Get ready for boxing's biggest event of the year! On Saturday night, Las Vegas's Allegiant Stadium will host a clash of titans: the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Álvarez, facing the formidable Terence Crawford, who's stepping up two weight classes for this monumental challenge. This isn't just a fight; it's a historical moment, streamed globally on Netflix at no extra cost to subscribers, potentially breaking viewership records for the sport.
The fight, scheduled for 12 rounds, promises an electrifying atmosphere. With an expected crowd of around 71,835, it's poised to dwarf previous Las Vegas boxing attendance records. The main event is slated for after 11 pm ET (4 am BST), following a stacked undercard beginning at 9 pm ET (2 am BST). Canelo's WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles are on the line, adding even more weight to the stakes.
This isn't just a fight; it's a spectacle. The event boasts a custom-made Ring magazine belt worth $188,000, the ornate WBC Nahui Huey Altepemeh commemorative belt, and a luxurious 'Crown Series' championship ring. Ticket prices reflected the high stakes, ranging from approximately $400 to several thousand dollars for premium seats. Luxury packages even included VIP access to weigh-in and post-fight events.
Netflix's involvement marks a turning point for boxing. This is the first fight of this magnitude to be streamed globally on the platform at no additional cost. With commentary in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German, Netflix aims to capture a massive audience, including casual fans who might not typically purchase a pay-per-view event.
The strategic move by Netflix signals a broader trend in the media landscape, with live sports proving remarkably resilient against falling TV ratings. Netflix's aggressive push into live sports, following their ventures into golf and tennis, underscores their recognition of the platform's power for subscription growth and global buzz. With over 280 million subscribers, the potential reach of Canelo vs. Crawford on Netflix is unparalleled.
Behind the scenes, Saudi advisor Turki al-Sheikh played a pivotal role in bringing this fight to fruition. His involvement underscores the evolving economics of boxing, with Saudi backing significantly shaping the landscape. Al-Sheikh's efforts, along with a partnership with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, secured the Las Vegas venue and created a multi-day festival around the fight, coinciding with Mexican Independence Day.
While both Alvarez and Crawford are already Hall of Fame-worthy, this isn't a legacy-defining fight as much as a legacy-enhancing one. Alvarez, a four-division champion, aims to silence critics who claim he avoids tough opponents. For Crawford, it's a chance to become a three-division undisputed champion, a feat never achieved by a male boxer in the four-belt era.
The fight itself is a standard 12-round bout under the Nevada Athletic Commission's rules. The main concern is the significant weight difference, with Crawford moving up multiple weight classes. Despite this, both fighters boast impressive records, neither having ever been knocked down in their extensive careers. While Canelo is the betting favorite, Crawford's adaptability and finishing power make him a dangerous challenger, promising a fight that will be remembered for years to come. The fight is expected to earn Canelo around $150 million, with Crawford receiving a significant sum of his own. The undercard will be available on Tudum prior to the Netflix broadcast.
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Originally published at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/12/watch-canelo-alvarez-v-terence-crawford-netflix
