A seismic shift is underway in the boxing world, as two of the sport’s most dominant names – Canelo Alvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford – are officially set to face off on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
This blockbuster event, presented by Riyadh Season, will stream live on Netflix globally at no extra cost to subscribers, a first-of-its-kind move that’s shaking up how premium boxing content is delivered.
The fight will be co-promoted by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, entertainment group Sela, and Dana White, making his long-anticipated entrance into professional boxing. This partnership marks the beginning of a new promotional venture called Zuffa Boxing, a collaboration between White, Sela, TKO Group Holdings, and Saudi officials.
Canelo, with an impressive record of 63-2-2, currently holds the undisputed super-middleweight title and enters the ring backed by a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season. Meanwhile, Crawford, unbeaten at 41-0, aims to achieve a historic feat by becoming the first male boxer in the four-belt era to become undisputed in three different weight divisions.
Their bout is being hailed by many as the most significant boxing match of this generation.
A new promotional powerhouse enters the ting
The launch of Zuffa Boxing through this mega-fight signals a potentially transformative chapter for the sport. Dana White has been clear: while the Canelo-Crawford clash is a one-time special event, it’s also a litmus test for his broader ambitions. Plans are already in motion for a full-scale boxing league under Zuffa, expected to debut in 2026.
Unlike traditional boxing models, White’s structure will borrow heavily from UFC’s operational and financial framework – with guaranteed fighter pay, rankings, and tighter promotional control.
However, not everyone is on board with the direction this new venture is taking. Critics fear that adopting a UFC-style approach could compromise boxing’s historical structure and the autonomy fighters currently enjoy.
Concerns also stem from how fighter pay might be affected under White’s proposed model, which could mirror the more rigid and often-criticized UFC pay scale.
The eye-watering $200 million purse for the fight, reportedly split $150 million for Canelo and $50 million for Crawford, has added to the debate. While fans are hyped for the matchup, many worry about what Dana White’s growing influence might mean for boxing’s future.
As fight night approaches, all eyes are on Las Vegas and on whether this event marks a thrilling evolution or a risky reinvention of the sport.
Read the full article here
