Turki Alalshikh reveals Canelo’s eyewatering pay for Terence Crawford clash and Saudi fights

Canelo’s bout with Crawford on Saturday is his second on a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia

Saudi boxing matchmaker Turki Alalshikh has suggested that Canelo Alvarez will make more than $100m as part of his deal with the Kingdom.

On Saturday (13 September), Canelo will defend his undisputed super-middleweight titles against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas, in one of the biggest fights of the century.

• Follow Canelo vs Crawford LIVE as boxing superstars clash in Las Vegas

The bout is Canelo’s second on a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia, with the Mexican having faced and beaten William Scull in May, and with two more contests set for 2026.

While it is unclear exactly how much Canelo will earn from the deal, or specifically for his super-fight against Crawford, the contract overall seems to be worth more than $100m.

At Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, a reporter asked how Canelo feels about being “the first Mexican sports figure with a guaranteed purse of at least $100m”.

However, Alalshikh cut in: “No, you get the number wrong. The contract between us and Canelo [is] more than that.”

It is unclear whether the reporter believed that Canelo will be earning nine figures at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, or whether he was referring to the champion’s wider deal with Saudi Arabia. It is also unclear whether Alalshikh was referring to Saturday’s purse or Canelo’s longer contract, but it seemed to be the latter.

Saturday’s main event sees Canelo, 35, bid to extend his second reign as undisputed super-middleweight champion. Meanwhile, Crawford, 37, aims to become the first three-weight undisputed king of the modern era.

The American previously held all the major titles at super-lightweight and welterweight. Like Canelo, Crawford has held world titles in four divisions overall.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Terence Crawford weighing in for his super-middleweight debut, against Canelo Alvarez (X/@Zuffa_Boxing)

At Friday’s weigh-in, Crawford tipped the scales at 167.5lb, 0.5lb inside the super-middleweight limit. Canelo, who is well accustomed to competing in the division, weighed the same.

For Crawford, however, this is an ambitious venture, as he goes two divisions above his previous career-highest weight of 154lb. The unbeaten American has competed as light as 135lb in his professional career.