Banc of California Stadium

The Banc of California Stadium, now known as BMO Stadium, stands as a modern colosseum in the heart of Los Angeles, California. Opened in April 2018 at a cost of $250 million, this 22,000-capacity soccer-specific venue has rapidly become a versatile arena for various sporting events, including boxing. Nestled in the Exposition Park neighbourhood, the stadium's striking design features a 34-degree seating incline, one of the steepest in Major League Soccer, ensuring that even the farthest seat is no more than 135 feet from the pitch.

While primarily home to Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC, the stadium has also carved out a niche in the boxing world. On August 17, 2019, it hosted its inaugural boxing event, featuring a WBO junior featherweight title fight in which Manuel Navarrete successfully defended his belt against Francisco De Vaca with a third-round technical knockout. This maiden voyage into pugilism set the stage for future circulation within its confines.

The venue's boxing pedigree continued to grow with a Golden Boy Promotions event on July 9, 2021. Headlined by Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez's fourth-round stoppage of Sullivan Barrera, the card also saw Joseph Diaz triumph over Javier Fortuna, further cementing the stadium's reputation as a formidable boxing arena. However, the event on August 4, 2024, truly put BMO Stadium on the boxing map. Under its new moniker, the stadium played host to a significant bout that saw Terence Crawford move up in weight to capture the WBA super welterweight world title, defeating Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision and becoming a four-weight world champion.

The stadium's ability to attract high-profile events extends beyond traditional sports. It has welcomed diverse entertainment spectacles, from concerts featuring renowned artists to cultural festivals, drawing sold-out crowds. As it evolves, BMO Stadium honours the rich boxing legacy of its predecessor, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. It forges its identity as a premier venue for the sweet science in the City of Angels.