Top Rank and ESPN have overhauled the February 2 show, including adding a third world title fight to the card.
The event, scheduled to be headlined by Eleider Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev for the WBO light heavyweight title, will now feature the return of WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez. Valdez will defend his title against Italian challenger Carmine Tommasone.
Valdez will return to the ring for the first time in a year after he suffered a broken jaw during his latest title defense against Scott Quigg. Valdez will take on Tommasone, an unbeaten pro boxer who was one of three pro boxers to compete in the 2016 Olympics and is a former WBA Intercontinental featherweight titleholder.
Top Rank also formally announced the IBF lightweight title fight between Richard Commey and Isa Chaniev. The two boxers will compete for the title that was previously vacated by current WBC champion Mikey Garcia.
The aforementioned overhaul to the card mainly revolves around the scheduling and broadcasting platforms for the fight. Originally, the card was supposed to be shown on ESPN television and feature the WBO light heavyweight title fight. Instead, Valdez's return and the vacant IBF lightweight title bout will make up the ESPN TV card starting at 10 p.m. ET.
As for the Alvarez vs. Kovalev fight, it will now headline a live broadcast on ESPN+ after the ESPN portion concludes. Rising lightweight star Teofimo Lopez Jr. is also scheduled to fight on the ESPN+ portion right before the main event.
Below is the schedule lineup for the event, taking place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas:
7 p.m.-10 p.m. ET (ESPN+): Undercard Fights
10 p.m.–12 a.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN Deportes):
- Oscar Valdez (c) vs. Carmine Tommasone: WBO featherweight title
- Richard Commey vs. Isa Chaniev: Vacant IBF lightweight title
12 a.m. ET (ESPN+):
- Eleider Alvarez (c) vs. Sergey Kovalev: WBO light heavyweight title
- Teofimo Lopez vs. TBD
The fight will mark the first fight in Alvarez's new co-promotional deal with Top Rank Boxing.
