Turki Bosses Bud Crawford Around Ahead of Canelo Fight: “Deliver the Job”

Turki Alalshikh didn’t just show face in Vegas — he walked straight into the UFC Performance Institute like he owned it. Terence “Bud” Crawford was mid-session, working pads and strength drills, when the Saudi chief cut through the gym.

The clip, streamed online, shows it plain: Alalshikh barked at Crawford mid-workout, telling him to “deliver the job.” Not encouragement — orders. Crawford, usually quick to speak his mind, just nodded and kept moving.

When money talks, does the fighter listen?

This isn’t promoter hype. This is a boss dictating terms. Alalshikh told Crawford he’s not finished, that he better win, and that retirement isn’t an option.

Fans online jumped on it. “Turki’s acting like Crawford works for him,” one wrote. Another added, “Bud’s nodding like he’s punching in for a shift.”

Without Alalshikh’s wallet, there’s no Netflix stage, no super middleweight leap, no Canelo shot.

Unbeaten Inside, Controlled Outside: Crawford in Saudi’s Grip

Crawford’s spotless at 41-0 with 31 KOs, but that’s at 147. Now he’s jumping two divisions into Canelo Alvarez’s world. Canelo’s 63-2-2 with 39 KOs and has ruled 168 without a scratch.

Crawford once said, “I fight for history, not money.” Yet here he is, taking orders from the man signing the checks. If he pulls it off, he’s a four-division champion. If he fails, he might retire with Alalshikh still barking for more.

Crawford is used to being his own man, calling his own shots. That Vegas gym scene flipped the script: Turki Alalshikh showed that he’s the one in charge. By telling Crawford “deliver the job” and brushing aside retirement talk, Alalshikh put himself in the role of boss, not just backer.

For Crawford, the trade-off is clear. He gets the biggest fight of his career, a chance to shock the world at 168 and lock in his place among the greats. But it comes at a cost — control. If he wins, he’ll be remembered as one of boxing’s finest. If he loses, some will say he cashed in and let Saudi money dictate his final chapter.