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The boxing calendar for the 2025 Cinco de Mayo weekend is shaping up to be thrilling, with numerous high-profile bouts scheduled across three days. Fight fans can look forward to an exhilarating lineup of matches from Friday to Sunday.
Friday, May 2: Garcia vs. Romero Fight Card
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero – Welterweight
Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez – Welterweight
Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. – For Lopez’s WBO super lightweight title
Saturday, May 3: Alvarez vs. Scull Fight Card
Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: Super middleweight, for the undisputed title
Bruno Surace vs. Jaime Munguia: Super middleweight
Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba: Heavyweight
Badou Jack vs. Ryan Rozicki: Cruiserweight, for the WBC title
Marco Verde vs. Michel Polina: Middleweight
Brayan Leon vs. Aaron Guerrero: Middleweight
Sunday, May 4: Inoue vs. Cardenas Fight Card
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight championship
Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez for Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title
Rohan Polanco vs. Fabian Maidana at welterweight
Emiliano Vargas vs. TBA at junior welterweight
Mikito Nakano vs. Pedro Marquez at featherweight
Art Barrera Jr. vs. Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. at junior middleweight
Raeese Aleem vs. TBA at featherweight
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero
The upcoming May 2 bout represents Ryan Garcia’s (24-1-0-1, 20 KOs) return to the ring after a significant period. He previously faced Devin Haney and initially secured a majority decision victory in April 2024. However, this was later classified as a no contest once Garcia failed a drug test, which led to a one-year suspension and a significant fine. The confrontation was crucial as it had implications on Garcia’s career trajectory, especially given that he tipped the scales over the limit for the title.
On the other hand, Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) has experienced a turbulent recent history in the ring, alternating between wins and losses in his last five fights. Despite these ups and downs, he demonstrated resilience with a unanimous decision win against Manuel Jaimes in September 2024.
Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull
Recent speculation surrounding Canelo Alvarez’s (62-2-2, 39 KOs) next opponent was rife, particularly regarding a potential face-off with Terence Crawford. However, discussions have pivoted towards Alvarez defending his super middleweight title against William Scull on May 3. Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) won the vacant IBF title last October and now faces Alvarez for the undisputed championship, adding to the anticipation.
Alvarez, coming off a solid defense of his titles against Edgar Berlanga, seeks to regain lost status after being stripped of the IBF belt due to a missed mandatory defense earlier in the year.
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas
Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs), a dominant force in boxing, has consistently chosen bouts where a title is at stake. He achieved significant milestones in his career, recently moving to junior featherweight and claiming the WBC and WBO belts in his inaugural fight within this division. With an unblemished record in title fights, Inoue’s upcoming match against Ramon Cardenas offers Cardenas a significant opportunity to step into the limelight on May 3.
Cardenas, currently ranked No. 9 in the junior featherweight division, enters this match with a strong winning streak and aims to upset the reigning champion while aiming for his first world title shot.
Event Details
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero Fight Card:
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Location: Times Square in New York City
How to Watch: DAZN PPV
Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull Fight Card:
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
How to Watch: DAZN PPV
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas Fight Card:
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Time: 6:15 p.m. ET
Location: ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
How to Watch: ESPN+
As the dates approach, more updates will follow on the exciting lineup set for the 2025 Cinco de Mayo boxing weekend.
Source
www.forbes.com