The Mexican Independence Day weekend has always been one of the sacred battlefield of Boxing. Julio César Chávez, Oscar de la Hoya, Floyd Mayweather – Everyone used the holidays to sement their names. Now it is again the turn of Canelo Alvarez, which carries Mexico’s flag to Las Vegas for another stadium size spectacle.
This time the opponent is not a faded name or a local competitor. It is Terence “Bud” Crawford – 41 wins, no defeats and a willingness to chase the danger of lightweight to the super -middle weight. Saturday night in the Allegiant Stadium, Live on Netflix (21:00 ET), Canelo places every belt on the line against the former two -prize unquestioned king. Two pounds-by-pound elite that one ring part-cell territory in the broken boxing world of today.
Why Crawford, not benavidez?
The truth is cold: Options got thin, and Saudi money drowned merit. After his failed 2022 venture against Dmitry Bivol, the recent Canelo track felt more like risk management than conquest-who beat an almost retirement Golovkin, classified a smaller Jermell Charlo and walked through Ryder, Munguia, Berlanga and SCULL.
Fans claimed benavidez. Instead, Alalshikh hung a $ 400 million Riyadh season agreement of $ 400 million. Suddenly, Crawford, once discharged as “too small”, became viable. Canelo himself admitted: “If the money is right, why not at this moment in my career.”
Can Crawford handle the leap?
Crawford does not test the waters. He is directly from the dismantling of Errol Spence on 147 and is the Israel Madrimov at 154 to stare at 168 champion.
He once admitted that Canelo was never on his radar due to the size of gap. But legacy comforts comfort. He could have defended against Jaron Ennis or cleaned junior middleweight. Instead, he chose the larger price: a chance to become the first man of the four-belt era with undisputed reins in three divisions.
The risk is Savage. Losing, and it’s not just the “0” that is gone-it’s his aura as a top-three-pound-for-pound warrior.
Chance, styles and the chess gameE
According to ESPN, bookmakers have Lean Canelo on -175 with Crawford +140. The great prejudice is baked. Alvarez has not been an underdog since his second fight with Golovkin.
None of man throws volume. Expected measured exchanges. Canelo’s plan: Apply steady pressure, forcing exchange on its conditions, leaning that frame of 168 pounds in each clinic. Crawford’s answer: Turns out views, uses corners, mistakes and lets speed be his armor.
Canelo struggles as he chases. Crawford suffers when he is in the corner. Those who control the geography control the struggle.
How can it unfold?
Don’t expect a slugfest. Canelo will slow down the pace, keep things in the middle of the series and lean heavily in the clinic. Crawford will try to frustrate with movement, choose his places and punish overreaction.
As Canelo Coasts, Crawford has the tools to punish him. If Crawford hesitates against the ropes, Canelo will grind him. Either way, the scorecards can get messy.
Is this box’s biggest night since Mayweather-Pacquiao?
Not commercial. Mayweather-Pacquiao in 2015 still arranges 4.6 million purchases, and Mayweather-McGregor has moved even more casual people. But inside the ring? It can deliver more. Pacquiao was faded by 2015. McGregor was a tourist. Crawford is not either.
Attendance tells the story. Nearly 65,000 tickets sold, which doubled the old Vegas record of Holmes-Cooney in 1982. Add Netflix stream worldwide, and it can restore the sport’s distribution model.
What’s really at stake for pound-by-pound?
If Canelo wins, he sements himself at 168, but does not jump usyk or inoue. Having a smaller man will not crown him king.
If Crawford wins, history is rewritten. Three undisputed reign in three divisions. This has never been done. As Crawford put it: “My appetite for adversity is that drives me. That’s why I fought this battle.”
Undercard notes
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Christian Milli vs Lester Martinez – Both unbeaten, both punchers. Mbilli is the number 2 of ESPN at 168 and chases a title shot.
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Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas jr. – Walsh has UFC support by Dana White, Vargas jr. Wear a family name. Less about belts, more about bragging rights.
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Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin – Heavyweight fight that can hurry up.
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Plus use of Steven Nelson, Mohammed Alakel, Reitto Tsutsumi, Marco Verde Alvarez and Sultan Almohamed.
Stadium print: Benefit Canelo
Canelo has done this before -AT&T Stadium against Liam Smith, the Saunders fight in 2021, Ryder in Guadalajara. Tens of thousands do not stop him.
For Crawford, Allegiant will be his first stadium fight. The size, the noise, the spectacle – whether rattle or fueled, is unknown.
This fight is not just proud – it’s business. Netflix enters the PPV market. Alalshikh is reforming Boxing’s power base with Saudi support. Fighters like Canelo chase sovereign wealth over sanctions.
If this experiment works, expect more mega fights to be built on streaming giants and Saudi bank rolls.
My call – Crawford vs. Canelo
Canelo has avoided real danger lately. Crawford is looking for it.
If Canelo enforces discipline, he wins on points. But Crawford is the type to reap Scripture. He is smaller but sharper, hungry and willing to risk everything.
My lean: Crawford by close, controversial decision.
What time is the battle?
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Date: Saturday 13 September 2025
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Start time: 21:00 ET / 18:00 pt (Sunday 2 o’clock BST)
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Streaming: Live on Netflix
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Place: Allegiant stage, Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Fight Card on Netflix
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Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford – Undevised Super -Middelweight Championship
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Christian Milli vs. Lester Martinez – Super Middleheight
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Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas jr. – Junior middleweight
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Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin – Heavyweight
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Steven Nelson vs Raiko Santana – Light Heavy Weight
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Mohammed Alelel vs Travis Kent Crawford – Welterweight
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Reit Tsutsumi vs Javier Martinez – Bantam weight
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Marco Verde Alvarez vs Sona Acal – Lightweight
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Sultan Almohamed vs Martin Caraballo – Featherweight
Last updated on 09/08/2025
