The Nevada State Athletic Commission unanimously approved the officiating team for the bout during their monthly agenda hearing at the state headquarters in Las Vegas on Thursday. Thomas Taylor will serve as the referee, earning a $25,000 fee for his role. The judges for the fight are Tim Cheatham from Nevada, Max DeLuca from New York via California, and Steve Weisfeld from New Jersey. Each judge will receive a $20,000 fee.
Canelo enters the ring as the reigning Super Middleweight Champion and The Ring Champion. He'll attempt his 10th defense of at least two super middleweight titles. This fight marks his 6th overall as undisputed champion, spanning two reigns.
Crawford moves up two weight divisions for this bout, aiming to cement his place among boxing's all-time greats. The matchup promises to be a clash of styles and legacies.
This officiating team last worked together on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. They oversaw the WBC Welterweight Title fight between Mario Barrios and Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a controversial majority draw. Many fans and experts felt Pacquiao deserved the win, which would have broken his own record as the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history.
The fight takes place at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders. The venue choice underscores the magnitude of this championship bout.
As fight night approaches, fans eagerly await to see if Canelo can defend his titles or if Crawford can pull off the upset and claim undisputed status in yet another weight class.