Saúl “Canelo” Alvarez took the spotlight yet again – not only confirming blockbuster plans inside the ring, but also teasing a potential crossover into WWE.
Speaking at the press conference ahead of his super-fight with Terence Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium, Canelo made headlines when he responded to questions about a future in professional wrestling.
“We’re talking about it,” Canelo said. “Maybe. Maybe you will see me in the WWE at some point.”
This announcement comes as Canelo continues to prepare for one of the boxing world’s most anticipated match-ups against Terence Crawford, promoted under UFC CEO Dana White’s new TKO boxing initiative.
Alongside discussions of a potential WWE debut, he stressed, “I agree with Turki Alalshikh. People want to see good fights… People come to spend money to see great fights, and if the other fighter comes to run on the night and doesn’t make a good fight, it’s deception.”
With both fighters now squarely focused on entertainment and legacy, it’s clear Canelo is promising thrills both in and potentially out of the ring.
A glimpse into Canelo’s WWE aspirations
Canelo’s flirtation with WWE didn’t come out of nowhere. When UFC ventured into boxing under TKO – collaborating with WWE chief Nick Khan and backed by Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh – it created a framework allowing talent crossover between sports.
Boxing legends such as Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Tyson Fury have ventured into pro-wrestling before. Canelo’s hint suggests he could be next.
At the same press event in Riyadh, Alalshikh emphasized a new directive: fighters must deliver excitement. He announced a knockout bonus for this fight, driven by fans’ demand for action. Canelo backed this, revealing a “sombre conversation” with Alalshikh after his dull win over William Scull, in which he promised a more engaging performance.
“If this Crawford bout lives up to expectations, a WWE crossover could follow,” says industry analyst Mark Johnson. Thanks to the shared ownership structure under TKO, such crossovers become plausible marketing moves. Canelo’s public interest in WWE suggests a potential strategy to extend his brand well beyond the ring.
Meanwhile, Canelo is set to defend the undisputed super-middleweight crown – WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles – against Crawford, who aims to make history as the first three-division undisputed champion of the four-belt era. In a recent Riyadh face-off, tensions ran high, and the atmosphere confirmed this clash wasn’t just another fight.
Canelo’s next stage
This showdown is shaping up as a career-defining event for both fighters. Canelo leads with a professional record of 63-2-2, while Crawford remains undefeated at 41-0. Their September 13 contest, with a Netflix live stream and a knockout bonus on the line, seeks to be one of the most compelling spectacles in recent boxing memory-not only due to talent but theater.
Canelo’s WWE hint reflects his awareness of his platform’s power; he’s peering beyond the ropes and into entertainment crossovers. Whether as a possible guest appearance at a WWE event or part of a promotional storyline, his embrace of WWE signals a bold new step in athlete crossover.
With his ongoing TKO deal in place through 2026 and the Crawford bout promising fireworks, Canelo is positioning himself as both boxing’s marquee name and a global entertainer. If all goes according to plan, fans may soon see him throw not just punches, but sentient grappling in a WWE ring too.
As anticipation builds for Crawford, boxing fans-and perhaps wrestling fans-await the next chapter from one of combat sports’ most dynamic figures.
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