David Benavidez to Fight Caleb Plant in Las Vegas This March

David Benavidez is heading back to the ring in March…

The 26-year-old Mexican and Ecuadorian American professional boxer, a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, will meet Caleb Plant in a long-awaited fight on March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to ESPN.

David BenavidezThe 168-pound bout will be a PBC on Showtime PPV.

Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) and Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) both announced in November that they struck a deal for the grudge match. They’ve traded plenty of barbs in both directions, and it all leads to a fascinating clash of styles.

Benavidez is a volume-punching pressure fighter who’s been among boxing’s most avoided fighters.

Plant, 30, is a stick-and-move boxer whose only defeat came last November in an 11th-round TKO loss to Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion. But after Alvarez, Benavidez and Plant are widely considered the two best fighters who campaign at 168 pounds (Benavidez is ESPN’s No. 2 super middleweight; Plant is No. 3).

“You can’t hide from me anymore, I’ll see you soon,” Benavidez wrote on Instagram in November.

“I went and made it happen,” Plant wrote. “Contract signed. See you early next year.”

Benavidez was slated to meet Jose Uzcategui in January before the fight was scrapped. The Phoenix-born boxer twice held a super middleweight title but both times lost his belt outside the ring.

First, a positive test for cocaine in 2018 led to him being stripped. Benavidez regained the title with a ninth-round KO of Anthony Dirrell in 2019 but was forced to relinquish his belt the following year when he failed to make weight.

Most recently, Benavidez scored a third-round TKO of former middleweight titleholder David Lemieux in May.

Plant, who fights out of Las Vegas, won the IBF super middleweight title in 2019 with a unanimous decision victory over Uzcategui. He made three successful defenses before he lost the belt in the undisputed championship fight against Alvarez.

Plant rebounded last month with a spectacular ninth-round KO of Dirrell.

Jessie Reyez to Appear on Sam Smith’s New Single “Gimme”

Jessie Reyez is about to gimme more…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer, who was born and raised in Canada, is joining voices with Sam Smith and Koffee for the new single “Gimme.”

Jessie ReyezSmith announced the new single over the weekend, saying it will be officially released on Wednesday, January 11.

Teasing the new track on Instagram and TikTok, Smith also shared a snippet of the song’s infectious chorus, with them and Reyez singing the word “gimme what I want” over an undulating tropical beat.

Fans of Reyez will also be excited to know that this is not the only time the R&B star will be appearing on Smith’s new album Gloria — the singer is also credited as a featured artist on the song “Perfect.”

Reyez was also announced as Smith’s special guest for their upcoming U.S. tour, which will see them hit arenas around the country this summer.

Gloria, which will be released on Friday, January 27, is marked to be something of a breakthrough for Smith in terms of songwriting and production.

Speaking to Billboard for its August cover story last year, the star said that fans can expect to hear Smith’s “first non-heartbreak album,” and that the project was centered around the concept of queer joy. “I think joy for me, and for a lot of queer people, is quite a dangerous place,” Smith said “We’re all masters of pain, and I think it’s actually a very courageous act to step into the queer joy of it all.”

Jennifer Lopez Shines a Spotlight on “Hummingbird,” a Single on New Album “This Is Me … Now”

Jennifer Lopez is humming along…

The 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar will launch a new era of her career in 2023 with the release of her new album, This Is Me … Now.

Jennifer LopezAnd in her latest newsletter, J.Lo opened up about one of the songs she wrote for the set, and revealed how it inspired her and husband Ben Affleck’s blended-family Christmas celebrations.

“I wrote a song called ‘Hummingbird’ for my new album. To me, hummingbirds are messengers of love,” Lopez explained in her On The JLo newsletter. “They’re very agile — can fly forward, backward, and up and down. They’re also the fastest bird but they always have time to stop, eat something sweet and smell the roses.”

“I identify with them, but more than anything, whenever I see one, I feel like it’s a sign from God that everything is going to be OK,” she added.

The Marry Me star, who said she’d spent recent weeks “hunkering down at home” after wrapping up her newest movie Atlas, went on to say that she likes to create a different theme for each holiday she celebrates.

“I decided this year that the hummingbird would be a perfect theme,” she continued. “I wanted to have a tree in the house that was a hummingbird tree, reminding us that everything done in love and with love will always be OK.”

“We have blended families, doubled the people, doubled the fun, doubled the love, doubled the presents and tripled the chaos!!” added Lopez, whose household includes Affleck (whom she married in July), his three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner — 17-year-old Violet, 13-year-old Seraphina and 10-year-old Samuel — and Lopez’s two children with ex-husband Marc Anthony, 14-year-old twins Max and Emme.

One of the ways the “Let’s Get Loud” singer and the Oscar winner celebrated the holidays this year was by hosting a star-studded Christmas party in L.A., at which Lopez wore a Gucci dress with green and gold “hummingbird” colors, she pointed out in her newsletter.

This Is Me … Now is expected next year, though its exact release date has not yet been revealed. Lopez first announced the album — a follow-up to her 2002 record This Is Me … Then — in a late November Instagram post. She also at that time unveiled the tracklist, which lists “Hummingbird” at No. 8.

Ryan Garcia to Fight Mercito Gesta in January 2023 Tune-Up Fight

Ryan Garcia has locked in his tune-up opponent…

The 24-year-old Mexican American professional boxer has signed a contract to fight Mercito Gesta in a January 28 fight in Phoenix, according to ESPN.

Ryan “Kingry” Garcia 

The 140-pound bout will serve as a tune-up for Garcia, who is slated to meet Gervonta Davis on April 15 in a Las Vegas superfight at a 136-pound catchweight.

Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) has his own tuneup January 7 against 130-pound titleholder Hector Luis Garcia in Washington.

Both Ryan Garcia and Davis must emerge victorious — and uninjured — from their respective January bouts to proceed with their April 15 pay-per-view showdown.

Davis’ trial for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run crash, meanwhile, is scheduled for Feb. 16 in his native Baltimore, according to court records.

Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) is one of the biggest stars in boxing, with 9 million followers on Instagram. He will be a heavy favorite against Gesta, a 35-year-old Filipino who has won two of his past five bouts.

The matchup with Gesta (33-3-3, 17 KOs) comes after a pair of victories for Garcia this year, both at 140 pounds. He scored a unanimous-decision win over fringe contender Emmanuel Tagoe in April and followed up with a sixth-round KO over perennial contender Javier Fortuna.

Garcia, who fights out of the San Diego area, picked up his career-best victory in January 2021 after he survived a knockdown to stop Luke Campbell in the seventh round.

He didn’t fight the rest of 2021 after he withdrew from a fight with Fortuna to address his mental health then had to scrap a bout with Joseph Diaz Jr. due to wrist surgery.

While Garcia is facing a genuine stay-busy opponent, Davis is meeting a boxer who broke through in 2022.

Hector Luis Garcia, a 10-1 underdog, routed Chris Colbert via unanimous decision in February before a wide-points victory over Roger Gutierrez earned him the WBA junior lightweight title.

The 31-year-old Dominican is ESPN’s No. 4 boxer at 130 pounds. Hector Luis Garcia (16-0, 10 KOs) will move up 5 pounds for the lightweight clash with Davis.

Enzo Alves, Son of Soccer Legend Marcelo, Signs First Contract with Real Madrid

Enzo Alves is following in his father’s footsteps…

The 13-year-old son of Brazilian Real Madrid legend Marcelo has signed his first contract with the club.

Enzo AlvesEnzo has featured for Madrid’s academy teams since 2017.

The teenager confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Saturday, saying “My first contract with the best club in the world. Very happy.”

Enzo is a highly rated center forward who plays for Real Madrid’s under-14 side.

He is represented by the agency founded by his father, Group Doze.

Marcelo left Madrid last summer after 15 years at the club, during which he won five Champions League and six LaLiga titles, to join Olympiakos in Greece.

He captained Madrid last season to a Champions League and LaLiga double — although playing a reduced role on the pitch — to become the most decorated player in the club’s history with a total of 25 trophies won.

Marcelo has had a difficult start to life in Greece, making just two substitute appearances in the Super League so far this season.

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Mates’ Helping Hands Concert to Air on Paramount+

Here’s your chance to watch Robert Trujillo in guitar action for charity…

The 58-year-old half-Mexican American musician and his fellow Metallica band mates’ Helping Hands benefit concert will air on Paramount+, Pluto TV and MTV’s YouTube channel.

Metallica“We’re looking forward to celebrating the achievements of All Within My Hands at this year’s Helping Hands Concert & Auction and we’re psyched to tell you that it will be streamed live, thanks to our friends at @paramountplus!” the band wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday (Nov. 22).

The sold out December 16 show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles will be hosted by late night’s Jimmy Kimmel and feature an opening set from Greta Van Fleet.

The event will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET and stream live on Paramount+, with simulcasts on Pluto and YouTube.

It will also feature an auction that kicks off on December 5 to benefit the foundation, with 100% of the ticket and auction proceeds earmarked for those in need via a number of national and local charities.

Among the organizations that All Within My Hands has partnered with over the years are: the American Association of Community Colleges, Feeding America, Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen.

This year alone the foundation has handed out $100,000 to Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen to help those hit hardest by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona in Florida and Puerto Rico in October, as well as $20,000 to the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in August and $100,000 to World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s unprovoked war on their country.

Lourdes Leon Releases Debut EP “Go”

Lourdes Leon is on the go

The 26-year-old half-Cuban American singer and model has released her debut EP titled Go.

Lourdes Leon,Her musical debut consists of five tracks released via Chemical X Records.

Leon, who goes by the musical name Lolahol, made headlines on Wednesday with the release of a dark, NSFW music video for single “CUNTRADICTION.” The music video, which features Leon dancing in the stables of a ranch, is fitting for the edgy song.

According to a press release announcing the EP, the project “spans R&B, alternative pop and classic trip-hop.”

While Go is Leon’s first EP, the singer, fashion model and designer released her first song “Lock & Key” on August 24. The song’s release coincided with the release of a sensual music video filmed on the beach.

The leap into the music industry was a natural one for the daughter of pop icon Madonna.

Leon’s mom was more than enthusiastic about the development. She took to her Instagram story to post a screenshot of the cover art for “Lock & Key,” = captioning it, “I am so proud of you Lola!”

David Benavidez Agrees to Fight Caleb Plant in Early 2023

David Benavidez is headed back to the ring for a highly anticipated bout…

The 25-year-old Mexican and Ecuadorian American boxer and Caleb Plant, both former super middleweight titleholders, have announced that they’ve struck a deal for a long-awaited fight.

David BenavidezThe 168-pound bout will be presented by Premier Boxing Champions on pay-per-view in the first quarter of 2023, according to ESPN.

Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) and Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) have circled each other for years with plenty of barbs in both directions. Besides a genuine grudge, Benavidez-Plant is a fascinating clash of styles.

Benavidez is a volume-punching pressure fighter who’s been among boxing’s most avoided fighters.

Plant, 30, is a stick-and-move boxer whose only defeat came last November in an 11th-round TKO loss to Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion.

But after Alvarez, Benavidez and Plant are widely considered the two best fighters who campaign at 168 pounds (Benavidez is ESPN’s No. 2 super middleweight; Plant is No. 3).

“You can’t hide from me anymore, I’ll see you soon,” Benavidez wrote on Instagram.

“I went and made it happen,” Plant wrote. “Contract signed. See you early next year.”

Benavidez was slated to meet Jose Uzcategui in January before the fight was scrapped. The Phoenix-born boxer twice held a super middleweight title but both times lost his belt outside the ring.

First, a positive test for cocaine in 2018 led to him being stripped. Benavidez regained the title with a ninth-round KO of Anthony Dirrell in 2019 but was forced to relinquish his belt the following year when he failed to make weight.

Most recently, Benavidez scored a third-round TKO of former middleweight titleholder David Lemieux in May.

Plant, who fights out of Las Vegas, won the IBF super middleweight title in 2019 with a unanimous decision victory over Uzcategui. He made three successful defenses before he lost the belt in the undisputed championship fight against Alvarez.

Plant rebounded last month with a spectacular ninth-round KO of Dirrell.

Anahí Returning to Music with “Déjame Vivir,” New Collaboration with the Late Juan Gabriel

Anahí is preparing for her return to the music world…

The 39-year-old Mexican actress and singer will make her official comeback to music with “Déjame Vivir,” a new collaboration alongside Juan Gabriel. 

AnahiThe single—released posthumously, six years after Juanga’s passing—is a new version of his Rocío Dúrcal-assisted single that launched in 1984. Almost 40 years later, Anahi gives it a modern EDM twist.

“Who’s excited to listen to it?” the singer asked her fans on Instagram, sharing a 15-second preview of the video that features both stars.

“Déjame Vivir,” which marks Anahí’s first official release since “Latidos” in 2020, follows El Divo de Juarez’s “Mía Un Año” released last month in collaboration with Eslabon Armado.

The collaborative track with Juanga comes after his duets with Marc Anthony, J Balvin, and other major artists who formed part of his Los Dúo 2 album released in 2015, which ruled the No. 1 spot on the Top Latin Albums chart for 20 weeks in 2016.

Although it’s Anahí’s first single in two years, she has kept herself busy with music endeavors — in June, the former Rebelde star joined Karol G on stage for an epic rendition of RBD’s 2004 hit “Salvame.”

The performance that took place during the Bichota Reloaded tour in Mexico City became the first time Anahí performed live in 11 years. The singer’s last concert prior to that was in 2011 with her Go Any Go Tour.

Anahí has also been spotted spending time with her former RBD bandmates Maite Perroni, Christian Chávez and Christopher Von Uckermann — first in December 2020 when they hosted a virtual reunion called “Ser o Parecer,” and most recently for Perroni’s wedding to longtime boyfriend Andrés Tovar.

“Déjame Vivir,” which drops at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 27, will form part of the upcoming Los Dúo 3 set.

Maluma Releases New Single with Adam Levine & The Rudeboyz

Maluma is hoping to heal…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor has joined voices with Adam Levine and The Rudeboyz to release the highly anticipated single “Ojalá.”

Maluma, Adam Levine, The RudeboyzThe sultry reggaeton track features the Maroon 5 frontman and former The Voice coach singing in Spanish for the first time.

The new song — produced by Maluma’s longtime collaborators The Rudeboyz — finds the Colombian star and Levine trading verses about losing a girl and getting over the heartbreak. They both declare: It won’t be easy getting over them.

“Ojalá” is the debut single from The Rudeboyz’s upcoming debut album.

The track arrived alongside a music video directed by Diane Martel via NEON16 & Sony Music Latin.

The three-minute clip starts off with Chan El Genio and Kevin ADG (The Rudeboyz) listening to an “incredible” beat they just produced and say, “What if we can get Maluma and Adam Levine on this song, we’d kill it. Can you imagine? That would be a dream.”

The artists first announced the collaboration on October 14 via social media. Levine teased a 20-second clip of the upbeat track on his TikTok page, captioning the post, “#Ojala @RUDEBOYZ @Juan Luis.”

Maluma shared the snippet to his Instagram Stories and as a post, writing on one story, “What do you think about this?” Meanwhile, The Rudeboyz wrote, “A very important release for us with people we admire a lot!!  Keep your eyes on this !! @maluma @adamlevine.”

Back in June, Levine had already hinted at a possible collaboration with Maluma. He posted a photo of them on Instagram of the two hanging out in a studio and wrote, “World ain’t ready.”

The Rudeboyz, who were recently signed by Tainy‘s NEON16, have produced hits for artists such as Shakira, Sech, Jennifer Lopez, Prince Royce and Sebastián Yatra, among others.