Terence Crawford has finally lifted the lid on how much he’s earning for the biggest boxing fight of his career, and it’s a shock to fans who expected a blockbuster figure.
The undefeated American fighter confirmed he’ll receive $10 million for his September 13 bout with Canelo Alvarez, dispelling rumors of a much larger paycheck. The clash, which headlines one of boxing’s most anticipated events of 2025, will see Crawford step up two weight classes to face Canelo, the undisputed king at 168 pounds.
In a recent interview with Ring Champs with Ak & Barak, Crawford made it clear that the bout is less about financial reward and more about the legacy he hopes to cement. When asked about his earnings, he responded directly: “I got $10 million for that fight [with Canelo].”
The reaction in the room was immediate, host Barak laughed and AK accused him of joking. But Crawford stood firm, responding, “How do you know that’s a lie?”
The Nebraska native went on to explain his mindset: “I’m doing it for the opportunity, baby. The legacy,” adding, “Legacy outweigh the money.”
As a three-division undisputed champion, Crawford‘s next move could make him the first boxer in history to become undisputed in four different weight classes – a feat he’s chasing at the age of 36.
A legacy-defining fight despite the payday discrepancy
The purse revelation is even more surprising given the financial landscape surrounding the fight.
Canelo Alvarez, coming off a dominant performance against William Scull, is reportedly earning over $80 million per bout under his four-fight, $400 million contract tied to Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season boxing venture.
Social media posts had claimed that Crawford was set to receive as much as $50 million, but his own comments quickly undermined those assumptions.
What’s more, an emergency backup plan is already in place. According to reports, undefeated contender Lester Martinez has agreed to step in if Crawford pulls out, and he would earn a career-best $2 million for doing so.
While that safety net underlines the fight’s logistical complexity, it also highlights the high stakes and promotional planning involved.
Crawford, who holds a pristine 41-0 record, also hinted that this bout won’t be his last. In fact, he teased an ambitious return to 154 pounds in the aftermath, saying, “I might go back down… and do it again!” His remark suggests that retirement isn’t on the cards just yet, despite the magnitude of the upcoming challenge.
Interestingly, there are rumors that the Crawford-Canelo bout could be streamed on Netflix, following the platform’s recent expansion into live sports, including WWE’s Monday Night RAW. If confirmed, it would mark a significant evolution in how premium boxing events are distributed and watched.
But whatever happens on fight night, Crawford‘s motivation remains clear – he’s chasing history, not headlines. “Three times undisputed. Oooo…. we coming soon,” he said with a grin, laser-focused on what this moment could mean for his legacy.
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