Ronny Alvarez was motivated by the recent recognition he received on BoxingScene.
The Cuban standout was named as one of the 10 Cuban pro boxers to watch in 2026 on this very site, landing at fifth in the category. He has a chance to add to that standing with his first fight of the new year. Alvarez, 5-0 (4 KOs), will face Braulio Matias Ferreira this Saturday at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas in a six-round super middleweight bout.
Unlike many Cuban fighters, Alvarez opted to turn professional early in his boxing journey rather than have an extensive amateur background. In fact, his June 2024 debut came just shy of his 20th birthday.
Now 21 and fighting out of Providence, Rhode Island, Alvarez reflected on being named to the list earlier this week.
“To be recognized by BoxingScene and placed in the top five means people are paying attention to the work I’m doing,” Alvarez told BoxingScene via a translator. “At the same time, I don’t let it change my mindset. Recognition is motivation, not satisfaction. I’m grateful. I’m humble, but I’m hungry for more, and I plan to prove that I deserve that spot and even bigger opportunities moving forward.”
Alvarez entered after a fifth-round technical knockout over Bruno Pola Ruiz in October. It came on the heels of his first bout - and only, to date - to go the distance.
Now, Alvarez will be on his fellow Cuban compatriot’s undercard. Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, who captured top honors in the delayed Tokyo Games, will vie for his first major title against the IBF lightweight beltholder Raymond Muratalla.
It is the biggest stage Alvarez has fought on yet in his young career.
“This stage is about patience, discipline, and purpose,” Alvarez said. “I’ve already put in years of work that people didn’t see - long training camps, sacrifices away from family, and sharpening my craft every single day.”
Alvarez views this moment as capitalizing on years of monotonous, busy work in the gym.
“Now I’m at the point where everything is coming together,” Alvarez said. “I’m no longer just developing. I’m building momentum.”
Ferreira, 7-2 (2 KOs), will be fighting in the United States for only the second time in his career. Ferreira, the 34-year-old from Colonia, Uruguay, lost a unanimous decision to Tyrone James in November. That bout took place around the middleweight limit. Alvarez, like many great fighters see his future optimistically, but with good reason. Early in his career, he caught many onlookers' eyes and had some keen observers wonder if he would move quickly from being a prospect to a contender in the course of a year. Alvarez believes this year will be pivotal in his development.
“I believe 2026 is the year people really get to know who Ronny Alvarez is,” he said. “I’m undefeated for a reason. I don’t just rely on talent. I rely on preparation, IQ, and heart.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
