Turki Alalshikh makes massive Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford U-turn as Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury update provided

HE Turki Alalshikh has changed his mind on Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford.

The chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority previously had the super fight at the top of his boxing wishlist.

2

Just hours before Crawford snatched the WBA super welterweight title away from Israil Madrimov on Saturday night, HE Alalshikh informed DAZN that he had made an offer to Canelo for the fight.

But in a massive U-turn, the Saudi boxing chief now insists that he's no longer interested in staging the blockbuster showdown.

Taking to X, he wrote: "Just wrapped up an important meeting now with my team, planning for the upcoming fights that we will make for 2024-2025.

"I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore. Instead, I will be focusing for the US market with bigger fights, especially for the legend Crawford.

READ MORE ON BOXING

Three fights added to Canelo Alvarez undercard including oldest world champion in boxing

Oleksandr Usyk lost amateur fight via 'mercy rule' after being dropped by opponent

"Additionally, I will support making fights for Boots (Jaron Ennis), [Devin] Haney, Shakur [Stevenson], [Virgil] Ortiz, [Jared] Anderson, [David] Benavidez, [William] Zepeda and more.

"Regarding Tim Tszyu, there’s something unclear with the communications from his team with our team, so I believe I will reconsider his situation."

In the same interview where he mentioned the offer to Canelo, HE Alalshikh affirmed that Vergil Ortiz would be the next man to receive the call to face Crawford.

Ortiz is back in action on August 10 in Las Vegas as he takes on Serhii Bohachuk for the WBC 'interim' super welterweight trinket.

Most read in Boxing

Canelo Alvarez poised to overtake Floyd Mayweather and become first ever $1billion boxer

Anthony Joshua draws up new three fight hit-list with Tyson Fury yet to make U-turn

Conor Benn buys expensive gift with huge Chris Eubank Jr fight purse

Boxing schedule 2025: Results and dates including Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2

Providing he gets through that fight unscathed, we should receive another update from HE Alalshikh on the potential of Crawford vs Ortiz.

After ruling out Canelo vs Crawford, HE Alalshikh turned his attention to the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II undercard.

2

His statement continued: "And for the rest of the world, definitely, I am focusing on Riyadh Season card, Wembley edition 21st of September (Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois).

"And depending on the results and the results of Riyadh Season’s opening card (Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev) on the 12th of October, I will build the card for the rematch of [Tyson] Fury vs [Oleksandr] Usyk on the 21st of December and another big card on the first quarter of 2025. Stay tuned."

HE Alalshikh has already made it clear that he is eyeing Fury vs Anthony Joshua for March 2025.

If they can win both of their upcoming fights then this could well be the big card in the first quarter of 2025.

Unlike their inaugural encounter, Usyk and Fury's rematch won't be for all four major sanctioning body belts after the Ukrainian slickster vacated the IBF strap to pursue a second fight with 'The Gypsy King'.

As a result, Daniel Dubois was upgraded to full IBF champion and will defend his title for the first time against Joshua.

Boxing WhatsApp channel

Get the latest fight news, reaction and the best opinion from talkSPORT pundits in our

Follow our Boxing channel