When the Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell WBC interim lightweight title fight was announced earlier in October, no other fights had been reported.
That changed on Friday when Golden Boy Promotions revealed the Garcia-Campbell undercard featuring WBA (regular) junior lightweight champion Rene Alvarado meeting Roger Gutierrez in a rematch along with the returns of unified women's super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and exciting prospect Blair Cobbs in bouts against to-be-determined opponents at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.
Alvarado (32-8, 21 KOs) and Gutierrez (24-3-1, 20 KOs) first met in July 2017, with the former notching a seventh-round knockout. In his last time out last November, Alvarado stopped Andrew Cancio in the seventh round to capture his first world title. The 31-year-old is excited to return after an 11-month layoff and ensures the sequel will end up like the first fight.
"I'm ready to defend my title on December 5," Alvarado said in a press release. "I'll be prepared to deliver a tremendous combat to all fans so they can enjoy a bit of distraction during these difficult times. And although the crisis we all currently face is something that will be different in this rematch, the end result will be the same. We will get the victory at any cost to retain the title."
Since losing to Alvarado, Guitierrez has reeled off five consecutive victories. The Venezuelan wants to make up for the setback in the first fight and win his first world title.
"I want to thank God above all else," Gutierrez said. "I also want to thank the World Boxing Association and Golden Boy Promotions. I will dedicate this fight to my mom, who is currently battling cancer. This victory will be for her. I am ready to avenge my first loss in this world title challenge. From Maracaibo [Venezuela] to the world — let's do it!"
Crews-Dezurn (6-1, one no-contest) last fought in January, losing to Alejandra Jiménez by unanimous decision. But Jiménez failed a drug test for a banned substance and was stripped of the WBC and WBO titles and were returned to Crews-Dezurn.
Cobbs (14-0-1, 9 KOs) competed in February, defeating Samuel Kotey Neequaye via split decision. The 30-year-old is known for his flashy pro wrestling entrances, mimicking legends Ric Flair and Triple H.