Cancio and Alvarado first met in December 2015 at the same venue as the rematch, with the current champion scoring an eighth-round knockout in an exciting fight.

The 30-year-old Cancio took the boxing world by storm when he scored a fourth-round knockout over the heralded Alberto Machado to gain the championship. They ran it back in June, and Cancio proved the first time around wasn't a fluke by finishing Machado off one round earlier to retain the belt. After the fight, Cancio (21-4-2, 16 KOs) knew Alvarado would likely be the next challenger, and here we are. 

"I'm very excited to return to my second home, Fantasy Springs Casino on November 23 for the rematch with Rene Alvarado," Cancio said in a press release. "This is my 12th time fighting there, and I love the enthusiasm my fans bring to the venue in support of my fights. Rene Alvarado and I have fought before, and now he's earned another opportunity to fight me. I know he'll be very well prepared to try and take my WBA world title. However, I plan on defending my championship in impressive style once again and show boxing fans in attendance and watching on DAZN that I'm the best 130-pound fighter in the world, period!"

VOICES FROM THE RING: Andrew Cancio

Since the loss to Cancio almost four years ago, Alvarado (31-8, 20 KOs) has competed 10 times. The 30-year-old has gone 8-2 over that span, including a current seven-fight winning streak to earn a chance to win his first major world title. He knows what Cancio brings to the table and expects the fight to be a carbon copy of the first bout, except with a different result.

"Nicaragua is known for its great world champions, and I'm one step away from becoming one," Alvarado said. "I'm coming for the victory against Andrew Cancio on November 23. We know each other very well, and it's going to be a war."