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Canelo vs Crawford - The Underdog series aiming to discover new superstars gets major debut on fight week
Although the eyes of the boxing world will be on Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford next week , a number of boxers will be trying to steal some of the spotlight two nights before the main event.
The Ring’s The Underdog series gets underway on September 11, and it will showcase some of the brightest emerging talents in the sport who could one day be occupying the stage that Canelo and Crawford currently find themselves on.
The debut teaser event will take place inside BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and this special card will give fans a first look at what’s to come before the monthly series officially launches in January 2026, and it will be shown live on DAZN .
Headlining September’s opening event is an electrifying clash as WBO flyweight world champion Anthony Olascuaga (9-1, 6 KOs) defends his title against dangerous number one contender Juan Carlos Camacho (18-1, 8 KOs).
The undercard will showcase rising prospects matched in competitive bouts designed to deliver action from start to finish including a lightweight bout between Justin Viloria (9-0, 7 KOs) and Joshafat Ortiz (13-1, 6 KOs), a junior middleweight clash involving Jalil Hackett (9-1, 7 KOs) and Elijah Vines (8-0, 7 KOs), Emiliano Alvarado (8-0, 5 KOs) and Juan Garcia (7-0, 2 KOs) in a super bantamweight bout, while Jamar Talley (3-0, 3 KOs) takes on Isaiah Thompson (11-4-2, 10 KOs) in a cruiserweight battle.
“The Underdog is all about giving fans the fights they want: competitive, unpredictable matchups that highlight the next generation of stars,” said Rick Reeno, CEO of The Ring.
“September’s teaser event is a preview of what’s to come and, starting in January next year, fans can expect must-watch action every month.”
Analysis - unearthing the stars of tomorrow
DAZN Boxing senior reporter Chris Walker
Although pay-per-view weeks have always centred on the main event, some careers have been born and enhanced from appearing on undercards or showing up on fight week.
Canelo himself has benefitted from such exposure and Anthony Joshua also built his profile in the United Kingdom by destroying opponents on shows headlined by the likes of Carl Froch and Tony Bellew.
These young fighters at the start of their careers have a huge opportunity on what is set to be the biggest fight event of 2025.
Elijah Vines is making decent noise in Philadelphia as a major puncher with huge prospects. Can he take a few steps forward by getting past the highly touted Jalil Hackett when Vegas is going to be congested with fights fans and media? He now has the platform to do so.
The Inaugural event boasting ‘The Underdog’ title is set to receive mainstream exposure, and this is the perfect time for the sport of boxing to unveil the next generation when it is guaranteed that many pairs of eyes will be on the sport.
Without Canelo vs Crawford, this show would still have potential to deliver high-profile performances from fighters who would still go on to have successful careers, but the rub of the main attraction combatants means some extra spice has been applied to this big fight appetiser.
‘The Underdog’ looks like it is here to stay and serving as a warm-up to Canelo vs Crawford, it has the chance to be the show that boxing has been crying out for since HBO’s Boxing after Dark.
Back then, that show served up numerous classics whilst also creating stars that could one day fill PPV shows. ‘The Underdog’ is starting in a big way by setting up Canelo vs Crawford. Can it one day find the fighters to replace them?
Watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II on DAZN
Watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II, plus the whole undercard from Belfast's Windsor Park, with a DAZN subscription this September.
