‘Be something crazy’ – Turki Alalshikh makes Dana White decision as Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford super fight confirmed
Canelo Alvarez will meet Terence Crawford for the undisputed super middleweight titles next in what has been billed as the 'fight of the century'.
The Mexican superstar overcame William Scull via unanimous decision in a sleep-inducing 12-round fight to unify the Cuban's IBF belt with his WBA, WBC and WBO titles.
3
After the fight, he was joined in the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by Crawford, as Turki Alalshikh confirmed the pair will meet on September 12 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Crawford, the reigning WBA super welterweight title holder, will move up two weight divisions to box Canelo at his natural weight class without a rehydration clause.
UFC CEO Dana White will help promote the fight as his first TKO event since he joined forces with Saudi Boxing chief Alalshikh to create a new boxing promotion.
Writing on social media, Alalshikh said: "We will deliver the fight of the century with @RiyadhSeason on Sept. 12 at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium. The legend @Canelo defends his @ringmagazine title vs. the great @terencecrawford.
READ MORE ON BOXING
"TV platform will be announced soon with big surprise. My brother @danawhite will promote this first TKO boxing event with me. It will be something crazy."
'Bud' is one of three male boxers in the four-belt era to have achieved undisputed supremacy in two separate weight classes, alongside Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue.
If he is able to overcome the odds stacked against him and beat Canelo, then he will become the first three-weight undisputed champion since the WBO was recognised as a major sanctioning body.
"I'm feeling blessed," said Crawford in the ring after Canelo's four-belt shootout with Scull.
Most read in Boxing
"Everything happens for a reason, and there is a reason why I am here.
"In September, I'm going to show the world what greatness looks like."
3
Asked why he believes he is the man to knock Canelo off of his 168lbs perch, Crawford responded: "Because I am the best.
"That is why everyone is going to come and watch on September 12."
Canelo added: "I feel great. Crawford is one of the best out there.
"And I like to share the ring with that kind of fighter. It is my pleasure."
Canelo had previously written off the match-up as a 'lose-lose' fight due to the weight disparity between the pair.
When asked what changed his tune, Canelo replied: "Everybody is asking for the fight.
"My nino Turki Alalshikh wants it, so that is why we are here."
3
Dana White also posted a picture of the pair squaring off on his social media channels.
Crawford and Canelo had an agreement in place to meet each other before the Mexican's clash with Scull.
All Canelo needed to do was win.
Read More on talkSPORT
And win, he did, even if it was a painful watch throughout.
Both boxers landed a combined 111 punches between them in an incredibly low-output affair that had the restless Saudi crowd booing down the home straight.
Topics