Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Undercard: Latest News, Speculation on Potential Fights
With Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather finally agreeing to fight after more than a half-decade of tense negotiations, it's easy to forget a whole card has to be built around them. It appears the promoters are trying to build a solid all-around card with more marquee names than just the main event.
Continue for updates.
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Brad Solomon vs. Adrian Granados Added to Card
Wednesday, April 22
Carl Moretti, the vice president of boxing operations for Top Rank, announced that welterweight Brad Solomon will take on Adrian Granados in an eight-round bout on the non-televised portion of the Mayweather-Pacquiao card, per ESPN's Dan Rafael.
Andrew Tabiti vs. Anthony Caputo Smith Added to Card
Monday, April 13
Rafael reported that an eight-round cruiserweight bout between Andrew Tabiti and Anthony Caputo Smith has been added to the non-televised portion of the undercard.
Leo Santa Cruz Added to Card
Friday, April 8
Mayweather Promotions announced Friday that Leo Santa Cruz will appear on the undercard of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight:
"As Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight night approaches, Mayweather Promotions announced today that undefeated Mexican superstar and current WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs) will be featured on the three-fight pay-per-view televised undercard against an opponent to be determined.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao takes place Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be co-produced and co-distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
“I’m extremely excited to put one of the most popular and exciting Mexican fighters in the world on the pay-per-view undercard of this historic event on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said Mayweather, president of Mayweather Promotions. “I’m all about giving my loyal fans what they want. All the fans watching on fight night will be in for a great show when Leo Santa Cruz enters the ring.”
“I’m so honored to be the lead-in for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do so on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said Santa Cruz. “This will be a huge night for boxing and I plan on showing everybody that I’m all about action-packed fights. I’m grateful to Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions for giving me this opportunity and giving the Mexican fight fans another reason to cheer on May 2.
"
Pearson vs. El Harrak Announced
Tuesday, March 24
Rafael reported on Chris Pearson, who will fight Said El Harrak as part of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao undercard:
""When I got the call, I ain't gonna say I expected it, but I know I've been putting in the hard work and I know I am ready to go the next level. I'm glad we're on the same page," Pearson told ESPN.com on Monday of Mayweather Promotions' decision to put him on the undercard of boxing's biggest fight in decades. "I'm ready to get in the ring and do what I do best."
Pearson (11-0, 9 KOs) will face 27-year-old London-born Said El Harrak (12-2-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout and is excited to be on the show even though the bout will not be part of the pay-per-view broadcast.
"It's a blessing," Pearson said. "I had the opportunity to fight on Floyd's card when he fought Canelo [Alvarez in September 2013], and that was big but it was only an eight-rounder. Now to be fighting in a 10-rounder on a card like this, that's big. The media, the atmosphere, all the fans, it's as big as any fight I've had. I've been working hard and I'm excited to come out and look good and move forward in my career."
"
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Gamalier Rodriguez Announced
Thursday, March 12
RingTV.com confirmed with Vasyl Lomachenko's manager, Egis Klimas, that the Ukrainian will be facing Gamalier Rodriguez in a bout that will be televised on the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao card.
"This is like an actor winning an Academy Award," said Klimas about the announcement.
Jesse Hart Added to Card vs. Undisclosed Opponent
Thursday, March 12
According to Rafael, rising middleweight Jesse Hart has been added to the undercard for the May 2 bout.
"My eyes got big and I was like, 'For real?' I originally had a fight on April 10 and [Bob Arum] said it was canceled. 'You're fighting on May 2,'" Hart told Rafael. "I only knew of one other card on May 2. He said, 'Yup, you're on the card, your first 10-round fight.'"
Hart, 25, was long on the list of the best pound-for-pound amateur boxers in the United States before turning pro. He boasts a record of 16-0, knocking out his opponent in 13 of those bouts. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum indicated Hart will be fighting for the regional USBA championship, though his opponent has not yet been disclosed at this time.
"He's one of my favorites," Arum said. "I really, really like the kid. I pulled seniority. It's my company and I made the call. No secret agenda other than I really like the kid and I think he has a bright future."
Hart has not fought since defeating Samuel Miller via TKO in the second round of their matchup in December.
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