The match is backed by Turki Alalshikh of Saudi Arabia and will offer a staggering total purse of $200 million. Canelo Alvarez is guaranteed $150 million, while Crawford will take home $50 million. These figures make it one of the most financially significant bouts in boxing history.
Allegiant Stadium, with a capacity of over 60,000 spectators, will host the event. The venue choice reflects the enormous interest in this clash of champions.
Canelo Alvarez enters the ring as the current holder of the WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles. He aims to reinforce his dominance at 168 pounds and cement his position among boxing's all-time greats.
Crawford, a two-division undisputed champion, faces a significant challenge. He's moving up two weight classes to super middleweight for this fight. If successful, Crawford could become the first male boxer to hold undisputed titles in three weight categories.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season and General Entertainment Authority, led by Turki Alalshikh, has transformed the economics of elite-level boxing. Their vision is to position Saudi Arabia as a new epicenter for combat sports. This follows their previous involvement in the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou match.
For Canelo, this fight is part of a four-fight deal under the Riyadh Season banner. If successful, he could become the highest-paid boxer in a single fight, surpassing even Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s previous record. There's even talk that Canelo could become the first boxer with a $1 billion net worth by 2026.
The match demonstrates the growing influence of Saudi investment in boxing and may become one of the sport's most defining moments. As the fight date approaches, fans around the world will watch with bated breath to see who comes out on top in this clash of titans.