The Mexican star signs a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, confirming a massive clash with Crawford in September
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has finalised a blockbuster four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, setting up a monumental showdown with unbeaten American Terence Crawford in September. The 34-year-old Mexican champion will fight in Saudi Arabia for the first time in May before facing Crawford, followed by two more high-profile bouts in 2026.
Negotiations for the Canelo-Crawford fight nearly collapsed earlier in the day. Alvarez was reportedly in talks to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in May under a separate contract. However, a last-minute intervention from Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, changed the course of events. Alvarez scrapped talks with Paul and instead committed to the Riyadh deal.
Alvarez, who holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO super-middleweight titles, boasts an incredible 62-2-2 professional record. Crawford, a two-division undisputed champion, has dominated every opponent in his path, remaining undefeated at 41-0. However, moving up in weight to challenge Canelo makes him a clear underdog.
Embed from Getty Images“I’m waiting on Canelo in September and going to shock the world in Riyadh,” Crawford declared, exuding confidence despite the odds.
Alvarez responded with a simple but commanding message: “Let’s go, brother.”
Saudi Arabia has rapidly become the epicentre of boxing’s biggest events, hosting heavyweight showdowns and high-profile clashes featuring the sport’s elite. The addition of Canelo and Crawford to Riyadh’s roster only solidifies the kingdom’s growing influence in combat sports.
With two fighters at the peak of their careers and the world watching, this Saudi showdown could become one of the most defining fights of the decade. The only question now—who will walk away as the king of boxing?
