension to it. That’s never happened before said the four-division world champion.

“He can say whatever he wants to me. But he said m-f-r and he crossed the line,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez and Plant meet on Nov. 6 at the MGM Grand for the undisputed super middleweight world championship. They are both going to do what they do.

MarvNation at So Cal

Women shall lead them to the front.

Two of the top women fighters in the Los Angeles area will be leading a boxing card on Saturday Sept. 25, at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, Calif. It will be shown live on the MarvNation site on Youtube.com and also on Supreme Boxing’s YouTube.com site. Doors open at 5p.m.

Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz (9-0-1) and her swinging style will be facing Mexico’s Nancy Franco for the WBC Silver super flyweight title in the main event set for 10 rounds.

Also, Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo (13-5) faces Miranda Barber (2-2) in a six-round middleweight fight.

Both Cornejo and Ruiz are top contenders in their respective weight classes and are both in competitive fights when they enter the ring on Saturday.

The boxing lineup also features many young prospects from Brooklyn to Mexico ready to test their skills.

Big Man vs Little Man

Multi-belt heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) defends against former undisputed cruiserweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) on Saturday, Sept. 25. It will be streamed live by DAZN.

Usually when a cruiserweight ventures to the division of the big men it doesn’t turn out very well. But Usyk has a little more to offer than a big punch. Aside from being a southpaw, the Ukrainian has the ability to adapt and create while on the move.

Joshua can also create. He was forced to change when Andy Ruiz took away the title via knockout two years ago and avenged the defeat by going on his toes. Will he again be forced to adapt despite a three-inch height advantage?

Fights to Watch

Thurs. FITE.TV 7 p.m. Donte Stubbs (6-2) vs Kevin Ottey (6-2-1); Lorraine Villalobos (4-3) vs Alexis Martinez (0-2).

Fri. Showtime 7 p.m. Jarico O’Quinn (14-0-1) vs Saul Sanchez (16-1).

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Anthony Joshua (24-1) vs Oleksandr Usyk (18-0); Lawrence Okolie (16-0) vs Dilan Prasovic (15-0); Callum Smith 27-1) vs Lenin Castillo (21-3-1).

Sat. MarvNation/YouTube.com 5 p.m. Adelaida Ruiz (9-0-1) vs Nancy Franco (19-14-2); Maricela Cornejo (13-5) vs Miranda Barber (2-2), Tenochtitlan Nava (8-2) vs Ivan Varela (5-3).

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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