Argentine sensation Alan Chaves will put his WBO Latino Lightweight title on the line against the Dominican Republic’s Eridson Garcia at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday, September 4, 2026.
This high-stakes encounter serves as a pivotal undercard attraction for the third headline show of the new “The Fight” monthly boxing series, which also features the return of former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. against Damian Knyba.
Chaves aims for sixth consecutive knockout
The matchup is set to catapult the winner further into the competitive lightweight division, with Chaves aiming to cement his world title credentials and Garcia seeking a career-defining upset. Boxing fans can catch the action co-exclusively in the U.S. on TNT, truTV, and DAZN, with a worldwide stream available via DAZN.
Alan Chaves, boasting an impressive undefeated record of 22-0 with 19 knockouts, comes into this bout riding a wave of momentum. The 25-year-old southpaw delivered a “KO of the year contending victory” in April in Las Vegas, where a ferocious left hook in the third round secured his fifth defense of the Latino title against Miguel Madueno.
Currently ranked #2 with the WBO, #4 with the IBF, and #7 with the WBC, Chaves is rapidly climbing the ranks. His consistent power and aggressive style make him a must-watch talent, and he’s looking for a sixth straight win inside the distance to underscore his readiness for a full world title shot at 135 pounds.
“Veneno” seeks to extend knockout streak
Chaves, known for his explosive power, has previously held the WBO Youth Lightweight title, signaling his promise from early in his career. A victory here not only keeps his perfect record intact but also strengthens his position for mandatory challenges in the stacked lightweight division. He faces a tough opponent in Garcia, who he acknowledges earned the opportunity.
“I appreciate Eridson accepting the fight when others didn’t,” Chaves said. “He earned the opportunity. Now he has to earn the victory—and that’s a much harder task.” This reflects Chaves’ confidence but also his respect for Garcia’s willingness to step up.
Garcia targets upset to enter world title picture
Eridson Garcia, 32, holds a solid professional record of 23-2 with 14 knockouts. The Houston-based Dominican fighter will be eager to bounce back after a ten-round defeat in April, also in Las Vegas, which snapped his impressive six-fight winning streak. That loss came via unanimous decision against Andres Cortes at Zuffa Boxing 5.
Despite the recent setback, Garcia has proven his mettle, previously capturing the WBA NABA Super Featherweight title and the North American Boxing Federation Super Featherweight championship. A win in the Garden State would be transformative for his career, immediately catapulting him into world title contention.
Dominican aims to derail unbeaten Argentine
Garcia isn’t shy about his intentions, openly relishing the chance to be the first to defeat the undefeated Chaves. “Alan Chaves is undefeated, dangerous and coming off a knockout everyone is talking about,” Garcia stated, adding, “Good—that means there will be no excuses when I beat him.”
He believes his experience will be the difference. “He has never faced anyone with my experience or the ability to take away his weapons. They call him ‘Veneno,’ but I’m bringing the antidote, and I’m coming to hand him the first loss of his career.” Such fighting words set the stage for an intense clash.
“The Fight” series builds consistent national stage
The Chaves vs. Garcia bout highlights the continued growth of “The Fight,” a new monthly boxing series from TNT Sports and DAZN. This initiative aims to provide a consistent national platform for boxing’s biggest matchups and its emerging stars, delivering events live across TNT Sports and DAZN platforms in the U.S., and streaming worldwide on DAZN.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn emphasized the significance of Chaves’ inclusion. “September 4 in New Jersey just got even better with Alan Chaves being added to the card,” Hearn noted. He praised Chaves’ April performance, calling it an “incredible KO of the year contender.”
High-stakes undercard features rising talents
The series, now on its third headline show, reflects a strategic effort to foster fan engagement through a seamless, multi-platform experience. Beyond the live broadcasts, TNT Sports’ networks, including Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, plan additional original programming and digital content to spotlight the personalities and storylines driving each event.
This approach helps to build broader narratives around fighters like Chaves and Garcia, giving them more exposure than traditional boxing events. For boxers vying for recognition, these kinds of regular national showcases are invaluable. The WBO’s mandatory defense rules, for instance, often push champions towards significant matchups that garner widespread attention.
Stacked card promises exciting Newark showdown
While Chaves and Garcia will undoubtedly deliver fireworks, their bout is part of a significantly stacked card for September 4. The main event features former unified Heavyweight ruler Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1, 22 KOs) facing off against Poland’s Damian Knyba (17-1, 11 KOs) in a 12-round heavyweight clash.
The co-main event sees New Jersey native Vito Mielnicki Jr. (23-1, 13 KOs) take on Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (20-2, 12 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight contest. These fights alone would draw considerable interest, but the depth of the undercard further enhances the event’s appeal.
Heavyweight return headlines September card
Other notable additions to the lineup include Zaquin Moses (7-0, 3 KOs), who makes his home soil debut and first eight-round fight at super featherweight. Philadelphia’s Dennis Thompson (11-0, 6 KOs) will also compete in his second eight-rounder, following a win in June on the undercard of Jaron Ennis’ victory over Xander Zayas.
Welterweight Brooke Mullen (3-0, 2 KOs) from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, will also fight for the fourth time in the paid ranks. Two-weight unified king Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis will be in attendance, with his Boots Promotions outfit showcasing two fighters on the card, further highlighting the developmental aspect of the event.
Many fighters look to capitalize on such opportunities to earn world title shots or secure lucrative future bouts. The WBO, in particular, often provides clear pathways to championship contention for promising fighters.
What a win means for Chaves or Garcia
For Alan Chaves, a dominant performance and another knockout victory would not only extend his undefeated record but significantly bolster his argument for a world title shot. He’s already highly ranked across major sanctioning bodies, and consistently stopping contenders like Garcia would make it difficult for any champion to ignore him.
This fight represents a crucial step in his transition from a regional champion to a global threat, especially in a division as competitive as lightweight. It’s about proving he belongs among the elite, and a commanding win would send a clear message to the likes of top-tier WBO contenders.
Conversely, for Eridson Garcia, a victory over an undefeated, highly-ranked opponent like Chaves would be monumental. It would immediately erase the memory of his recent loss and reposition him as a legitimate threat in the lightweight division. Such an upset would drastically improve his standing and open doors to bigger fights he wouldn’t otherwise receive.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both men. Chaves wants to maintain his perfect run and accelerate his journey to a world championship, while Garcia aims to capitalize on his experience and derail the Argentine’s rapid ascent. The Prudential Center crowd is set for a compelling battle that could have significant ramifications for the lightweight landscape.
