Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez is poised to enter one of the most lucrative periods of his boxing career, thanks to a groundbreaking four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season.
This agreement, reportedly valued at $400 million, includes a highly anticipated showdown with Terence'”Bud’ Crawford, potentially setting the stage for the richest bout in boxing history.
Canelo’s $400 million Saudi deal
In a strategic move that has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, Canelo Álvarez has opted out of a proposed bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, choosing instead to sign a monumental four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season.
The agreement, announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, is estimated to be worth $400 million. This deal outlines an ambitious fight schedule for Álvarez, beginning with a match in May 2025 against IBF champion William Scull, followed by a highly anticipated showdown against Terence “Bud” Crawford in September 2025. The final two fights are slated for February and October 2026, both in Riyadh.
Financially, the agreement is staggering. If each of the four fights extends to the full 12 rounds, Álvarez stands to earn approximately $100 million per fight. This breaks down to about $8.33 million per round, $231,481 per minute, and an astonishing $3,858 per second in the ring, according to Action Network.
The Crawford showdown: A potential record breaker
The centerpiece of this deal is the proposed fight between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford. Scheduled for September 2025, this bout is expected to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with 65,000 fans anticipated to attend, making it a major event in modern boxing.
Crawford, an undefeated and pound-for-pound elite, would be stepping up from 154lbs to 168lbs without a rehydration clause, aiming to solidify himself as an all-time great. Victory over Álvarez-one of the sport’s greatest Mexican fighters-would elevate Crawford’s legacy.
The financial stakes are equally high. Earlier this year, popular boxing commentator Ray Jackson sparked buzz when he claimed that Canelo Álvarez is set to earn $150 million for the Crawford fight. If this rumored payout turns out to be true, Álvarez would not only headline the biggest fight of the year but also become the highest-paid boxer of 2025.
To put it in perspective, even Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who had an incredible 2024 with two massive bouts, earned a combined $105 million and $114 million, respectively, for two fights in 2024.
While there have been no major reports about Crawford’s earnings from this mega-fight, it’s anticipated that he will also receive a substantial purse, potentially making this the most financially rewarding bout for both fighters.
As the boxing world eagerly awaits the outcome of Álvarez’s upcoming fight against William Scull, all eyes will soon turn to the September showdown with Terence Crawford. With both fighters at the peak of their careers and the financial incentives at an all-time high, this bout has the potential to redefine the landscape of modern boxing.
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