Turki Alalshikh said today that Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford is such an enormous fight that they “don’t need an enormous fight on the undercard” for it to do well on September thirteenth. It’s the identical method that promoters have used for the mega-fights up to now involving stars of the past, especially ones where big purses were paid for the headliners.
Turki’s Undercard Vision
Alalshikh wants to make use of this chance for young talent to showcase themselves on the undercard for the Canelo-Crawford event on Netflix. The fighter’s manager would contact TKO Groups Holding, and a call could be made whether or not they could be added to the cardboard.
The undercard fights are designed to introduce latest talent. It’s not about 50-50 fights. It has a Dana White UFC-like feel to it. That’s what he’s done with the UFC, with one good fight within the essential event, and undercards with showcase fights for up-and-coming fighters.
White is promoting the Canelo-Crawford event. So, it’s comprehensible why the undercard is using the identical model that he’s employed for years on the UFC. Some fans may like that approach while others may not. Those that have grown accustomed to seeing competitive fights on undercards is probably not glad with Dana’s approach.
With the event being shown on Netflix, non-boxing fans will make up the difference from the standard ones, who won’t be enthusiastic about purchasing an event with an undercard stuffed with little-known prospects.
Is Canelo-Crawford Boxing’s Biggest?
It also comes right down to how much fans value the Canelo vs. Crawford. Turki refers back to the fight as “the largest fight in boxing” in “the last 10 years,” but many individuals disagree. This fight is just not seen as the largest.
It’s two older fighters nearing the ends of their careers, coming off terrible performances against William Scull and Israil Madrimov. Crawford has been fighting only yearly since 2020, and he’s never been a draw during his profession. He’s arguably less popular than fighters like Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez.
Although Crawford has captured world titles in 4 weight classes, his resume is mediocre, stuffed with fringe-level and old dinosaurs. He waited too long to maneuver as much as 154 and fought mid-level fighters at 147. He beat a automotive crash-wrecked Errol Spence and a past his prime Shawn Porter at welterweight, but fled the division when he had Jaron Ennis wanting a world title shot.
Crawford’s profession mirrors that of Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner, who also captured 4 division titles and fought lesser opposition like Bud to capture his belts. It’s unclear how long Alalshikh has been a fan of boxing. If he’s been an off-the-cuff fan up until now, it is smart why he’s so enamored with Crawford.
He sees what many naive, casual fans do when they appear at Crawford’s credentials. ‘Oh gee, he’s won world titles in 4 weight classes. He should be great.‘ What they don’t see is that Crawford fought second-level fighters to capture those belts and to create his 41-0 record. Again, you’ve gotten to be a hardcore fan to see that Crawford has a weak, plastic record and that he’s false gold. It’s smoke and mirrors with Bud.
Alalshikh’s Crawford Fight Alternative
Turki likes Crawford. So, that’s why he’s fighting Canelo. It’s his preference. Normally, promoters put together fights between fighters that they know the boxing public is desirous to see. On this case, this can be a fight that Turki likes and never the general public.
While you’ve got the cash to place strange fights together, you may do anything. We saw Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury each fight former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou. It was a complete oddity. Now this. Canelo fighting Crawford.
They’re not able to beating the highest fighters of their weight classes and are only keeping their careers together through artificial means, reminiscent of careful matchmaking and avoiding the damaging opposition that will defeat them.
For instance, Canelo won’t fight David Benavidez or David Morrell. For his part, Crawford has chosen to not fight Bakhram Muratazaliev, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Sebastian Fundora. We all know what the top results of Crawford fighting those three fighters. They’d expose him. Those are fighters once you fight once you’re young and energetic, not old, on the lookout for retirement money.
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“That is the largest fight in boxing and in history within the last 10 years and possibly more,” said Turki Alalshikh to the media, talking concerning the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford contest on September thirteenth. “It is a really great opportunity for the talent in boxing. We’ll make all of the undercard about talent, because we’ve got the largest fight.
“We don’t need an enormous fight on the undercard. For that, we’ll give the prospect for the talent. For those who think you’re able to be on the undercard for Canelo-Crawford, come talk with us and possibly, you’ll have a probability,” said Turki.
Last Updated on 06/10/2025
