Premier Boxing Champions 2015: Fight Card and TV Schedule for October 14
Premier Boxing Champions and ESPN deliver an interesting doubleheader Wednesday night from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Former three-time and two-division world champion Devon Alexander "The Great" (26-3, 14 KO) will take on rugged Mexican contender Aron Martinez (19-4-1, 4 KOs) in the main event.
In the co-feature, IBF featherweight champion Lee "The Barry Boy Assassin" Selby (21-1, 8 KO) will make his first title defense and United States debut against former five-time and three-division champion Fernando Montiel (54- 4-2 39 KO).
When: Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9 p.m. ET
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Where: Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Bounce-back
The man from the Show Me State is in need of an impressive performance. Alexander has lost two of his last three fights, and the last defeat was not even close. While the 28-year-old did not hit the canvas against Amir Khan when the two met in December 2014, Alexander was outclassed in a way he'd never been before.
Khan's speed and length (71" reach) gave Alexander the flux and led to a lopsided unanimous decision. None of the three judges scoring the bout had Alexander closer than eight points on his scorecard.
On Wednesday, Alexander will be in the ring with an opponent who is more rugged than Khan but not nearly as fast. What Martinez lacks in speed and physical gifts, he attempts to make up with toughness.
He is coming off a robbery in his last fight in May. He outfought Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero—even dropping him in the fourth round—but the judges dealt him a split-decision loss in one of the worst decisions of the year. Showtime's Brian Custer agreed:
Even in defeat, Martinez was a winner. Because he fought so valiantly in an underdog role, he's been awarded another prime spot on a PBC card against a well-known fighter.
Coming to America
Fresh off his technical-decision win over Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF title in May, Selby will face another significant test in Montiel. ESPN has this fight as the co-feature in its broadcast structure and billing, but according to BoxRec.com, it's seen as the main attraction for Wednesday night's card.
The Selby-Montiel matchup has the elements of an entertaining bout. At 28, Selby is one of the best young fighters from the United Kingdom. He's already proved himself to a degree with impressive wins over Gradovich and Rendall Munroe.
He's now coming to America to face a former champion in Montiel who has been in the ring with just about every major contender and champion in his weight range over his 19-year career. The 36-year-old Mexican has faced Jhonny Gonzalez, Nonito Donaire, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Victor Terrazas, Rafael Concepcion, Pedro Alcazar, Isidro Garcia and others.
Montiel began his career as a flyweight, but now he'll challenge Selby for his share of the featherweight crown. Montiel has won eight straight fights to earn this opportunity.
Selby is aware of the accomplishments and skill level of his opponent. He's also conscious of the opportunity he has since signing with PBC's Al Haymon.
Per Gareth A. Davies of the Telegraph, Selby said this on Saturday:
"It's massive for me. A massive opportunity for me to showcase my talent in America. I want to be a worldwide star, and this is my chance. It's a life-changing opportunity. If I keep winning, the potential is unlimited. I could be made for life. It's only a short career and I need to make what I can when I can and leave with my faculties intact. Being on free TV means almost every household in America is going to see it. I'm up against a good fighter, a former three-time world champion in Montiel. He's a big puncher. He's knocked out twice the amount of opponents as I've had fights. I'm up against it. It's a tough one and he's well known in America. A win over him will show them I'm a force in the featherweight division.
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Montiel wants another world title, and Selby is looking to establish a footprint with the American boxing community. With each man having a firm objective, this one could be an excellent fight.
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