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The undercard for Canelo-Khan has been officially announced and there should be some good actions fights on deck. In addition to the main even between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan, there will also be a middleweight fight between David Lemieux and Glen Tapia; a welterweight bout between Mauricio Herrera and Frankie Gomez; and another middleweight bout between Patrick Teixeira and Curtis Stevens to open the telecast.
David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) is coming off a TKO loss to Gennady Golovkin last October, while Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) is coming off a TKO loss to Michel Soro last May. They will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout.
"I am back," said David Lemieux. "I am coming back strong and ready to be on top of the middleweight division where I belong."
"This is a make or break moment," said Glen Tapia. "I can't wait to show everyone what I am made of. People will see a new and improved Glen Tapia and this is the best place to show it; as part of a stellar undercard. I know David will be a tough opponent, but I am ready for this challenge to take on the best in the division and show the world a fully realized Glen Tapia."
Mauricio Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) will be moving up to welterweight to face blue chip prospect Frankie Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs) in a 10-rounder. If both fighters come in at their best, this fight should be hotly contested. Herrera is most recently coming off a technical decision win over Hank Lundy last July, while Gomez beat Silverio Ortiz by unanimous decision last month.
"May 7 is the day I have to slaughter another young lion to prove myself again," said Mauricio Herrera. "Frankie Gomez is a strong fighter that will bring the absolute best out of me. I will be in tip top shape for the mega-event."
"This is the kind of fight I have been training for my entire career," said Frankie Gomez. "Herrera is a recognized and ranked fighter, he has a lot of experience and it's my chance to prove myself and show everyone who has doubted me, what I can do in the ring. I feel very excited to be part of a great undercard, fans can expect an exciting night, don't miss it."
Finally, Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) will be taking on Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) in another middleweight bout. Teixeira is currently coming off a TKO win over Don Mouton last October, while Stevens hasn't fought since dropping a decision to Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam in October 2014. Stevens' promoter, Kathy Duva, says that Stevens is aware that he has to deliver on this card, and is confident that he will.
"I am excited to be part of one of the biggest boxing events of the year," said Patrick Teixeira. "I promise to go out to the ring fully prepared for the best Curtis Stevens and show that I am a fighter to be feared in the middleweight division. I want to thank my team and Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity, and on May 7 fans can expected to see an exciting fight opening the televised event."
"This guy is a zero and has got to go," said Curtis Stevens. "I'm ready to start climbing up in the rankings again and am happy to be on this great HBO card with my man Canelo Alvarez."
As for the main event itself, Canelo appears to be in good shape and better spirits as evidenced by this new video uploaded by promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
47 days until #CaneloKhan May 7th! @Canelo @tecate @oscardelahoyahttps://t.co/252suXAQHX
— GoldenBoyPromotions (@GoldenBoyBoxing) March 21, 2016
Khan also has a reason to be in good spirits, as according to Khan, the WBC has guaranteed him his #1 contender position at welterweight regardless of the outcome of this fight -- something I wasn't so sure would happen. So, good news all around!