INGLEWOOD, CALIF. – Boxing is back at the Forum (3900 West Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, Calif. 90305) and the historic inaugural brawl will feature four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL “Dinamita” MÁRQUEZ battling former junior welterweight world champion and the pride of Colorado “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO.

Márquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, a longtime Forum stalwart who never lost a fight at the legendary boxing venue, and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, CO., will collide in a 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout on Saturday, May 17.  The Márquez-Alvarado welterweight rumble will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.  The winner will challenge the victor of the upcoming WBO welterweight championship rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, Jr.  Márquez and Alvarado boast a combined record of 89-9-1 (63 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 90% and a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

"When Top Rank called and offered a fight with Márquez I started jumping around -- I was so excited because I have the opportunity to get into the ring and retire a Mexican legend,” said Alvarado. "I am great under pressure and I am going to fight like the 'Old Mike' and use my power and my will to beat Márquez.  I made a mistake of looking past Ruslan Provodnikov. He jumped on me and got me in a bad situation.  He had such an awkward style.  The difference against Márquez will be my power.  I am going to train super hard for my biggest fight. I am very excited.  I am anxious too, to fight the winner of Pacquiao and Bradley.  Bradley interests me a lot.  Pacquiao has made his mark in boxing. Bradley is undefeated.  This fight is my redemption to all of my fans.  I know how important this fight is. What a fight with such a reward - to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs Bradley. This is an incredible opportunity. I will be fully prepared to fight Márquez on May 17."

Promoted by Top Rank® in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing and Tecate, tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado will go on sale Tuesday, April 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET / Noon PT.  Priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, tickets can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com .  And to celebrate boxing’s return to the Forum, any $150 or $75 ticket, purchased at the box office or via Ticketmaster on April 1, between Noon and 4:00 p.m. PT,  will include a complimentary companion ticket to the inaugural brawl.  Limit six (6) tickets per order.