Cinco de Mayo has long been a significant date in the world of boxing. Just as The Masters tournament defines golf in April, this weekend marks the biggest boxing events of the year. Traditionally celebrated in Las Vegas, the first weekend of May has consistently hosted legendary fighters, thrilling matches, and iconic moments inside the ring.
The True Meaning of Cinco de Mayo
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day—that falls on September 16. Instead, this date commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. While not a nationwide holiday in Mexico, it has become a day of cultural celebration in the United States and an annual spectacle in the boxing world.
The Evolution of Cinco de Mayo Boxing Events
The tradition of major boxing events on Cinco de Mayo weekend began in 2003, thanks to Oscar De La Hoya. The Mexican-American boxing icon established this period as a marquee moment for the sport, holding major fights in Las Vegas until his retirement in 2008.
Over the last two decades, legendary fighters have dominated the Cinco de Mayo stage:
- Floyd Mayweather – 6 headline fights
- Saul “Canelo” Alvarez – 6 headline fights
- Manny Pacquiao – 4 headline fights
- Oscar De La Hoya – 4 headline fights
Together, they have defined the spirit of Cinco de Mayo boxing, drawing millions of fans worldwide.
Cinco de Mayo 2025: A Three-Day Boxing Extravaganza
The 2025 edition of Cinco de Mayo weekend will be unlike any other. This year, boxing’s biggest weekend will stretch across three different locations over three days, creating an unprecedented spectacle for fans.
May 2, 2025 – Times Square Showdown
For the first time ever, a major boxing event will take place in the heart of New York City. Times Square will host an electrifying open-air event featuring:
- Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barbosa Jr.
- Devin Haney vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez
- Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero
This event will set the stage for an unforgettable weekend of boxing action.
May 3, 2025 – Canelo’s Historic Bout in Riyadh
For the first time in 22 years, Las Vegas will not host the headline fight of Cinco de Mayo weekend. Instead, boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) will fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will face undefeated IBF champion William Scull (23-0-0, 9 KOs) in what promises to be an intense battle for the unified super middleweight championship.
This fight marks Canelo’s 7th Cinco de Mayo event—but his first outside of the United States.
May 4, 2025 – Naoya Inoue Takes Over Las Vegas
To compensate for Canelo’s absence, legendary promoter Bob Arum secured the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue (29-0-0, 26 KOs). Inoue, one of the most feared knockout artists in the sport, will defend his unified super bantamweight titles against American contender Ramon Cardenas (26-1-0, 14 KOs).
With the full support of Las Vegas casinos and fans, this event ensures that the city remains a key player in Cinco de Mayo boxing traditions.
Patrice Volny’s Career-Defining Fight
Meanwhile, in Florida, Canadian middleweight Patrice Volny (19-1-0, 13 KOs) will face Austin Williams (17-1-0, 12 KOs) on March 15, 2025. Volny, a highly skilled yet underappreciated fighter, is looking to secure a major career breakthrough. His impressive performance against Esquiva Falcao in 2021 showed his potential, and a win here could catapult him into title contention.
Fans can watch this fight live on DAZN, starting at 6:30 PM EST.
A Record-Breaking Boxing Weekend
With events in New York, Riyadh, and Las Vegas, the 2025 Cinco de Mayo weekend is set to break attendance and viewership records. From Canelo’s Middle Eastern debut to Inoue’s Vegas takeover, this three-day extravaganza will go down in history as one of boxing’s most significant weekends.
Conclusion
Cinco de Mayo has always been synonymous with world-class boxing, and 2025 will elevate the tradition to new heights. Whether you’re watching from Times Square, Riyadh, Las Vegas, or your home, this will be a weekend to remember for boxing fans worldwide.
