Boxing
Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Set for September Showdown

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and former undisputed welterweight king Terence “Bud” Crawford have reportedly agreed to face each other in a monumental clash this September. This long-awaited matchup between two of boxing’s most elite talents is set to take place at a catchweight of 165 pounds, bridging the gap between their natural weight classes.
‼️ Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford now has an agreement in place for a September mega fight on a Riyadh Season card in Las Vegas, The Ring has learned. pic.twitter.com/8LTvZYAniT
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 3, 2025
A Dream Match Years in the Making
The road to this blockbuster bout has been paved with speculation and anticipation. Crawford, having conquered the welterweight division, has long expressed interest in moving up in weight to challenge Canelo. The Mexican superstar, for his part, has been open to the idea, stating last year, “It’s possible, why not? It’s possible. If it makes sense, I’m down to do it. I don’t care who is there, I’m always able to fight anybody”.
The negotiations for this fight gained significant momentum following Crawford’s successful debut at light middleweight last August, where he claimed the WBA and WBO interim titles[1]. Canelo’s recent dominant performance against Jaime Munguia further fueled the fire, with both fighters seemingly at the peak of their powers.
🤝 Canelo Alvarez X Turki Alalshikh pic.twitter.com/evHxSLYcnz
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) January 11, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman, Turki Alalshikh, has played a pivotal role in making this dream match a reality. Alalshikh had previously expressed his desire to bring these two boxing giants together, and it appears his efforts have finally paid off.
Implications for Boxing’s Landscape
This matchup carries enormous implications for both fighters’ legacies and the sport as a whole. Canelo Alvarez, with his impressive record of 62-2-2 (39 KOs), has been a dominant force across multiple weight classes. A victory over Crawford would further cement his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
For Crawford (41-0, 32 KOs), this represents an opportunity to make history. A win over Canelo would not only add an unprecedented fourth undisputed championship to his resume but also likely secure his position as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.
The fight presents intriguing stylistic matchups. Canelo’s power and body attack will be pitted against Crawford’s speed, precision, and ability to switch stances. While Canelo will likely have a significant size advantage, Crawford’s reach and technical skills could prove to be equalizers.
Boxing analysts are already debating the potential outcomes. Former IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron cautioned, “154 at most for Crawford to compete with Canelo. Canelo is just so stocky and short so the height wouldn’t matter for Crawford. Fighting Canelo at 160 or 168 is a dumb move unless he’s cashing in”. However, Crawford’s exceptional skills and undefeated record suggest he may be capable of overcoming the size disparity.
As September approaches, the boxing world will be abuzz with anticipation. This clash of titans represents everything fans love about the sport – two elite champions, at the top of their game, willing to risk it all for glory. Whether it’s Canelo’s power or Crawford’s precision that prevails, one thing is certain: September 2025 will mark a historic moment in boxing history.