The atmosphere promises to be electric, with the buzz of the Las Vegas Strip adding to the excitement. Canelo, the defending undisputed super middleweight champion, brings his 63-2-2 record with 39 knockouts to the ring. He's fighting to protect his empire and cement his legacy as the face of Mexican boxing.
Crawford, on the other hand, comes in with a perfect 41-0 record and 31 KOs. He's moving up two weight divisions to prove his genius across multiple weight classes. His slick adaptability and sharp fight IQ will be put to the test against Canelo's size, power, and relentless pressure.
The betting odds are close, with BetMGM listing Canelo as a slight favorite at -160, while Crawford sits at +145.
The undercard features some exciting matchups, including a co-main event between Callum Walsh and Fernando Vargas Jr. Christian Mbilli will take on Lester Martinez, and prospects Serhii Bohachuk and Ivan Dychko will also be in action.
The preliminary bouts have already set the tone for an action-packed night. Reito Tsutsumi scored a first-round TKO over Javier Martinez, targeting the body and mixing in head shots. Seventeen-year-old Sultan Almohammed showcased heavy hands in a unanimous decision win over Martin Caraballo.
Raiko Santana made quick work of Steven Nelson with a first-round TKO, landing a straight right and following up with a flurry that left Nelson staggered. Olympic silver medalist Marco Verde dominated Sona Akale, dropping him in the first round before the referee stopped the fight in the fourth.
This fight comes at a crucial time for both men. Canelo, now in his mid-to-late thirties, is looking to bounce back after being outboxed by Dmitry Bivol in 2022. Crawford, fresh off unifying the welterweight division, aims to add his name to the list of multi-division greats like Sugar Ray Leonard and Roy Jones Jr.
Opinions on the fight are split among experts. Amir Khan favors Crawford, citing his fresher legs and slick boxing. Tyson Fury leans towards Canelo due to the size difference at 168 lbs. Eddie Hearn believes Crawford can win with discipline but might need to fight "a boring fight." Abel Sanchez thinks Canelo's relentless pressure will take its toll over 12 rounds.
"I have faith in Crawford," said Dmitry Bivol, who noted that Crawford looked "physically imposing" and stronger than expected.
The financial stakes are high for this bout. Canelo is guaranteed over $100 million as part of a four-fight deal, making it the biggest single payday ever promised to a Mexican athlete, according to Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh.
The fight will be broadcast on Netflix, continuing the streaming platform's experiment with boxing after the Paul vs. Tyson event in 2024. This move aims to prove that boxing belongs in the same digital space as the NFL, NBA, and Formula 1.
As fight night approaches, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how this clash of styles and legacies will play out in the ring.