Boxing’s two biggest fighters, Saul “Canero” Alvarez and Terrence “Bad” Crawford, meet in a contest called the “Battle of the Century”, and put their legacy on the line.
The pair clashes in a charming unified super middleweight title matchup where Alvarez, the 76kg (168lb) governing middleweight champion, defends Crawford, the American who won 10 world titles in the lightweight classification, but hasn’t fought over two weights over 70kg.
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Here’s what you need to know before a fight:
When will Alvarez Crawford fight?
The ring walk for Saturday’s main fight in Las Vegas, Nevada is scheduled for 8pm (Sunday at 3:00 GMT), and the match will begin shortly after.
Where is the Battle of Alvarez Crawford happening?
The venue for the game will be the 65,000-seat Allegianto Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team.
The venue is used because it has much larger capacity than other indoor boxing venues normally used, namely the T-Mobile Arena.
Where can I follow and watch the battle live?
Here you can follow Al Jazeera’s buildup and live fight text and photo coverage.
Matches will be streamed live globally on Netflix. You will need a subscription to watch the event.
What pre-match events are there?
Based on the fight, the main press conference will take place at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday at 3pm (22:00 GMT).
Official weigh-in will be held on Friday at 3pm (22:00 GMT) at T-Mobile Arena.
What titles do Alvarez and Crawford compete with?
Alvarez and Crawford are fighting for the world world titles of the Mexican WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC and Ring Magazine titles.
If Crawford beats Alvarez, he will be the first male boxer to become a three-weight classless person in his 4-belt era.
How much weight does Crawford need to gain to fight Alvarez?
Current WBA Super Welterweight Champion Crawford will jump to about 6kg (14lbs) to reach the weight limit of 76kg (168lbs) for a super middleweight match against Alvarez.
Americans have a slight advantage over Alvarez, who stands at 1.73 meters (5 feet, 8 inches) against their opponents (5 feet, 7.5 inches).
Crawford also has the advantage of a 10cm (4 inches) reach over Mexican fighter jets (188cm/74 inches vs. 178cm/70 inches).
Has Crawford suffered a shoulder injury?
Recently, there has been constant speculation that Crawford is struggling with a shoulder injury heading into Saturday’s major battle.
In an interview with FightHub TV that aired Tuesday, he denied the injuries.
“I don’t know from the shoulder injury. I see people come up with all their antics. I know “Terrence Crawford suffered a shoulder injury.” They came up with all sorts of things,” he said.
Who is Canelo Alvarez?
Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KO) is Mexico’s biggest boxing star and winner of 11 boxing world titles in a illustrious 20-year career.
Orthodox fighters never enjoyed a Sterling amateur career as they became experts at just 15 years old.
The 35-year-old is a world champion in four categories. Lightweight, middleweight, ultra-middleweight, light heavyweight.
In 2021, Alvarez became the first and only boxer in history and became the indisputable super middleweight champion when he knocked out the Caleb factory.
His two career losses came against fellow legends Floyd Mayweather JR and Dmitry Biboll, but Alvarez’s extremely popular with boxing fans around the world.
Who is Terrence Crawford?
Crawford (40-0, 31 Kos), originally from Omaha, Nebraska, began his boxing career in 2008 and is undefeated as a professional.
The 37-year-old Southpaw, who won a total of one-tenth title, is a former lightweight champion, junior welterweight uncontroversial champion and welterweight uncontroversial champion. Crawford is the current unified welterweight champion and WBA junior middleweight champion.
For his career, he is a world champion in four categories and holds an indisputable title in two weight classes: Super Lightweight and welterweight.
Who is on the undercard?
Spare cards will begin at 3:30pm (22:30 GMT) and main cards will be scheduled at 6pm (01:00 GMT on Sunday).
Main Event:
Alvarez vs Crawford (Super Middleweight) Calm Walsh vs Fernando Vargas JR (Super Welterweight – Co-Main Event) Christian Mbili vs Leicester Martinez (Super Middleweight) Mohamed Arakel vs John Olena (Lightweight)
Spare Card:
Serhii Bohachuk vs Brandon Adams (Middleweight) Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin (Heavyweight) Reito Tsutsumi vs Javier Martinez (Super Featherweight) Sultan Almohammed vs Martin Caraballo (Super Lightweight) VSeven vs Raiko Santana Osorio Betancoat (Super Middleweight)
What is Fight Perth?
The total prize money has not been revealed, but multiple media reports have also calculated $150 million.
Alvarez will be on a career-high payday with Mexicans earning at least $100 million for this fight to sign one of the most profitable boxing contracts in history. Five astronomical battles, Saudi promoter Turki Al-Sheikh’s $400 million deal with Riyadh season.
Crawford is guaranteed a minimum of $10 million, but his final figures could be virtually higher with bonuses and other payments.
Crawford rejected the number when asked about the $50 million payday rumors in a recent interview about the Ring Champion Podcast.
“I got $10 million for that fight (with Alvarez),” Crawford said of his guaranteed awards wallet.
What did Alvarez say about the battle?
Speaking at the Grand Arrivals event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Alvarez asked if Crawford’s team was underestimating the rise in the two weight classes.
“No, they’re underestimating weight classes. Maybe they know, but if they don’t, they can do a lot in the ring on September 13th and they’re going to put it all on Saturday night,” he said.
When asked about Crawford’s recent social post, which appears to reveal extra muscle mass to American fighters, Alvarez commented that he thought it was good for a competitive contest.
“I feel happy because you know it’s going to be a good fight, so we’re hoping for a good fight.”
What did Crawford say about the fight?
Crawford is calling boxing’s biggest fight and matchup in “probably 10 years” as he ordered him to become the first male boxer in three weight classes.
“Canelo doesn’t want to lose to the guy who’s moving two weight classes,” Crawford said. “You know, he doesn’t want the little guy to evacuate him from his indisputable position. Terrence Crawford wants to move up and do all of that.”
“He has a lot to lose. I got a lot to win. I have a lot to lose. He has a lot to win.”
The Americans praised Alvarez’s experience and career, and supported their tools to carry the night.
“Canero is very experienced. I’m also very experienced. I’ve got two experienced fighters now available. The best guy is going to win,” he said, adding that his footwork and speed could be decisive.
“I admire his entire career. He and his team did an incredible job,” Crawford said.
Crawford predicted how the match would end: “Winning. A good victory… They’re going to say I’m the best of this generation and this era.”
Who likes to win games?
Several betting agencies around the world have Alvarez’s favorites for winning the battle, but not a big margin.
On average, Mexicans pay $1.60 for victory and Crawford’s $2.60 win in several famous betting pools.
