As part of Riyadh Season, the Baker AlShidy Theatre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosted the first press conference for the highly anticipated clash between world super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) and multi-division champion Terence Crawford (41-0-0, 31 KOs). On September 13th in Las Vegas, the Mexican Alvarez will defend his undisputed 168-pound laurels against the American Crawford, who will move up two weight divisions. The fight card will be available on Netflix.

 

In a lavishly organized event, as is customary for fights held in the Middle East, Canelo and Crawford met face-to-face months before the big fight. “Canelo’s resume is brilliant. In the last 20 years, he has fought everyone. I don’t think Canelo will offer him the chance to win. It will be one of the best fights in the last 10 years,” commented Turki Al-Sheikh.

 

Both fighters are convinced that this will make boxing history. “I asked for Canelo because he’s a great fighter. He has fought [Miguel] Cotto, [Floyd] Mayweather, GGG [Gennady Golovkin]... all mega-fights. And this is my mega-fight, this is my moment, that’s why I asked to face Canelo,” commented Crawford. 

 

“He’s one of the best boxers I’ll face in my career. I’m going to prepare for everything,” said Alvarez.

With his belts in front of him, Álvarez warned: “He’s not going to beat me. I believe this fight will be in the boxing history books. I hope he doesn’t run, because people deserve to see a good fight. I hope he puts on a good fight. I know my abilities and I am very confident in them.”