Canelo Alvarez to Earn More Than £100 Million for Terence Crawford Fight, Saudi Backer Says
Turki Alalshikh discloses what he called a guarantee exceeding £100 million as the Las Vegas super-fight approaches
Canelo Alvarez has been guaranteed more than £100 million to face Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, according to Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority who has bankrolled the event.
Alalshikh made the disclosure at a final press conference on Friday, responding to a question about Alvarez’s payday by saying, “No, you’ve got the number wrong… it’s more than that.” The amount, he added, represents one of the largest single guarantees in sport and would be the richest guarantee on record for a Mexican athlete.
The bout is the second in a three-fight agreement between Alalshikh and Alvarez. Alvarez’s earlier fight on that deal, a points victory over William Scull, took place earlier this year. Alalshikh has emerged as a key financier in high-profile boxing events, arranging commercial partnerships and striking a global streaming agreement for the fight with Netflix.
Alalshikh also helped bring UFC executive Dana White into the business arrangement. White, appearing alongside promoters and fighters at the conference, said he was honoured to be involved and predicted an "incredible fight" on Saturday.
Crawford, the undefeated American who enters the bout 41-0 with titles in three weight divisions, used the press conference to reiterate longstanding frustration about his standing in boxing’s public conversation. "People keep saying I haven’t fought anybody," he said. "Well, come Saturday, we’re all going to see." He added a lighter quip about Alvarez, saying the only area Alvarez might beat him in was horseback riding because Crawford does not ride horses.
Promoters and the fighters gave few other financial specifics at the conference beyond Alalshikh’s comments. The fight forms part of an expansion of elite boxing events financed by Saudi entities since the kingdom increased its investments in international sport and entertainment.
Alvarez, a multiple-division world champion from Mexico, and Crawford, a three-division titleholder from Omaha, Nebraska, have each positioned the match as a defining contest in their careers. With a global streaming partner in place and substantial backing from Alalshikh, the event represents a significant commercial milestone for all parties involved.
Both fighters completed press duties and are set to finalise training at neutral venues before taking part in weigh-ins and promotional activities ahead of Saturday’s main event at Allegiant Stadium.