Cancio-Machado II Moves To June 21 To Accommodate GGG

By Jake Donovan

The 130-pound title fight rematch between Andrew Cancio and Alberto Machado is on the move—sort of.

Plans for their sequel remain on course, save for a two-week delay as their DAZN headliner will now take place on June 21. The change from the originally planned June 8 date was made to accommodate the DAZN arrival of former middleweight titlist Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, whose platform debut will come in a 164-pound catchweight bout versus Canada's Steve Rolls at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“That’s the plan, rematch still happening, just a new date,” Bryan Perez, vice president of Miguel Cotto Promotions—Machado’s co-promoter along with Golden Boy Promotions—confirmed to BoxingScene.com on Wednesday.

The rematch will still take place at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif., where Cancio (20-4-2, 15KOs) rose from the canvas to stop a weight-drained Machado in four rounds this past February.

There were concerns over whether Machado (21-1, 17KOs) should remain at 130 pounds or move up to lightweight, with internal discussion suggesting the latter from his team members. The Puerto Rican boxer appreciated the feedback but still gave his handlers their marching orders to secure the rematch.

Cancio’s shocking win certainly rates as among the year’s biggest upsets and only adding to his feel-good story. The 30-year old from Blythe, Calif. took on a full-time job as a construction technician for Southern California Gas Company after stepping away from the game in 2016 following a knockout loss to Joseph Diaz Jr.

Three wins have followed since his ring return last April, none bigger than his massive upset over Machado (21-1, 17KOs) earlier this year. Canclo had to climb off the deck to do so, managing to recuperate quick enough to overwhelm the previously unbeaten titlist in their February bout on DAZN.

The passing of the torch was eerily similar to the manner in which Machado won the title 16 months prior. His violent ascension to the top came in an 8th round knockout over Jezreel Corrales whom had already conceded the title at the scales after missing weight.

Two successful title defenses came of his reign, including a 1st round knockout of Yuandale Evans last October in New York City. There has always remained concern about the 5’10” southpaw continuing to squeeze into a 130-pound frame, but more important to Machado is proving he not only belongs at the weight but atop the division.

“After the fight, there was talk of Alberto moving up to 135, with the concern of how he had such a difficult time making weight,” Perez admits. “But as far as he’s concerned, the rematch (with Cancio) was not just his first option, but the only fight he wanted next.”

Also included on the show is Machado’s fellow Boricua stablemate, reigning 108-pound titlist Angel Acosta (20-1, 20KOs). The diminutive knockout artist will make the fourth defense of his title versus an opponent to be determined.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox