Andrew Cain and Alejandro Jair Gonzalez to meet in WBC bantamweight eliminator

Andrew Cain will meet Mexican Alejandro Jair Gonzalez in an official WBC eliminator

WBC Silver bantamweight champion Andrew Cain (14-1, 12 KOs) will fight WBC #3 Alejandro Jair Gonzalez (19-6-3, 11 KOs) in an official eliminator, with the winner going on to challenge for the WBC world bantamweight title.

The current champion is the undefeated Japanese star Junto Nakatani, who is expected to move up to super-bantamweight to challenge fellow countryman Naoya Inoue soon.

Cain has just one defeat on his impressive record, which came via split decision against the pesky Romanian Ionut Baluta, who also upset Andrew's teammate Brad Strand. Not everyone agreed with the ruling, however, most notably Carl Frampton tweeting the following from ringside: "Andrew Cain will be disappointed, but he shouldn't be too hard on himself. Won by a fair margin in my eyes. Bold statement, but he still becomes world champion."

The 28-year-old has collected British, Commonwealth and WBC Silver bantamweight titles. In his last bout, he beat former world champion Charlie Edwards, and is now rated WBC #6, IBF #9, WBO #10, IBO #7.

From Liverpool, Cain trains at the famous Everton Red Triangle with the UK's top trainer Paul Stevenson, and WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, plus Olympian Peter McGrail.

Alejandro Jair Gonzalez has lost just once from his last 10 bouts, which includes five KOs. In his last four fights, he has won WBC Latino, WBC Silver, and WBC International Silver titles, resulting in his lofty #3 world ranking.

Cain has been signed to promoter Frank Warren since 2020, who will make an official announcement on the fight shortly.

Who is Alejandro Jair Gonzalez?

Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Diaz, known as ‘Conejo’, is 25-years-old from Mexico City.

Traditionally, like most Mexican fighters, he has an aggressive style that is based on excellent physical condition and an indomitable heart.

Also, similarly to his countrymen, he turned pro early, aged 18, in August 2018. He was unbeaten for his first six bouts, before losing via fourth-round knockout at 19. His next 15 fights were chequered with losses, but has since gone unbeaten in his last seven contests.

Always ready to fight wherever and whenever, he has boxed in England once before against the then unbeaten Billy Stuart, who was 10-0 at the time in 2021. Gonzalez defeated the Scottish "Butcher" for the IBF Youth super-bantamweight title, a belt that has previously been held by Rey Vargas and Kid Galahad.

Jair has also fought in Panama and Puerta Rico. All his other 25 fights have taken place in Mexico.

He has challenged for the WBA Fedelatin bantamweight title before, in March 2022, knocking down Liborio Solis in the second round, but ultimately losing by just a single point over 10-rounds at 94-95 twice and 93-96.

Prior to that he was beaten unanimously for the WBC Latino featherweight title in December 2021. However, he won the bantamweight version in May 2024, which propelled him into a WBC Silver title fight, which he won widely via UD.

Then, he won the WBC International Silver bantamweight belt in May this year. In his last four fights, he has won Latino, Silver, and International titles with the WBC, resulting in his lofty #3 positioning in their world rankings. He is also ranked IBO #11.

DID YOU KNOW? Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Diaz was born on the first day of the new millennium, so his date of birth is 01/01/00.