Mexican Independence Day weekend has always been one of boxing’s sacred battlegrounds. Julio César Chávez, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather — all used the holiday to cement their names. Now it’s Canelo Alvarez’s turn again, carrying Mexico’s flag into Las Vegas for another stadium-sized spectacle.
This time the opponent isn’t a faded name or a local rival. It’s Terence “Bud” Crawford — 41 wins, no defeats, and a willingness to chase danger from lightweight all the way to super middleweight. On Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium, live on Netflix (9 p.m. ET), Canelo puts every belt at 168 on the line against the former two-division undisputed king. Two pound-for-pound elites sharing one ring — rare territory in today’s fractured boxing world.
Why Crawford, Not Benavidez?
The truth is cold: options ran thin, and Saudi money drowned out merit. After his failed 2022 gamble against Dmitry Bivol, Canelo’s recent run has felt more like risk management than conquest — beating a near-retirement Golovkin, outclassing a smaller Jermell Charlo, and walking through Ryder, Munguia, Berlanga, and Scull.
Fans demanded Benavidez. Instead, Alalshikh dangled a four-fight, $400 million Riyadh Season deal. Suddenly Crawford, once dismissed as “too small,” became viable. Canelo admitted it himself: “If the money’s right, why not in this moment in my career.”
Can Crawford Handle the Jump?
Crawford isn’t testing the waters. He’s gone straight from dismantling Errol Spence at 147 and edging Israil Madrimov at 154 to staring down the champion at 168.
He once admitted Canelo was never on his radar because of the size gap. But legacy trumps comfort. He could have defended against Jaron Ennis or cleaned out junior middleweight. Instead, he chose the bigger prize: a chance to become the first man of the four-belt era with undisputed reigns in three divisions.
The risk is savage. Lose, and it’s not just the “0” that’s gone — it’s his aura as a top-three pound-for-pound fighter.
Odds, Styles, and the Chess Game
According to ESPN, bookmakers lean Canelo at -175, with Crawford +140. The size bias is baked in. Alvarez hasn’t been an underdog since his second fight with Golovkin.
Neither man throws in volume. Expect measured exchanges. Canelo’s plan: apply steady pressure, force exchanges on his terms, lean that 168-pound frame into every clinch. Crawford’s answer: switch stances, use angles, counter off mistakes, and let speed be his armor.
Canelo struggles when chasing. Crawford suffers if cornered. Whoever controls geography controls the fight.
How Might It Unfold?
Don’t expect a slugfest. Canelo will look to slow the tempo, keep things at mid-range, and lean heavy in the clinches. Crawford will try to frustrate with movement, pick his spots, and punish overreaches.
If Canelo coasts, Crawford has the tools to punish him. If Crawford hesitates against the ropes, Canelo will grind him down. Either way, the scorecards could get messy.
Is This Boxing’s Biggest Night Since Mayweather-Pacquiao?
Not commercially. Mayweather-Pacquiao in 2015 still rules with 4.6 million buys, and Mayweather-McGregor pulled in even more casuals. But inside the ring? This could deliver more. Pacquiao was faded by 2015. McGregor was a tourist. Crawford is neither.
Attendance tells the story. Nearly 65,000 tickets sold, doubling the old Vegas record from Holmes-Cooney in 1982. Add Netflix streaming worldwide, and this could reset the sport’s distribution model.
What’s Really at Stake for Pound-for-Pound?
If Canelo wins, he cements himself at 168 but doesn’t leapfrog Usyk or Inoue. Beating a smaller man won’t crown him king.
If Crawford wins, history’s rewritten. Three undisputed reigns in three divisions. That’s never been done. As Crawford put it: “My appetite for adversity is what drives me. That’s why I took this fight.”
Undercard Notes
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Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez — Both unbeaten, both punchers. Mbilli is ESPN’s No. 2 at 168 and chasing a title shot.
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Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr. — Walsh has UFC backing through Dana White, Vargas Jr. carries a family name. Less about belts, more about bragging rights.
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Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin — Heavyweight battle that could shake up rankings.
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Plus appearances from Steven Nelson, Mohammed Alakel, Reito Tsutsumi, Marco Verde Alvarez, and Sultan Almohamed.
Stadium Pressure: Advantage Canelo
Canelo has done this before — AT&T Stadium against Liam Smith, the Saunders fight in 2021, Ryder in Guadalajara. Tens of thousands don’t faze him.
For Crawford, Allegiant will be his first stadium fight. The size, the noise, the spectacle — whether it rattles or fuels him is an unknown.
This fight isn’t just pride — it’s business. Netflix is entering the PPV market. Alalshikh is reshaping boxing’s power base with Saudi backing. Fighters like Canelo are chasing sovereign wealth over sanctioning bodies.
If this experiment works, expect more mega-fights built on streaming giants and Saudi bankrolls.
My Call – Crawford vs. Canelo
Canelo has avoided real danger lately. Crawford seeks it.
If Canelo enforces discipline, he wins on points. But Crawford is the type to rip up the script. He’s smaller, but sharper, hungrier, and willing to risk everything.
My lean: Crawford by close, controversial decision.
What time Is The Fight?
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Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Start Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (Sunday 2 a.m. BST)
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Streaming: Live on Netflix
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Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Fight Card On Netflix
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Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford – Undisputed super middleweight championship
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Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez – Super middleweight
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Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr. – Junior middleweight
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Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin – Heavyweight
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Steven Nelson vs Raiko Santana – Light heavyweight
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Mohammed Alakel vs Travis Kent Crawford – Welterweight
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Reito Tsutsumi vs Javier Martinez – Bantamweight
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Marco Verde Alvarez vs Sona Akale – Lightweight
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Sultan Almohamed vs Martin Caraballo – Featherweight
Last Updated on 09/08/2025
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