Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado went face-to-face today at the press conference to officially announce their May 17 fight on HBO World Championship Boxing. Check out the video courtesy Top Rank's Facebook page:
Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KO) and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KO) are meeting at a 143-pound catchweight, and the winner will earn the right to face the winner of the April 12 HBO pay-per-view rematch between Manny Pacquiao and WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley.
Marquez, of course, has fought Pacquiao four times, going 1-2-1, and knocking out his great rival in their last encounter in 2012. He also fought Bradley last year, losing a decision. After that, Marquez chased a rematch with Bradley, who instead opted to cash in against Pacquiao in a rematch of their own.
Alvarado had two wars with Brandon Rios, losing the first and winning the second, then was beaten down by Ruslan Provodnikov in what turned out to be Alvarado's final fight at 140 pounds.
Tickets go on sale April 1 for the fight, which will be held at The Forum in Inglewood, California.