Marco Verde vs. Cristian Montero LIVE: Time and where to watch the Olympic boxer's Mexican debut TODAY

Tonight, Culiacán becomes the epicenter of Mexican boxing. Marco Verde, silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games , steps into the ring for the second time as a professional, but it's the first time he's doing so in front of his home crowd. His opponent is Colombian Cristian Montero , in a fight that raises great expectations for what it represents: the beginning of a new era for Mexican boxing.

Since his historic Olympic performance, the Mexican has been labeled as a promising boxer. Marco Verde's professional debut left a lasting impression with a resounding technical knockout in Saudi Arabia , but now he faces the real test: fighting at home, with the crowd in his favor and the spotlight on him.

Today, the Juan S. Millán Sports Center in Culiacán is witnessing the next chapter in his career, and the opponent he faces is no ordinary fighter. Cristian Montero, a Colombian with the longest professional career, enters this fight with the firm intention of spoiling the Sinaloan's party.

Montero's orthodox style and experience could complicate things for Verde if he fails to impose his rhythm from the first round.

Marco Verde and Cristian Montero's fight is this Saturday, July 12, and hundreds of people will be there to support him in his first professional match in Mexico.

The bout is scheduled for six rounds at 160 pounds , or middleweight. This Friday, July 11, both men stepped to the scales and made weight for this promising fight.

• Date : Saturday, July 12, 2025.
• Schedule : 11:00 PM , Central Mexico Time.
• Headquarters : Juan S. Millán Sports Center in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Marco Verde enters the ring tonight with more than just an undefeated record at stake. He fights in front of his fans, with the responsibility of making his way as a figure in national boxing and proving that his story is just beginning.

The good news for all those who love Mexican boxing is that the fight of Marco Verde, Olympic medalist , is available on open television.

Plus, the fight can also be watched online, so there's no excuse not to tune in. We're sharing the details for watching the boxing match live :

• Open television: TV Azteca (Azteca 7)
• Online: Azteca Deportes official website
• Streaming: TV Azteca mobile app, available for iOS and Android.

The public is encouraged to tune in early to stay connected to the event. Additionally, El Financiero Deportes will provide the most relevant updates and a recap of the fight.

Before turning pro, Marco Verde was already considered one of the jewels of Mexican amateur boxing . Originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, the young boxer gained international notoriety at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by winning a silver medal in the welterweight division.

That performance opened the door to professionalism for him, and now he seeks to establish himself as a serious contender internationally.

His first fight as a professional, held last May in Saudi Arabia (where he fought Canelo vs. William Scull) , ended with a technical knockout victory over Michel Polina .

However, this second appearance represents more than just a defense of his unbeaten record: it's his calling card to the Mexican public, a mental and emotional test in an environment where the pressure is as high as the expectations.

Marco Verde is currently training under the supervision of renowned trainer Eddy Reynoso, manager of Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez . Under his guidance, Verde is focused on improving his technique and maturing as a professional. The team is looking to take him step by step without skipping any steps, but they are aware that media pressure and public interest are at their peak.

Colombian Cristian Montero comes into the fight with a professional record of four wins (two by knockout) and four losses . Verde was originally scheduled to face Venezuelan Humberto Díaz, but visa issues took him off the card, and Montero took his place.

Despite the last-minute change, the South American fighter is no shoo-in. At 26 years old and with a career built on local circuits in South America, Montero is characterized by his endurance, orthodox style, and good defensive reading.

He's a boxer who knows how to draw out fights, making him an interesting test for a Verde who will look to make a statement in the early rounds.