Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford met Fridaym June 20 in Saudi Arabia for a press conference to promote their megafight, scheduled for Sept. 13 in Las Vegas. But a Saudi powerbroker spoke first.
He is Turki Alalshikh (a.k.a. “His Excellency”), the central figure in Saudi Arabia becoming a big player in professional boxing as a deep-pocketed promoter.
“I hate Tom and Jerry’s kind of boxing,’ Alalshikh said, referring to the famous animated series as well as boxers who run from their opponents. ‘I am sure (Alvarez and Crawford) will deliver for me smashing face and blood and this is the boxing.’
Additionally, Alalshikh said, ‘We will have in this fight and our next fight’s a bonus for a KO.’
He did not provide specifics, but his message was clear. Alvarez and Crawford will be expected to deliver, despite recent history.
Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) is coming off a lackluster victory over William Scull by unanimous decision in May. The crowd booed as Scull spent most of the fight running from Alvarez, who exerted modest effort to chase down Scull. It also happened to be the first fight of Alvarez’s five-fight deal with the Saudis.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) has not fought since August 2024, and that was an unforgettable bout, too. He beat Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision. Like Alvarez, he heard boos during a fight that included no knockdowns.
Alalshikh suggested he didn’t want a 12-by-12 ring to ensure adequate action for the fight. But apparently he thought it would be a good idea to have dinner with Alvarez and Crawford before the press conference.
“We talked yesterday and they are professional,’’ Alalshikh said later in the press conference. “But I think starting from last night they know what they need to do.’
Do Alvarez, Crawford get it?
Neither Alvarez or Crawford sounded as if Alalshikh’s words will have great impact when they fight at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, for the undisputed super middleweight championship.
Crawford, 37, is moving up two weight classes (14 pounds) to fight Alvarez at super middleweight. His standing toe-to-toe with Alvarez would enthrall the fans and perhaps create the fight that Alalshikh wants. But don’t count on it.
“I’m not going to let somebody else force or tell me how to fight,’’ Crawford said. “When I’ve been in fighting my whole life, I won’t be running. I could tell you that, but I will be doing a lot of touching.’’
In defense of Crawford, before the fight against Madrimov, he’d won 11 straight fights by knockout.
Alvarez, 34, suggested his fight would be one for the history books. But it’s worth revisiting recent history – his fight against Scull. It was a dreadful fight.
“…but we win,’’ Alvarez said. “That’s all that matters.’’
If Alvarez had been listening, at the dinner or at the press conference, he’d know that’s not all that matters to Alalshikh – or, largely speaking, boxing fans.
Alvarez’s next knockout will be his first since 2021 – when he finished Caleb Plant with an 11th-round TKO.
Maybe it’s something “His Excellency’’ will address during another dinner with Alvarez and Crawford.
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