Andrew Cancio kicks off Golden Boy dirt in new start with Top Rank

Andrew Cancio lost his WBA title in 2019 and was released by Golden Boy days later. He signed with Top Rank and is ready to fight. 

Andrew Cancio found out the hard way that loyalty in boxing is a rare luxury. He knew it all along but wasn’t ready for what was to come after losing his title in November of 2019.

Cancio’s underdog story appeals to everyone, regardless of whether you’re a boxing fan or not. His record isn’t sterling. Cancio (21-5-2, 16 KOs) has lost numerous times, been stopped on two occasions, and briefly retired. He also won a world title against the odds.

Before Cancio surprised all by knocking out Alberto Machado in February of 2019 to earn the WBA “regular” junior lightweight belt, he told FanSided, “I’ve gotten used to being the underdog. This isn’t the first time that I’ve been called the underdog.”

Going into his bout with Saul Rodriguez on Saturday, Sept. 12, on ESPN, Cancio is once again thrust into that familiar role.

Cancio stopped Machado for the second time in their rematch but lost his title to Rene Alvarado in November. He also lost his promoter, Golden Boy, three days later.

Shortly before his fight with Alvarado, Canico voiced his displeasure with Golden Boy to the LA Times. He felt like he wasn’t being treated like a champion, and other boxers were prioritized over him. Cancio was right.

His story caught the public’s attention because of his hardworking lifestyle. Cancio works full-time for the Southern California Gas Company while balancing marriage, fatherhood and a boxing career. The first win against Machado was a fairy tale. The Golden Boy release was a slap in the face, which still stings.

“With Golden Boy, it wasn’t the first time they did this to me, but I made sure it was the last time they did it to me,” Cancio recently told FanSided. “All I ever wanted was more money, for me to get paid right, and for me to fight in bigger venues. I did my part as a fighter and putting people in the seats here in Fantasy Springs. The way it all unfolded, that was so wrong.”

Golden Boy Promotions represents major stars like Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia. They’ve also been critical of Golden Boy, and Cancio sees a trend.

Andrew Cancio had an ugly breakup with Golden Boy. He’s hoping for a bright future with Top Rank.

“I guess they all have the same issue I had,” said Cancio. “With me, I got paid the lowest. Jojo Diaz was a three-time challenger, has a world-title [shot] against Tevin Farmer, and got paid $400,000. I was defending my title for the second time. I got paid $200,000, and they dumped me because I said what I said. I don’t know what’s going on over there, but I know what was going on for me. I felt like I got underpaid. It was always just my minimums. It was nothing ever more. It was a bad breakup.”

That’s all in the past. Cancio has a new home with Top Rank, and he’s ready for his first fight under their banner. The pandemic canceled his original fight date, but he meets Rodriguez (24-1-1, 18 KOs) for his return bout.

“I’m just happy that Top Rank gave me a second home, and hopefully, we can make some good money over here and win a world title,” said Cancio.

At 27, Rodriguez is four years younger than Cancio and boasts a high KO percentage. Coming off his loss to Alvarado, Cancio hopes to show improved defensive skills.

“I really hope that my combinations and my defense play a huge part in this fight,” stated Cancio. “That’s what we’re really looking forward to. We’re practicing a lot of head movement and just being smart in there. Throwing my jab more.”

Life is a bit chaotic for Cancio at the moment. He was promoted by the gas company and accepted a new position more than three hours away from his former home of Ventura, CA. He bought a new house for his family in Palm Desert and is now training with Marcus Caballero and Joel Diaz.

In a time of change, working in training isn’t an easy task.

“This is all new,” admitted Cancio. “This is my third week here training. It’s very new. We had to move all of our stuff from Ventura down this way. That was hectic enough. Moving into our new house has been really, really busy, and we’re still not done.”

Even with all that’s going on around him, Cancio has his heart set on winning another world title. He’s not driven by ego or vanity, but by his family.

“I got a family,” said Cancio. “I got goals that I want to accomplish. I want to be a two-time world champion. It’s just one of the sacrifices you have to do to continue going. That’s how I get up and do what I do.”

Becoming a world champion isn’t simple. Cancio knows that firsthand. Trying to accomplish that feat a second time is a steeper climb. The deck is stacked against Cancio, but what else is new?

Proving people wrong and defying convention is Cancio’s forte. He’s a natural-born dreamer with a knack for making them come true.