Canelo-Chavez Jr: Golden Boy Prez on Drug Testing, Weight, More

By Steve Kim

It was made official a short while ago, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs) will face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (49-2-1, 32 KOs) on May 6th in a high-profile showdown of Mexican stars.

Contrary to the numerous statements that were made by Chavez Jr., Golden Boy President Eric Gomez advised BoxingScene.com that a catch-weight of 165-pounds was never in discussion. Gomez indicates that both sides were discussing a weight of 164, but ultimately Canelo have up another half pound to make it 164.5-pounds. Chavez had made an earlier claim that it was agreed upon for 165 and he was the one who gave up an additional half pound to Canelo.

"The fight is going to be at 164.5 (pounds) and we actually came up - contrary to what Chavez says that we came down - it was never at '65, it was always at '64 and 'Canelo made the concession and came up a half-pound," Gomez told BoxingScene.com.

As for the issues of drug testing for this bout, Gomez stated - "Yes, there will be Olympic-style random drug testing and we'll determine that shortly what agency it's going to be."

Gomez also stated that stiff penalty clauses are in the contract if either fighter is unable to make the catch-weight.

Alvarez-Chavez Jr will be a 12-round contest. There is also a rematch clause in place should Chavez Jr. win this bout.

Just where will this event - which will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View - take place? BoxingScene.com's Jake Donovan reported earlier that Golden Boy has placed a hold on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo headlined the first ever boxing event at the venue last May - and knocked out Amir Khan in six rounds.

"The venue's not done, yet, and that'll come in the next couple of weeks," said Gomez, who did confirm that Las Vegas and the likes of Jerry Jones and his AT&T Stadium in Texas will be contenders to land this fight.

It wasn't always easy, but the deal was made.

"I'm happy it's done and it's behind us,"said Gomez, laughing.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.