Cavazos Boxing is back

Long-time Texas promoter Anthony Cavazos is bringing his “Border Wars” back to the Rio Grande Valley with his show on July 28 at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. The card, featuring some outstanding up-and-coming talent, will see some fighters making their highly anticipated pro debuts along with some undefeated prospects headlining the top slots on the card. 

The show will be headlined by unbeaten Edinburg, Texas resident Fabian “The Unknown Warrior” Diaz. However, if he keeps putting in performances like he has in his first 4 bouts, he won’t be unknown for very long. Diaz, a good boxer-puncher, has shown he has some serious pop in his last 2 outings picking up 1st round KO’s.

Cavazos, a mainstay in Texas boxing promotions for over 20 years, has worked on developing boxers from novice-debut fighters to those battling for positions at the world championship level. While Cavazos has done a lot of promotions in the Lone Star State, he has also worked in co-promotions with some of boxing’s biggest promotional firms like Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, among others.

Guys like Cavazos are vital to the health of the sport in any region hoping to build fighters. It is the local promoter that provides a place for fighters to work, develop, and (if able) move to the next level.

The popular Border Wars series will feature some fighters worth keeping an eye on and every one of them will be looking to impress – and that is good news for fight fans.

MaxBoxing caught up with friendly, personable, Chicago-native Cavazos to get his thoughts on his upcoming show and his return to boxing after some time away.

Bill Tibbs: Hi Anthony, so great to catch up. How are you doing?

Anthony Cavazos: Hi Bill. I’m doing good; really busy. I have a lot going on with my ranch, some real estate deals, and getting ready for my fight card on July 28. I have to do it all. I sell the tickets, promote, and do the match-making, a lot to do but it’s going well. My wife does a lot and is a great help as well. But, we are working in some serious heat here, like 105. Man, it’s hot. We are almost sold out our ringside tables and we are looking at a great show. We have some really good fights lined up. 

BT: I thought you had stepped away. What brought you back?

AC: I guess I missed the excitement. We had some great shows in the past and had put a lot of our talent here in good fights. There is a lot of great young fighters here is south Texas and I wanted to give them a place to showcase their skills. When Covid hit and the commissions shut down shows here I thought, ‘maybe this is a good time to retire?’. I talked to my wife about it and decided it was a good time to stop. But, we had a break for a while, and that was good. We decided to go again and I’m enjoying it and looking forward to this show. We put on solid fights. Fans are going to see good fights, some of the great local talent we have here, and we have a great fighter in the main event.

BT: You are going with the “Border Wars” title again.

AC: Yes, that is the theme we use. We are close to the border, and we have great wars, lots of action. People want to see good fights. They don’t want to just see one-sided blowouts or boring matches; they want to see exciting fights. That is what I want to provide for them.

BT: Tell me a bit about your main event fighter – Fabian Diaz.

AC: Bill, the first time I saw this guy I realized he can really fight. He only has 4 pro fights, but he has 130 amateur fights and he won 3 national titles. This guy is a great fighter. He is sparring, going to war, with some great pros in the gym, and more than holding his own. He is a guy I think is going to do very well as a professional. His fight is going to be great, it’ll be like watching Barrera-Morales again. He’s in with a tough, undefeated Mexican, Ivan Delgado Alvarado. Fight of the Year type stuff.

BT: Sounds like you are going to have a great show. Is it one and done or is Cavazos Boxing back?

AC: Well, we are planning on more shows. We are looking at November after this. We are in a great arena; The Payne Arena in Hidalgo. It is going to be a great night of boxing. Lots of action. It’s a lot of hard work but it is good to be back. 

BT: Looking forward to chatting again soon Anthony

AC: Thanks Bill, appreciate it.