Super middleweight Andre Dirrell raises funds to help Flint’s water problem

The crisis with the water supply in Flint, Mich., having been contaminated with lead has sparked nationwide outrage and concern.

Super middleweight Andre Dirrell knows he can't single-handedly change the situation, but he is trying to help his hometown. His goal is to raise $10,000 to help purchase clean drinking water.

"This is a tragedy," Dirrell said, "and I feel as though I'm in a position to not only do what I can to help these people, but encourage my fellow fighters and the whole boxing community to do what they can."

Dirrell has donated several thousand dollars. To donate, go to gofundme.com/7wm96hz8.

"On a personal note, I have over 30 family members living in Flint who can possibly be poisoned, including six or seven of my nieces and nephews who range from the ages of 2-13," Dirrell said. "It hurts knowing that there are serious long-term effects, especially on young kids. If those were my kids, I would want something to be done."

• CANELO-KHAN ODDS UPDATE — It didn't take long to move the betting line after Tuesday's announcement of the Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan middleweight title fight May 7 at T-Mobile Arena.

Westgate Las Vegas had opened Alvarez at minus-300, with Khan at plus-250. But Alvarez shot up to minus-360, with Khan at plus-300.

At the MGM Resorts sports books, Alvarez is minus-380, with Khan at plus-320.

The Nevada Athletic Commission granted Golden Boy Promotions' request Thursday for a change of venue to move the fight to T-Mobile from the MGM Grand Garden.

• FIRST FIGHT OF YEAR — After a month of no boxing, Las Vegas finally gets its first fight of the year when Premier Boxing Champions hosts a card Feb. 16 at Sam's Town.

In the main event, bantamweight Alexis Santiago (20-3-1, eight knockouts) faces Erik Ruiz (15-4, six KOs) in a 10-round bout. The card, promoted by Mayweather Promotions, will be televised on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes.

• MARES-MONTIEL — Former featherweight world champion Abner Mares has been added to the undercard of the March 12 Keith Thurman-Shawn Porter welterweight title fight at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Mares will meet Fernando Montiel in a 10-round bout. Both fighters are coming off losses.

Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) was defeated by Leo Santa Cruz by majority decision Aug. 29, giving Santa Cruz the World Boxing Association featherweight title. Montiel (54-5-2, 39 KOs) lost a 12-round unanimous decision to International Boxing Federation champ Lee Selby on Oct. 15.

The fight will be televised on CBS as the co-main event.

• REMEMBERING RICHIE — Richie Giachetti, who trained several notable heavyweights, including Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Earnie Shavers, Michael Dokes and Greg Page, as well as former junior welterweight champ Aaron Pryor, died Wednesday near Cleveland from kidney disease and other ailments. He was 76.

Giachetti was best known for his work with Holmes, the world heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985. He also was with Tyson in the 1990s and was in his corner the night of the infamous "Bite Fight" with Evander Holyfield in their 1997 rematch at the MGM Grand Garden.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj