McWilliams Arroyo Defeats Abraham Rodriguez to Become WBC’s New Interim Flyweight Champion

McWilliams Arroyo is the WBC’s new interim flyweight champion…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican boxer dominated Mexico’s Abraham Rodriguez in less than five rounds to claim the title during Saturday’s Canelo AlvarezAvni Yildirim co-main event at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

McWilliams Arroyo

It became clear early on that Arroyo also had the realistic edge against Rodriguez, a late replacement who arrived in Miami on Friday.

By the fourth round, it showed.

Arroyo (21-4, 16 KOs) pummeled Rodriguez (27-3, 13 KOs) throughout the round, eventually forcing him to one knee and knocking him down. The onslaught continued in the fifth round, although Rodriguez held up well considering the lack of time to properly train. It led to Rodriguez’ corner waiving the white towel midway through the fifth round to stop the one-sided fight.

Arroyo was dominant throughout a fight that was supposed to be against Julio Cesar Martinez.

Martinez had to withdraw from the bout on Thursday with a small right hand fracture suffered during a sparring session. He had hoped to continue to train, but the injury got worse earlier this week.

Canelo Alvarez Reportedly Planning to Fight Mandatory Challenger Avni Yildirim in February

Canelo Alvarez isn’t waiting long to get back in the ring…

The 30-year-old Mexican boxer, the sport’s biggest star, will return to the ring on February 27 versus mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, according to sources.

Canelo Alvarez

The fight will be broadcast on DAZN and other PPV cable platforms everywhere except Mexico.

It will be a stay-busy title defense for Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs), who is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated champion Callum Smith on December 19 to win the WBA, WBC and the Ring magazine super middleweight titles.

 

The Athletic was the first to report the Alvarez fight date.

“Canelo is in the gym, and he has been working and training, waiting for the date,” Alvarez’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, said. “And to take advantage of the preparation we had for most of last year without fighting.”

After a deal with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, Alvarez is on track to fight again on May 8, the weekend following Cinco de Mayo, against WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders. That bout is not official yet, but it is expected, with IBF champion Caleb Plant as a secondary option.

Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) has plans to unify the super middleweight division, with Saunders and Plant as the two other belt holders in the division.

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) hasn’t fought since a February 2019 split technical decision loss to Anthony Dirrell. He has been Alvarez’s WBC mandatory challenger since before the Alvarez-Smith bout.

“Obviously it’s a very big fight for me. It makes me very proud to be on a stage like this, representing the Turkish people,” Yildirim told ESPN on Wednesday. “I know my opponent well. Of course, Canelo is one of the best in the world. But I know my value, and now the entire world will see who Avni Yildirim is.”

Alvarez and Reynoso wanted to fulfill their commitment to the WBC by fighting Yildirim before continuing their pursuit through the super middleweight champions.

“Yildirim is a strong fighter. He is a fighter who has earned his place in boxing to get to where he is as the No. 1 challenger in the world,” Reynoso said. “He had a fight against Anthony Dirrell, which seemed to me they took away from him, and gave it to Dirrell due to a cut. It was a world title fight, and [even with a loss], he became an official challenger. He is a guy who has worked honestly to be there, and he is dangerous, strong, has a good punch and very reliable.”

This will be Alvarez’s first bout in Miami, a place he has long enjoyed. Fans can be in attendance up to the COVID-19 pandemic capacity allowed at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes play their home football games.

Jennifer Lopez & Shakira Rock the Super Bowl with Their Epic & Latin Proud Halftime Show

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are celebrating an epic night at Hard Rock Stadiumin Miami.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar and the 43-year-old Colombian superstar teamed up for an electrifying Super Bowl halftime show.

Shakira & Jennifer Lopez

J.Loand Shakimade history at Super Bowl LIVon Sunday as the first two Latina women to co-headline the coveted halftime show gig, and they each brought their unique styles to a worldwide audience, performing a combined 20 songs in 14 minutes. (Gloria Estefanwas part of the 1992 and 1999 halftime shows, and sent her support for Lopez and Shakira, both of whom she has written songs for.)

Shakira kicked things off with her hit “She Wolf,” then seamlessly transitioned into her track “Empire,” where she showcased her ability to shred on the guitar.

After a brief dance interlude, Shakira — who rocked a sparkly red two-piece — broke into “Whenever, Wherever” and a cover of Cardi B’s “I Like It,” with an assist from Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer Bad Bunny, who appears on the original singer.

Shaki, who celebrated her 43rd birthday on Super Bowl Sunday, then showed off her dancing skills once again before singing “Hips Don’t Lie,” during which she crowd-surfed atop a group of enthusiastic fans.

Then, Lopez took over the program, taking the stage atop a skyscraper-like pole for a high-energy performance of “Jenny from the Block” and “Ain’t It Funny,” and then transitioned into “Get Right.”

After shedding her studded black leather bodysuit for a sparkly silver one, Lopez showed off her Hustlersmoves own on a stripper pole, while singing “Waiting for Tonight.”

J.Lo was then joined by J. Balvin, who assisted her on “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.”

Lopez continued to flaunt her moves to “Mi Gente” before moving on to a high-octane version of “On the Floor.”

The performance then transformed into a family affair as Lopez brought out her 11-year-old daughter Emme, who hit the stage singing a slowed-down rendition of “Let’s Get Loud” — with Shakira on drums — before her mom came back out wearing a large jacket made of feathers that featured the American flag on one side and the Puerto Rican flag on the other. It was a show of support to the territory, which has been affected by natural disasters in recent years, including Hurricane Maria and a recent damaging earthquake.

Emme briefly sang Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” while the set design featured glowing cages housing child performers, a marked gesture of solidarity toward the Latin community and those impacted by anti-immigration policies.

Then Shakira joined Lopez to sing “Let’s Get Loud” together.

The duo then moved on to Shakira’s hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” before switching back to “Let’s Get Loud,” at which point they closed out their set with impressive synchronized shimmiesas fireworks went off behind them, before wrapping their historic performance with a hug.

Demi Lovato Performs Rousing Rendition of National Anthem at the Super Bowl

It’s a star-spangled night for Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress helped kick off Super Bowl LIV on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with a soaring rendition of the National Anthem

Wearing an all-white pantsuit with a belt, Lovato delivered a note-perfect rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, nailing both the dramatic “land of the free” climax and the elongated closing “brave” note. 

The anthem has been performed at the Super Bowl in recent years by P!nkLuke BryanLady GagaIdina Menzel and Gladys Knight

The Super Bowl marks Lovato’s second Sunday in a row delivering a high-profile performance on national television, having debuted her new heart-wrenching single “Anyone” at the Grammys a week earlier

The song is expected to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, Lovato’s first entry on the chart since “Sober” in 2018. 

Cardi B to Perform at the VEWTOPIA Music Festival During Super Bowl Week

Cardi Bis headed to Miami for the Super Bowl festivities…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar will perform at the VEWTOPIA Music Festival during Super Bowl week in Miami, VEW Live! has confirmed.

Cardi B

Cardi B joins a lineup that includes Chris BrownMigosDaBabyNicky JamDJ KhaledGunnaMegan Thee StallionBurna BoyRemaAlex SensationJeremihTy Dolla $ignKoffeeDaniLeighSatoriShenseeaAfro BKid CapriSquashSafaree and Kali Cass.

VEW Live! announced in December that the acts will make up the inaugural VEWTOPIA Music Festival, which takes place January 31-February 1 at Marlins Park.

Vewtopia

Super Bowl 54 will take place on February 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez will headline the halftime show.