Turki Alalshikh Elevates the Canelo vs. Crawford Super Fight: Sela Takes on Riyadh Season 2025!

The blockbuster bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, already shaping up to be the biggest fight of 2025, has taken another major step forward. Turki Alalshikh, the influential figure behind Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, has officially announced that the highly anticipated super middleweight clash will be promoted by Sela, a leading entertainment company in the Kingdom.

In a post made to X (formerly Twitter), Alalshikh also confirmed a new date for the fight: Saturday, September 13, shifting one day later than originally planned. With only the broadcast partner and venue left undecided, excitement continues to grow for what many are calling a historic showdown in the sport of boxing.

A Massive Step Up for Terence Crawford

Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, will face a monumental task when he steps into the ring to challenge Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) for the undisputed super middleweight titles.

Crawford, the reigning WBA junior middleweight champion, will be jumping up two full weight classes to 168 pounds for this fight. That leap—from 154 to 168—makes this challenge even more remarkable. He’s not just fighting a naturally larger man, he’s facing a future Hall of Famer who has dominated multiple weight divisions for over a decade.

This fight isn’t just a championship bout—it’s a legacy-defining clash for both men.

Sela Takes Over Promotion for Canelo vs. Crawford

Turki Alalshikh’s announcement that Sela will now be promoting the event marks a notable shift. Originally, the event was expected to be co-promoted by Alalshikh’s TKO Boxing and UFC President Dana White, who has been expanding into boxing promotion.

However, the responsibility now lies with Sela, a Saudi-based company known for organizing high-profile sporting events, concerts, and entertainment spectacles under the Riyadh Season umbrella. The promotion of such a monumental fight by a Saudi entity highlights the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in global combat sports.

“We have confirmed the promoter for Canelo vs. Crawford will be Sela for Riyadh Season. The broadcaster we have not decided yet but the date will be Saturday 13th September. More details soon.”
— Turki Alalshikh on X

This move further underscores Saudi Arabia’s aggressive campaign to position itself as a global hub for premier sporting events.

Fourth Riyadh Season Event Outside Saudi Arabia

Interestingly, this bout will serve as the fourth Riyadh Season boxing event staged outside of Saudi Arabia, reflecting a global expansion strategy for the ambitious initiative.

Here’s a look at the international Riyadh Season boxing timeline:

• August 2024: Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles – Crawford won the WBA 154-pound title.

• September 2024: Daniel Dubois vs. Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium – Dubois shocked the world with a 5th-round TKO.

• July 19, 2025: Dubois vs. Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight titles, also at Wembley.

• September 13, 2025: Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford – Location TBD.

Each of these events reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to taking Riyadh Season global, expanding beyond their borders to deliver premium content to international audiences.

Venue Decision Still Pending

While the new fight date of September 13 has been locked in, the venue for Canelo vs. Crawford remains undecided. Originally slated to be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a 65,000-seat venue and home of the NFL’s Raiders, the fight’s location is still in flux.

The Ring Magazine has revealed that three U.S. cities are in contention to host the event:

• Las Vegas, Nevada

• Los Angeles, California

• New York City, New York

Each city presents unique benefits:

• Las Vegas is the fight capital of the world and offers a proven infrastructure for hosting mega-events.

• Los Angeles provides strong market appeal and could attract a diverse boxing audience.

• New York City, with its iconic Madison Square Garden and massive media presence, could provide a dramatic stage for such a high-stakes fight.

A final decision is expected in the coming weeks.

No Netflix Deal: The Fight Will Be Traditional Pay-Per-View

Another key update from Alalshikh’s announcement is that Canelo vs. Crawford will not air on Netflix, despite recent forays by the streaming giant into live sports.

Instead, the bout will be available on traditional pay-per-view (PPV). This decision aligns with the magnitude of the event and the expectations for massive global buys. Given both fighters’ star power, this could become one of the highest-grossing PPVs in boxing history.

Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting details on which broadcaster will secure rights, with networks like DAZN, ESPN, and Showtime all expected to be in the running.

A Fight for the Ages: Canelo’s Titles and Crawford’s Legacy

This fight is about far more than belts and money—it’s about cementing legacies.

Canelo Alvarez, already a four-weight world champion, will put all of his super middleweight belts on the line—WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and The Ring. While his performance against William Scull in May left some questioning his current form, Canelo remains the man to beat at 168 pounds.

Meanwhile, Terence Crawford has already made history by becoming the first male boxer to become undisputed champion in two weight divisions. If he manages to dethrone Canelo, he would not only become undisputed at a third weight class but also solidify his claim as one of the greatest fighters of all time.

Why This Fight Matters to Boxing

In a sport often bogged down by politics, network feuds, and promotional barriers, Canelo vs. Crawford is a rare gift. Two of the best fighters in the world, both undisputed champions in recent years, are meeting in their primes for boxing supremacy.

The fight echoes legendary cross-division clashes like:

• Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler

• Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya

• Roy Jones Jr. vs. James Toney

This is not just a money fight. This is a bout that could define the current era of boxing—and possibly close the chapter for two of its brightest stars.

Canelo’s Last Dance?

Amid all the excitement, there’s also speculation about Canelo Alvarez’s potential retirement. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn recently suggested that the Crawford bout could be Canelo’s final fight, citing signs of physical decline in his recent performance.

“I think the fight with Crawford will be his last fight… actually, during the fight with Scull, I thought ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t fight Crawford.’”
— Eddie Hearn

If true, the significance of this fight only increases. This could be Canelo’s farewell, his final challenge before stepping away from the ring.

What Comes Next?

All eyes are now on the venue and broadcaster announcements, which are expected soon. As the pieces fall into place, the hype for September 13 continues to grow, and with good reason.

Whether you support Canelo’s brute power and experience or Crawford’s speed and technical brilliance, one thing is certain:

This is the fight of the year—perhaps the decade.