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Devon Alexander vs. Aron
Martinez Headlines
Oct. 14 PBC On ESPN In Glendale, Arizona
Former two-division world champion Devon Alexander "The
Great" (26-3, 14 KOs) returns to take on battle-tested
Mexican Aron Martinez (19-4-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round
welterweight clash as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN
heads to Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday,
October 14.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with the
U.S. debut of featherweight world champion Lee Selby (21-1,
8 KOs) as he takes on former three-division world champion
Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel (54-4-2, 39 KOs) in the co-main
event.
"I'm very excited to return to the ring and I'm anxious to
show people that I'm still an elite fighter," said
Alexander. "This is a huge opportunity to be on primetime
and I'm going to make sure everything is in order at camp so
I'm there 100 percent mentally and physically on fight
night."
"I'm very grateful for this opportunity to fight on such a
big stage against a great fighter in Devon Alexander," said
Martinez. "Arizona has a huge Mexican boxing community and I
look forward to the support from their terrific fans."
"I'm looking forward to my USA debut in Arizona on ESPN,"
said Selby. "It's been my dream since I was a young boy to
win the world title and then to box in a major fight in the
U.S. I have the upmost respect for Fernando Montiel, he's a
three-time world champion and we all know over here in the
UK how tough the Mexican fighters are. I know the U.S. fight
fans appreciate the top fighters and I am sure I can win
them over on 14th October with my skill, style and
technique."
"I am very happy to have an opportunity to win another world
title," said Montiel. "I am going to make the most of this
and leave everything I have in the ring. I will leave that
ring with Lee Selby's belt and with the fans cheering my
name."
"This is a big fight for Arizona and the first world title
fight in Arizona since 2004," said Scott Maling, Owner of
Ring Pros Promotions. "I was lucky enough to promote that
last world title fight and I can't wait to bring the boxing
fans of Arizona a terrific night of action from start to
finish, featuring some of the top talent in the sport."
Doors at Gila River Arena open at 3 p.m. PT with the first
bout following shortly after.
A world champion at 140 and 147-pounds, the 28-year-old
Alexander makes his 2015 debut looking for a performance
that will vault him back into title contention. Alexander
owns victories over Marcos Maidana, Lucas Matthysse, Randall
Bailey and Lee Purdy. The St. Louis-native is 4-2 in world
title fights with his most recent victory coming via a
dominant decision over Jesus Soto Karass.
The 33-year-old Martinez is coming off of a controversial
decision loss to Robert Guerrero, in a fight where Martinez
dropped Guerrero for the second time in his career and
appeared within seconds of being awarded a stoppage victory.
Born in Mexico, but fighting out of Los Angeles, Martinez
has fought professionally since 2004 and racked up 10
straight victories between 2009 and 2012.
Born in Barry, Wales, Selby picked up his world title with a
dominant technical decision over previously undefeated
Evgeny Gradovich in May. The 28-year-old owns a slew of
victories over previously unblemished fighters including
Joel Brunker, Ryan Walsh, Viorel Simon, Corey McConnell and
Stephen Smith. The slick-boxer will be making his first
start on U.S. soil on October 14.
The Mexican veteran Montiel has won world titles across
three weight classes throughout his long career that began
as a 17-year-old in 1996. He won his first world title in
2000 over Isidro Garcia and went on to have title winning
performances over Pedro Alzacar, Ivan Hernandez, Z Gorres,
Ciso Morales and Hozumi Hasegawa. Born in Sinaloa, Mexico,
Montiel is riding an eight-fight win streak heading into
this match and returns to fight in the U.S. for the first
time since 2011.
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