Every year, as September rolls around, the boxing world gets ready for one of its most lucrative weekends: Mexican Independence Day.
This isn’t just a time for good food, fireworks and fiestas. This tradition, which dates back decades, has become a cornerstone for fighters, promoters, and networks to cash in on the sport’s popularity, particularly among passionate Mexican fans.
A Tradition Rooted in Profit
The tradition of Mexican fighters headlining events on Mexican Independence Day didn’t begin with its first ‘golden age’ in the mid 1930’s. It wasn’t even during the second one in the 1960’s when the World Boxing Council (WBC) was formed in Mexico City either.
Boxing’s calendar wasn’t altered until the legend Julio César Chávez arrived on the scene, whose fights in the 1990s set the stage for this profitable trend.
Chávez’s new take on the ‘Mexican Style’ brought more eyes on the sport and in the 1992 bout against Hector “Macho” Camacho. It was more than a battle for pride; it was a financial juggernaut.
With over 19,000 fans at full volume in attendance and millions more watching at home, the fight generated significant revenue and established Mexican Independence Day as a prime date for boxing.
Today, this tradition continues with Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who has become the face of Mexican boxing. A Canelo fight on this holiday weekend is a major event, drawing huge crowds and raking in massive pay-per-view numbers.
The 2017 bout against Gennady Golovkin brought in over 1.3 million pay-per-view buys and nearly $100 million in revenue. The financial impact of these fights is undeniable, further cementing Mexican Independence Day one of the most lucrative weekends in the sport.
The Three Letter League
The UFC has long recognized the financial and cultural significance of Mexican Independence Day, making several attempts to capitalize on the date by hosting events featuring prominent Mexican or Mexican-American fighters.
The promotion has aimed to mirror the success seen in boxing, where fighters like Chávez and Canelo have turned the holiday into a lucrative spectacle.
In recent years, the UFC has increasingly focused on expanding its presence in Mexico, hosting events in cities like Mexico City and promoting stars like Yair Rodríguez, Brandon Moreno, and Alexa Grasso.
Despite these efforts, the UFC has struggled to replicate the massive pay-per-view numbers and fan engagement traditionally associated with boxing on this date.
The promotion’s attempts have included scheduling high-profile bouts around Mexican Independence Day, but none have yet reached the level of boxing’s biggest events.
With the continued rise of Mexican champions like Moreno, who recently reclaimed his flyweight title, and Grasso, who captured the women’s flyweight belt in 2023, the UFC remains committed to establishing a strong foothold in the Mexican market, and the potential for a breakthrough event on Mexican Independence Day remains high.
The Canelo Effect
Canelo Álvarez has taken the financial success of Mexican Independence Day boxing to new heights. Known for his ability to draw crowds, Canelo’s fights are more than just boxing matches—they are spectacles that captivate audiences worldwide.
His team masterfully turns each fight into a major event, from the pre-fight buildup to the post-fight celebrations, ensuring that every aspect is monetized.
The financial figures speak for themselves. Canelo’s 2017 fight with Golovkin generated around $27 million in live gate revenue alone, not to mention the millions more from pay-per-view sales, international broadcasting rights, and sponsorships.
The rematch in 2018 was even bigger, pulling in approximately $94 million from pay-per-view sales, making it one of the highest-grossing events of the year.
The Broader Economic Impact
The financial success of Mexican Independence Day fights extends beyond the fighters and promoters. Venues like Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena see a significant economic boost, with hotels, restaurants, and local businesses thriving as fans flock to the city for the event.
Broadcast networks and streaming services also benefit from increased viewership, with preliminary bouts and under card events enjoying heightened interest and revenue during these weekends.
While the flags fly and the Mariachis sing ‘Volver, Volver’ at the T-Mobile Arena on September 14th, only a mere 2 miles away will be the love letter to the Mexican people, UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The Future of the Tradition
With rising stars like Óscar Valdez and Jaime Munguía stepping into the spotlight, the tradition is poised to continue as the must watch event for years to come. The tradition of Mexican boxers fighting on Mexican Independence Day is one that has been etched into the fabric of the sport. It has given birth to legendary moments, iconic fights, and unforgettable champions.
From Floyd Mayweather’s walk out with a backwards sombrero draped in Mexican colors to Gervonta Davis following the formula to try to secure the invite to the carne asada, the pandering to ‘mi gente’ gets louder around May and September.
For Mexican fighters, stepping into the ring on this day is a rite of passage, a chance to prove themselves on the grandest stage. As long as the sport endures, so too will the legacy of these warriors who embody the spirit of Mexico every time they step between the ropes on September 16th.
For fight fans, the UFC doesn’t look to be backing down from trying to grab a piece of the pie so this means more thrilling fights each September (Boxing & MMA).
For the networks and promotions, as long as they can keep filling the seats it represents an ongoing opportunity to cash in on one of boxing’s most profitable weekends.
