In boxing, timing is everything. And when Saudi Arabia chose its moment, the entire sport shifted. This is how Riyadh didn’t just host mega-fights, it changed what mega fights mean.
Canelo vs Crawford: The Fight of the Century Begins in Riyadh
In one of the most highly anticipated boxing events in recent memory, Riyadh Season officially kicked off the global media tour for the "Fight of the Century”. A historic clash between the Mexican superstar Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) and undefeated American champion Terence "Bud" Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs). The September 13 bout at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas marks a pivotal moment in boxing history. Still, its story began in Saudi Arabia, where both fighters faced off at the Bakr Al Sheddi Theater in Boulevard City during a fiery press conference that set social media ablaze.
GettyRiyadh Rewrites the Rules: No longer a host, now the author of the fight game.
When His Excellency Turki Alalshikh took the stage in Riyadh, flanked by two of boxing's pound-for-pound kings, he wasn't just announcing another fight — he was unveiling Saudi Arabia's latest strategic move in its combat sports revolution. As Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation, Alalshikh has engineered what industry experts call "the most aggressive takeover in sports promotion history." The Riyadh launch;not Las Vegas or New York; speaks volumes about where boxing's true power now resides. From securing unprecedented Netflix deals to redefining fighter purses, Alalshikh's vision has transformed Saudi Arabia into the sport's undeniable epicenter, proving that the future of boxing is not just being fought in the ring, but orchestrated from Riyadh's command center.
AdvertisementGettyFrom Silence and Roar, Canelo’s control vs. Crawford’s climb.
Before they shared a stage in Riyadh, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford had already carved out two of the most decorated careers in modern boxing, yet on entirely different terms.
Canelo Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs)
The face of Mexican boxing carries a legacy built on calculated aggression. His body attack (landing 42% on the midsection) systematically breaks opponents, while improved head movement under Eddy Reynoso has transformed him from a brawler to a complete fighter. But after struggling with mobile opponents like Bivol, questions linger: Can the 34-year-old adapt his pressure against boxing's most competent technician?
Terence "Bud" Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs)
Boxing's chameleon dominates with an eerie ability to shift stances mid-combination, landing 38% of power punches. His dismantling of Spence proved he thrives under bright lights. Now, jumping 21 pounds to challenge Canelo, he seeks what even Mayweather couldn't — Mexican glory on his resume. As he told before: "They will remember who stepped up when others made excuses."
The Price of Immortality For both, the reward is history. The cost? Everything.
For both Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, September 13 isn't just a date, it's a defining moment that will cement their place in boxing history.
For Canelo:
This is about dominion. The Mexican star has controlled every aspect of his career for a decade, including selecting opponents, choosing venues, and even determining fight dates. But in Crawford, he faces an unprecedented challenge: an undefeated technician jumping two weight classes to dethrone him. At 34, Canelo must prove that his evolution can outwit boxing's sharpest mind, not just overpower smaller foes. A loss wouldn't just blemish his record — it would rewrite his entire era.
For Crawford:
This is his ultimate validation. Despite being undisputed in two divisions (and 36 years old), Crawford has fought in the shadows. His masterclass against Spence silenced doubters; defeating Canelo would obliterate them. The Omaha native risks everything — moving up 21 pounds, fighting in enemy territory, and facing boxing's biggest star. But the reward? A claim no one can dispute: the best pound-for-pound fighter of his generation, regardless of weight.
The contrast is stark:
Canelo defends his throne.
Crawford seeks to build his
One man's empire versus another's destiny
The Business Behind the Battle: Boxing’s New Operating System
This event isn’t just breaking pay-per-view records—it’s shattering boxing’s entire commercial model. Three partnerships reveal the shift:
Netflix: The streaming giant’s first foray into live boxing, “a potential reach of over 300 million households worldwide,” eliminates PPV barriers—but only because Saudi Arabia guaranteed the production scale.
GEA: More than a checkbook, the Authority dictates everything from press conference theatrics to fighter documentaries, turning athletes into cross-platform IP.
Legacy Players (Matchroom/CAA): Even boxing’s old guard now operates within Riyadh’s rules, as one insider admitted:
The lesson? Today’s mega-fights aren’t sold—they’re engineered.