Boxing fans, brace yourselves: the long-awaited showdown between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Terence "Bud" Crawford is finally upon us, and the anticipation is reaching fever pitch. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas—affectionately known as ‘The Death Star’—will play host to what’s already being dubbed as "The Fight of the Century." With 65,000 fans expected to pack the stadium and millions more tuning in worldwide, this is a clash that transcends mere titles and statistics.
At stake: the undisputed super middleweight championship, a legacy-defining moment, and, for the victor, a post-fight financial bonus that has the boxing world buzzing. The event, promoted by Zuffa, Sela, and Riyadh Season, will be streamed live and exclusively on Netflix, marking yet another milestone for the streaming giant after its record-breaking Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson broadcast in 2024.
Canelo Alvarez enters the ring as the reigning, two-time undisputed champion at 168 lbs. With a formidable record of 63 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws—including 39 knockouts—Canelo is the betting favorite. He’s defending all the belts at super middleweight for the first time in his second reign, having recently reclaimed the IBF title from William Scull in Riyadh this past May. That victory set the stage for this mammoth showdown, one that many thought would never materialize.
But standing across from him will be Terence "Bud" Crawford, the undefeated American sensation. Already an undisputed champion at both super-lightweight and welterweight, Crawford boasts a perfect 41-0 record with 31 knockouts and world titles in four different divisions. Now, he’s making a bold leap up three weight classes—having fought only once above 147 lbs—to challenge the Mexican superstar for his super middleweight crown. If Crawford wins, he’ll make history as a three-division undisputed champion and a four-division lineal champion, a feat unmatched in the annals of modern boxing.
"We will not have [a fighter who is running] anymore [on our shows], this is the first thing," said Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh, who’s backing the event and confirmed a lucrative knockout bonus for the main event victor. "The second [thing], we will have in [Alvarez vs. Crawford] and [future] fights, bonuses for KOs." According to The Ring, this incentive is designed to encourage fireworks in the ring and ensure that fans get the action they crave.
For Canelo, however, claiming that bonus is no easy task. The Mexican icon has gone the distance in each of his last six super middleweight wins, with his last stoppage coming in 2021 against Caleb Plant at the MGM Grand—an 11th-round knockout that crowned him undisputed champion for the first time at 168 lbs. Since then, he’s racked up decision victories, leading some to question whether age and wear are finally catching up. Still, Canelo remains a relentless, methodical force, and few would dare write him off.
Crawford, for his part, saw his own streak of 11 consecutive knockouts snapped in his most recent outing—a points win over Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles last summer that earned him the WBA light-middleweight title. The Omaha, Nebraska native is known for his supreme technical skills and ring IQ, but questions linger about how he’ll handle the jump in weight and whether he can carry his power up to super middleweight. Despite being the smaller man, Crawford actually stands slightly taller than Canelo and enjoys a reach advantage, but he’s only fought once above welterweight and has just one bout since July 2023.
The fight week festivities are just as jam-packed as the main event itself. Grand arrivals will kick off the week on September 9 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, followed by open workouts on September 10 at the BleauLive Theater. The press conference and first Underdog fight card are set for September 11, with the ceremonial weigh-in scheduled for September 12 at T-Mobile Arena. The undercard is stacked, featuring a mix of rising prospects and established contenders. Among the highlights: unbeaten Irishman Callum Walsh faces Fernando Vargas Jr. in the co-main event at super welterweight, while Christian Mbilli defends his interim WBC super middleweight title against Lester Martinez. Saudi prospect Mohammed Alakel takes on John Ornelas at lightweight, and the likes of Serhii Bohachuk, Jermaine Franklin, Ivan Dychko, and Reito Tsutsumi round out the extended bill. British flyweight Mikie Tallon, a name to watch, faces Christian Robles in what promises to be his toughest test yet.
For those looking to catch all the action, Netflix will stream the event live and exclusively to its 300 million-plus subscribers at no additional charge. Coverage kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on September 13, with the main undercard set to begin at 8 p.m. ET and main event ring walks expected around 11 p.m. ET. This unique broadcast partnership, forged between Netflix, TKO Group Holdings (UFC’s parent company), Turki Alalshikh, and Sela, signals a new era for major boxing events—and fans are reaping the benefits.
The odds makers have installed Canelo as the favorite (8/15 to win), but Crawford’s odds (6/4) reflect the respect he commands. A draw sits at 14/1, while Canelo is 11/10 to win on points or by decision and 7/2 to win by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification. Crawford, meanwhile, is 2/1 to win on points and 9/1 to win inside the distance. As always, odds are subject to change as fight night approaches.
Beyond the glitz and glamour, this fight is about legacy. Can Canelo cement his place among the all-time greats with another dominant performance, or will Crawford defy the odds and etch his name in history as a three-division undisputed king? With both men chasing not just victory but immortality, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
So, as the boxing world turns its gaze to Las Vegas and the anticipation builds to a crescendo, one thing is certain: whether it ends in a dazzling knockout or a tactical masterclass, Canelo vs. Crawford is a moment fans will remember for years to come. The countdown is on, the stage is set, and soon, the world will witness history in the making.
