Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are getting ready for a big fight. The two champions will face off on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. All 65,000 seats have sold out for this legacy-defining match.
Canelo, the undisputed super middleweight champion with a record of 63-2-2 and 39 KOs, will defend his titles. Crawford, undefeated at 41-0 with 31 KOs, is moving up two weight classes for this challenge.
The fight has generated a lot of buzz. It's set to be the third-highest-grossing boxing gate ever. Canelo, the face of Mexican boxing, wants to protect his legacy after a loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022. Crawford, a skilled fighter from Omaha, aims to prove he can be great across different weight classes.
Betting odds slightly favor Canelo at -160, while Crawford is at +145. The matchup pits Canelo's size and power against Crawford's adaptability and fight IQ.
"I want Crawford to win, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen," Mike Tyson said, acknowledging the potential for an upset.
Other experts have weighed in too. Amir Khan thinks Crawford's fresher legs and slick boxing give him an edge. Tyson Fury believes the size difference at 168 pounds favors Canelo. Eddie Hearn suggests Crawford might need to fight "a boring fight" to win.
The undercard features some exciting matchups. Callum Walsh will face Fernando Vargas Jr. in the co-main event. Christian Mbilli and Lester Martinez will battle for the interim WBC super middleweight title. Both fighters are unbeaten and have never been knocked down in their careers.
Earlier fights saw some impressive performances. Mohammed Alakel, just 17 years old, controlled his lightweight bout against Travis Crawford with jabs and movement. Ivan Dychko narrowly beat Jermaine Franklin Jr. in a heavyweight clash that drew boos for excessive clinching.
The event has attracted celebrities too. Sofía Vergara visited Canelo backstage, while Tracy Morgan entertained the crowd from ringside. MrBeast, the YouTube star, even took a playful body shot from Mike Tyson in the stands.
Financially, this fight is huge for Canelo. He's guaranteed over $100 million, making it the biggest single payday for a Mexican athlete. It's part of a four-fight deal for the champion.
Netflix will broadcast the fight, continuing their experiment with live sports after the Paul vs. Tyson event in 2024. They're aiming to prove boxing can stand alongside major sports leagues in the digital space.
The atmosphere at Allegiant Stadium is electric. The crowd is heavily pro-Canelo, cheering loudly for their hero. Crawford, on the other hand, was booed during his entrance.
As the fighters make their final preparations, fans around the world are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable night of boxing.
