On Saturday evening at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will step into the ring towards Terence Crawford in one of the audacious and profitable fights in latest boxing historical past. The bout, staged on Mexican Independence Day weekend and streamed worldwide on Netflix, pits the undisputed tremendous middleweight champion towards an undefeated challenger shifting up a number of weight courses at almost 38 years outdated.
Past the spectacle and the excessive stakes, the combat ensures one factor above all else: Canelo Alvarez will stroll away with a minimum of $100 million, making it one of many richest paydays within the sport’s historical past.
Experiences all through the summer season urged Canelo’s purse would land someplace between $100 million and $150 million. UFC CEO Dana White, who’s selling the occasion alongside Saudi energy dealer Turki Alalshikh beneath the Zuffa Boxing banner, all however confirmed that quantity throughout combat week. When pressed if Alvarez would clear $100 million, White answered merely: “In all probability.”
That determine cements Alvarez’s place as boxing’s unmatched field workplace attraction. It additionally underscores the size of the occasion, which White expects to generate the third-highest stay gate in boxing historical past, trailing solely “Mayweather–Pacquiao” and “Mayweather–McGregor,” however setting a brand new file for the biggest stadium gate ever.
Canelo’s Empire
Canelo Alvarez has been boxing’s largest star for greater than a decade, and his profession earnings have already exceeded half a billion {dollars}. At 35, he has collected titles throughout 4 divisions, headlined in arenas around the globe, and maintained a pay-per-view draw unmatched within the sport. His position because the “A-side” extends past the ring: Mexican Independence Day weekend has primarily turn out to be Canelo’s vacation, his fanbase is rabidly loyal, and his fights reliably ship blockbuster revenues.
Saturday evening continues that development. Even within the rarefied air of nine-figure purses, Alvarez’s assured minimal payout marks one other historic milestone, placing him in the identical breath as Floyd Mayweather, who has earned $100 million-plus a number of occasions. For Canelo, the combat isn’t just one other payday however one other reminder of his unmatched financial energy in boxing.
(Picture by Jeff Bottari/TKO Worldwide LLC by way of Getty Photos)
Crawford’s Gamble
On the opposite aspect of the ring is Terence “Bud” Crawford, one of the technically gifted fighters of his era and already an undisputed champion at each 140 and 147 kilos. By taking over Canelo at 168, Crawford is chasing historical past. A win would make him the primary male boxer ever to attain undisputed standing in three weight courses. It’s the sort of legacy-defining feat that transcends cash.
Not less than, that is what Crawford says. On a podcast look main as much as the combat, he claimed his purse was simply $10 million. “I am doing it for the chance, child. The legacy outweighs the cash,” he stated. However Crawford has additionally been candid previously that boxing is all the time concerning the cash on the finish of the day. “As soon as you work that out, you understand it is all the time been concerning the cash,” he advised CBS Sports activities forward of his 2023 showdown with Errol Spence Jr.
The reality might be someplace in between. Crawford might be downplaying his payday, however in comparison with Alvarez’s huge haul, the hole is plain. Nonetheless, for a fighter who has lengthy complained about being prevented by prime opponents, the prospect to face Alvarez is price greater than any greenback determine.
How the Combat Was Made
The unlikely matchup traces again to a gathering greater than a yr in the past. After shifting as much as 154 kilos and successful a slim determination, Crawford made it clear to Turki Alalshikh — the Saudi adviser whose billions have reshaped boxing’s panorama — that the one combat he wished was Canelo.
Alalshikh initially pushed again, suggesting extra lifelike choices like Vergil Ortiz Jr. or Jaron “Boots” Ennis. However Crawford would not budge. “That is the one combat I need,” he insisted. Alalshikh relented and started working to make it occur.
Canelo, for his half, did not want a lot convincing as soon as the $100 million-plus assure was on the desk. The economics of the combat, mixed with the timing and the Saudi and Netflix backing, made it an irresistible deal. As Alalshikh stated throughout combat week, the provide was “greater than that,” hinting that Canelo’s closing tally may exceed even the already staggering $100 million ground.
Boxing’s Greatest Paydays
To know simply how huge Canelo’s assure is, it helps to see it within the context of historical past’s richest fights:
- Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor (2017): Mayweather assured $100 million, McGregor assured $30 million. Mayweather reportedly earned round $280 million whole, McGregor about $130 million.
- Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao (2015): Mayweather assured $180 million, Pacquiao $120 million, with whole revenues close to $300 million.
- Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez (2013): Mayweather’s assure was $41.5 million, Canelo about $5 million.
- Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero (2013): Mayweather assured $32 million, Guerrero roughly $3 million.
Canelo’s $100 million minimal assure towards Crawford immediately locations him alongside Mayweather’s historic super-fight hauls. Few fighters in historical past have reached that tier, and virtually all of them contain Floyd Mayweather on the prime of his incomes powers. For Alvarez, becoming a member of that membership underscores each his world attraction and his enduring monetary would possibly within the sport.
What’s at Stake
For Canelo, Saturday represents one other chapter in a profession already crammed with riches, titles, and accolades. He stays the game’s final prizefight — the jackpot each fighter chases. Win or lose, his empire grows.
For Crawford, the stakes are existential. He has stalked Canelo for years, attending his fights, finding out his type, and imagining the second once they would lastly meet. He has made clear he doesn’t wish to merely survive, as many previous Canelo opponents have completed. He desires to win, decisively, and in doing so declare the respect he feels has too typically eluded him.
Legacy and cash typically collide in boxing, however hardly ever with this a lot readability. On one aspect is Canelo Alvarez, assured to make not less than $100 million. On the opposite is Terence Crawford, risking every little thing for the prospect to etch his title in historical past. Collectively, they’re going to ship one of many richest nights the game has ever seen.
