The highly anticipated September 13 clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford has already been billed as the biggest boxing bout of the year, if not the decade.
But a fresh layer of global intrigue has now been added to the Las Vegas showdown. UFC president Dana White and Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh have confirmed that rising Indian boxer Nishant Dev will feature on the undercard.
Speaking after UFC 316, White confirmed he remains heavily involved in the promotion of Canelo vs Crawford, despite earlier speculation that Saudi-backed SELA might limit his role.
In fact, White emphasized that he and Alalshikh are aligned in delivering an unforgettable night for fight fans.
“I’m promoting the fight,” White said at the UFC 316 post-event presser. “Turki wants to make the biggest fights that the fans want to see in boxing, and this is right up my alley.”
Indian contender gets shot on boxing’s biggest stage
One of the most exciting developments to emerge from the collaboration between White and Alalshikh is the inclusion of Nishant Dev on the card.
Dev, a bronze medalist at the 2023 IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Uzbekistan, narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the 2024 Olympics after a controversial quarterfinal loss to Mexico’s Marco Verde. But now, he’ll have a chance to prove himself on boxing’s grandest platform.
MMA India Show first confirmed the news on Instagram, stating: “His Highness @turki has revealed that @nishantboxer_jr will be fighting on the undercard of CANELO VS CRAWFORD on September 13 in Las Vegas.”
Dev‘s trajectory has been closely followed in India. He joined promoter Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing earlier this year and has since been viewed as one of the country’s best bets for global success in the ring.
His appearance on such a high-profile undercard could open doors for more Indian athletes on international boxing stages.
Netflix to stream Canelo vs Crawford live
The event will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with fans around the world able to watch live via Netflix.
Dana White confirmed the streaming partnership in a social media post, signaling a major shift in how premium boxing content is delivered.
“Are you kidding me that the first boxing fight I’m going to get to promote is Canelo vs Crawford? It’s literally a once-in-a-lifetime fight,” White said on Instagram.
“Live on Saturday, September 13, streaming globally on Netflix, two of the GREATEST boxers in the sport will meet in a historic fight from Las Vegas.”
Netflix’s involvement is especially notable, as the platform faced criticism during its first foray into boxing with the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson broadcast.
That event was riddled with technical issues and viewer complaints. However, both White and Alalshikh appear confident the streaming giant has learned from its mistakes and is ready to deliver a seamless viewing experience.
The move could also signal a potential long-term partnership. With the UFC’s broadcast contract set to expire at the end of the year, White is keeping a close eye on Netflix’s performance as a potential future home for MMA’s premier organization.
As the countdown to September 13 begins, anticipation continues to build-not only for the title clash between Canelo and Crawford, but also for what the event represents: a new era in global fight promotion, and perhaps the dawn of India’s boxing future.
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