Canelo vs Lopez: September 15 Bout Official, Fighters Excited

The September 15 fight between Canelo Alvarez and Josesito Lopez was made official today, as Showtime and Golden Boy Promotions formally announced the fight and the fighters and promoters weighed in. The card will also feature a more intriguing bout in the co-feature, with Jhonny Gonzalez defending the WBC featherweight title against Daniel Ponce De Leon.

The fight will receive a major promotional push from Showtime, as they'll be producing an "All Access" feature for the fight, and CBS will help promote the bout, too.

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Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions

"We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on June 23.

"It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for Mexican and Mexican-American fans having their most celebrated fighter, Canelo, fighting that night along with Jhonny Gonzalez and Daniel Ponce De Leon, who are going to deliver their own electrifying championship battle."

Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy Promotions

"It is a great pleasure for Golden Boy Promotions to be working with MGM Resorts International and SHOWTIME Sports on this exciting night of boxing.

"To be able to showcase top-caliber boxing talent in Canelo, Josesito Lopez, Jhonny Gonzalez and Ponce De Leon on the same show packs a lot of power and pride into a tremendous evening for attendees and viewers watching at home.

"It's also a special gift for Mexican and Mexican American fans who have supported the sport for so long to have Canelo appear once again on Mexican Independence Day weekend. If there is anyone who deserves a shot at Canelo, it's Josesito because he showed that heart and will can determine the outcome of any fight. I've never seen a fighter show that."

"Showtime has fully committed to promoting this tremendous night of boxing as if it were a pay-per-view, but instead is offering this quadruple-header to all boxing fans across the country. We are very pleased that CBS will also be committed to promoting this event on various platforms."

Stephen Espinoza, Executive VP and GM of Showtime Sports

"We are excited to be able to offer Showtime subscribers a chance to see boxing's newest star, Canelo Alvarez, in what promises to be a dramatic fight.

"Canelo's talent and charisma has re-energized boxing and drawn legions of casual fans to the sport. Josesito Lopez may not be as well-known as Canelo, but he has already shown that it would be a mistake for any opponent to overlook Josesito Lopez. Many counted him out in his last fight against Victor Ortiz, but he stunned the Showtime audience and boxing fans worldwide with his gutsy performance and earned his shot at Canelo. This match-up, and this entire card as a whole, promises to be non-stop action and we are proud to deliver explosive fights to our viewers."

Richard Sturm, MGM Resorts International

"We look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day weekend with one of the most exciting events of the summer. There is no doubt that Golden Boy Promotions will deliver a fight that has a major impact on boxing fans worldwide."

Canelo Alvarez

"I am happy to be fighting Josesito Lopez on Mexican Independence Day weekend and to give all of our fans a tremendous battle.

"I was ringside for his fight against Victor Ortiz and saw the talent he possesses. It will be very competitive, but nothing can take away my desire to be the best in the sport. I am also excited to be fighting for the Mexican people and Mexican American fans on Mexican Independence Day weekend. I look forward to showing so many people who will be watching me across the United States that I love being a champion. I want them to think of me as one of the greatest fighters ever."

Josesito Lopez

"I am so happy to have the chance to continue my career fighting another great champion in Canelo Alvarez especially on such a big weekend like Mexican Independence Day.

"I know they put me in the ring with Victor Ortiz to have me beat and now they are doing the same thing with Canelo. I was a big underdog with Ortiz and now I'm a bigger underdog with Canelo, but I'm up for the challenge."

Jhonny Gonzalez

"This is a fight I have been wanting for a long time and now to have the opportunity to do it for my Mexican people is so great. That is a big weekend for everyone and I am going to show the world why I am still the best in the division."

Daniel Ponce De Leon

"Gonzalez is a very good fighter, but I have the experience and ability to beat him and take his title from him. The Mexican fans will all be watching and there is going to be tremendous pressure on all of us to win our bouts and look great doing it. I will become the new champion that night and my career will move up to a new level."