Alvarez sets up Crawford fight with Saudi deal

Mexican boxing icon Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez has signed a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, setting the stage for a blockbuster bout against American Terence Crawford in September.

The 34-year-old Alvarez will make his Saudi debut in May before taking on Crawford in September, followed by two additional bouts in 2026 under Saudi Arabia's organization.

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, confirmed the agreement on Thursday, posting on X: "The deal is done." Alvarez responded enthusiastically, writing: "Let's go, brother."

Negotiations for the Alvarez-Crawford super-fight seemed to have collapsed earlier on Thursday. Reports suggested Alvarez was instead considering a separate deal to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in May. However, after renewed discussions with Alalshikh, Alvarez reversed course, agreeing to the Saudi-backed deal.

Crawford, 34, is the first boxer to achieve undisputed status in two weight classes. Currently the WBA light-middleweight champion, Crawford boasts an undefeated record of 41 wins but will face a significant challenge against the heavier Alvarez, who has claimed 62 victories in 66 professional bouts and holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO super-middleweight titles.

Analysis: A Fight That Almost Didn't Happen

The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind, with on-again, off-again negotiations and even rumors of Alvarez fighting Jake Paul. But now, the long-awaited Alvarez-Crawford fight appears set, creating enormous buzz in the boxing world.

While Saudi Arabia's influence on boxing continues to grow, Alvarez had previously resisted their offers. Now, his matchup with Crawford is poised to dominate headlines for months, cementing its place as one of the most highly anticipated bouts in recent memory.

Both fighters are seasoned champions and generational talents. Crawford’s undefeated record adds intrigue, but the weight disparity looms large. Alvarez has fought as high as light-heavyweight, while Crawford will move up two weight classes for the fight.

Before facing Crawford, Alvarez is expected to fight IBF champion William Scull in May. A victory could make Alvarez the undisputed super-middleweight champion once again. Meanwhile, Crawford has the chance to secure a legacy-defining moment by becoming a three-weight undisputed champion if he defeats Alvarez.

Reports suggest the Alvarez-Crawford bout might headline a Saudi-organized card in Las Vegas on September 13. This dramatic turn of events is a far cry from the reaction that would have greeted a rumored Alvarez-Paul fight, which was reportedly set to stream on Netflix. Paul, in his most recent outing, outpointed a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, a fight far removed from the magnitude of Alvarez vs. Crawford.