Latest news with #TurkiAlalshikh
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford face expectations set by Saudi powerbroker
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford met Fridaym June 20 in Saudi Arabia for a press conference to promote their megafight, scheduled for Sept. 13 in Las Vegas. But a Saudi powerbroker spoke first. He is Turki Alalshikh (a.k.a. 'His Excellency'), the central figure in Saudi Arabia becoming a big player in professional boxing as a deep-pocketed promoter. Advertisement 'I hate Tom and Jerry's kind of boxing," Alalshikh said, referring to the famous animated series as well as boxers who run from their opponents. "I am sure (Alvarez and Crawford) will deliver for me smashing face and blood and this is the boxing." Additionally, Alalshikh said, "We will have in this fight and our next fight's a bonus for a KO." He did not provide specifics, but his message was clear. Alvarez and Crawford will be expected to deliver, despite recent history. Terence Crawford, right, faces off against Canelo Alvarez during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of their super middleweight title fight in September. Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) is coming off a lackluster victory over William Scull by unanimous decision in May. The crowd booed as Scull spent most of the fight running from Alvarez, who exerted modest effort to chase down Scull. It also happened to be the first fight of Alvarez's five-fight deal with the Saudis. Advertisement Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) has not fought since August 2024, and that was an unforgettable bout, too. He beat Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision. Like Alvarez, he heard boos during a fight that included no knockdowns. Alalshikh suggested he didn't want a 12-by-12 ring to ensure adequate action for the fight. But apparently he thought it would be a good idea to have dinner with Alvarez and Crawford before the press conference. 'We talked yesterday and they are professional,'' Alalshikh said later in the press conference. 'But I think starting from last night they know what they need to do." Do Alvarez, Crawford get it? Neither Alvarez or Crawford sounded as if Alalshikh's words will have great impact when they fight at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, for the undisputed super middleweight championship. Advertisement Crawford, 37, is moving up two weight classes (14 pounds) to fight Alvarez at super middleweight. His standing toe-to-toe with Alvarez would enthrall the fans and perhaps create the fight that Alalshikh wants. But don't count on it. 'I'm not going to let somebody else force or tell me how to fight,'' Crawford said. 'When I've been in fighting my whole life, I won't be running. I could tell you that, but I will be doing a lot of touching.'' In defense of Crawford, before the fight against Madrimov, he'd won 11 straight fights by knockout. Alvarez, 34, suggested his fight would be one for the history books. But it's worth revisiting recent history – his fight against Scull. It was a dreadful fight. Advertisement '…but we win,'' Alvarez said. 'That's all that matters.'' If Alvarez had been listening, at the dinner or at the press conference, he'd know that's not all that matters to Alalshikh – or, largely speaking, boxing fans. Alvarez's next knockout will be his first since 2021 – when he finished Caleb Plant with an 11th-round TKO. Maybe it's something 'His Excellency'' will address during another dinner with Alvarez and Crawford. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford put on notice at press conference
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
KO Bonus Installed For Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford Fight
Talk about dangling a carrot for the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford megafight. Turki Alalshikh, the deep-pocketed chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, announced that he'll give a bonus for a knockout when Alvarez puts his undisputed super middleweight championship on the line against Crawford on Sept. 13 in Las Vegas, live on Netflix. Alalshikh revealed the KO bonus during Friday's kickoff press conference in Saudi Arabia. Alalshikh lambasted "Tom & Jerry fights" where one fighter is "running around the ring and another fighter is chasing him." Hence the bonus that will be installed for Canelo-Crawford and other upcoming fights he promotes. Terence Crawford faces off against Canelo Alvarez during a press conference in Riyadh. (Photo by ... More Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) "We will not have [Tom & Jerry fights] anymore," Alalshikh said. "We will have in this fight and our next fights a bonus for a KO." Alalshikh did not disclose the dollar amount of the bonus, which is similar to performance bonuses that his promoting partner, UFC CEO Dana White, has implemented in his fight organization. Meanwhile, both Canelo and Crawford said they'll be fighting, not running. Here's a look at the staredown: "However I got to fight, I'm going to win," said Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who has knocked out 11 of his past 12 opponents. 'I'm not going to let someone else tell me how to fight when I've been doing that my whole life. I won't be running. I can tell you that. But I will be doing a lot of touching.' Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) said Crawford is "great fighter but he's not Canelo" and cited his experience as his key to victory. "He's not going to beat me," Alvarez said. "Don't worry about it... I'm a winner." Crawford will be jumping two weight classes, from 154 to 168 pounds and believes he'll make history by winning all four major world title belts in a record third weight division. "For sure those belts are coming home with me," Crawford said. 'I'm taking them and ain't nothing you can do about it come fight night.' And if the bonus weren't enough. The winner will take home a new belt that cost $188,000 to produce. Take a look:
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford to have KO bonus after Canelo's all-time stinker against William Scull
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Terence Crawford faced off Friday at the kickoff press conference for their Sept. 13 showdown. The highly-anticipated Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown on Sept. 13 will be the first fight financed by Turki Alalshikh to have a knockout bonus, Alalshikh announced Friday at the kickoff press conference for the Netflix-streamed undisputed super middleweight title bout in Riyadh. The lead promoter for Alvarez vs. Crawford is Dana White and TKO Boxing — the venture formed by Alalshikh, White and WWE President Nick Khan earlier this year. White is also the CEO of the UFC, where performance-related bonuses are a regular feature. "We will not have [a fighter who is running] anymore [on our shows], this is the first thing," Alalshikh responded when asked how he plans to prevent disappointing 'Tom and Jerry' fights moving forward. Advertisement "The second [thing], we will have in [Alvarez vs. Crawford] and [future] fights, bonuses for KOs." Alvarez's most recent ring appearance was a historically dreadful bout against Cuba's William Scull. Alvarez (152) and Scull (293) combined to throw the fewest punches in a 12-round fight in the 40-year history of boxing stat-tracker CompuBox. Scull refused to fight with Alvarez, instead choosing to throw pitter-patter jabs and moving constantly. "Canelo" was forced to chase him down and push to engage, but Alvarez's 34-year-old legs did a poor job of that and it made for an abysmal watch. The night before — also on a show funded by Alalshikh — Devin Haney (224) and Jose Ramirez (279) combined to throw the fourth-fewest punches at the time in a 12-round fight, while Rolando "Rolly" Romero (280) and Ryan Garcia (210) combined to throw the third-fewest punches ever in a 12-round fight. After the back-to-back disappointing shows, Alalshikh voiced his frustration with "Tom and Jerry" fights and fighters who competed with an unentertaining style. His debuting of the knockout bonus on Sept. 13 serves as an attempt to change boxers' approaches to fights, reminding them of the need to entertain as well as win. Advertisement Alalshikh did not clarify how much the knockout bonus would be for Alvarez vs. Crawford, although the pair's combined purses for the superfight are expected to exceed $100 million. Inside the distance or not, Crawford continued to insist that he has what it takes to defeat Alvarez at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and become the first fighter of the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three weight divisions. "For sure, the belts are coming with me, they're coming home with me. I'm telling you right now," Crawford said to Alvarez. "I know Turki is in your corner," Alvarez responded, "but look, it's going to be very difficult. [Alalshikh is] going to be so mad that day, believe me." Advertisement Alvarez and Alalshikh have had an up-and-down relationship over the past year. Alalshikh said he would crush Alvarez's fight against Edgar Berlanga this past September with a competing event that night, UFC 306. Alvarez was not impressed by those comments and retaliated against the Saudi boxing financier. The pair, however, ultimately reconciled and agreed on a four-fight deal this past February. The second of those four bouts for Alvarez will be against Crawford in September.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford to have KO bonus, as Turki Alalshikh seeks to end 'Tom and Jerry' fights
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Terence Crawford faced off Friday at the kickoff press conference for their Sept. 13 showdown. The highly-anticipated Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown on Sept. 13 will be the first fight financed by Turki Alalshikh to have a knockout bonus, Alalshikh announced Friday at the kickoff press conference for the Netflix-streamed undisputed super middleweight title bout in Riyadh. The lead promoter for Alvarez vs. Crawford is Dana White and TKO Boxing — the venture formed by Alalshikh, White and WWE President Nick Khan earlier this year. White is also the CEO of the UFC, where performance-related bonuses are a regular feature. "We will not have [a fighter who is running] anymore [on our shows], this is the first thing," Alalshikh responded when asked how he plans to prevent disappointing 'Tom and Jerry' fights moving forward. Advertisement "The second [thing], we will have in [Alvarez vs. Crawford] and [future] fights, bonuses for KOs." Alvarez's most recent ring appearance was a historically dreadful bout against Cuba's William Scull. Alvarez (152) and Scull (293) combined to throw the fewest punches in a 12-round fight in the 40-year history of boxing stat-tracker CompuBox. Scull refused to fight with Alvarez, instead choosing to throw pitter-patter jabs and moving constantly. "Canelo" was forced to chase him down and push to engage, but Alvarez's 34-year-old legs did a poor job of that and it made for an abysmal watch. The night before — also on a show funded by Alalshikh — Devin Haney (224) and Jose Ramirez (279) combined to throw the fourth-fewest punches at the time in a 12-round fight, while Rolando "Rolly" Romero (280) and Ryan Garcia (210) combined to throw the third-fewest punches ever in a 12-round fight. After the back-to-back disappointing shows, Alalshikh voiced his frustration with "Tom and Jerry" fights and fighters who competed with an unentertaining style. His debuting of the knockout bonus on Sept. 13 serves as an attempt to change boxers' approaches to fights, reminding them of the need to entertain as well as win. Advertisement Alalshikh did not clarify how much the knockout bonus would be for Alvarez vs. Crawford, although the pair's combined purses for the superfight are expected to exceed $100 million. Inside the distance or not, Crawford continued to insist that he has what it takes to defeat Alvarez at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and become the first fighter of the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three weight divisions. "For sure, the belts are coming with me, they're coming home with me. I'm telling you right now," Crawford said to Alvarez. "I know Turki is in your corner," Alvarez responded, "but look, it's going to be very difficult. [Alalshikh is] going to be so mad that day, believe me." Advertisement Alvarez and Alalshikh have had an up-and-down relationship over the past year. Alalshikh said he would crush Alvarez's fight against Edgar Berlanga this past September with a competing event that night, UFC 306. Alvarez was not impressed by those comments and retaliated against the Saudi boxing financier. The pair, however, ultimately reconciled and agreed on a four-fight deal this past February. The second of those four bouts for Alvarez will be against Crawford in September.
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Terence Crawford reveals why Canelo Alvarez fight is biggest in 20 YEARS… and lifts lid on sharing dinner with rival
TERENCE CRAWFORD says he is on the verge of boxing's greatest fight in 20 YEARS with Canelo Alvarez - after they broke bread over dinner. The unbeaten American steps up to super-middleweight to challenge Mexico's undisputed champion on September 13 in Las Vegas. Crawford compared the bout to one of boxing's biggest and said: "Over the last 20 years I can definitely say it's up there." UFC boss Dana White enters the boxing space to promote the fight and Netflix will broadcast. They debuted in boxing in November when over 100 MILLION watched Jake Paul beat 58-year-old Mike Tyson - causing the stream to crash. But Crawford - a three-weight world champ with 41 straight wins - says he and 67-fight icon Canelo are the real stars of the show. He said: "Me and Canelo is the talent without me and Canelo this wouldn't be happening. "So me and Canelo are definitely making this event as massive as possible given the work and body of work that he's put in the sport the body of work that I've put in the sport. "The accomplishments that he has, the accomplishments that I have in the sport. "So when you look at it, we did this together with the work that he did and the work that I did." 3 The mutual respect extended to a dinner together with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh - a day before their Riyadh launch press conference. But Crawford promised to leave a bad taste in the ring as he said: "I don't need no dislike to fight Canelo. "I don't need to hate him, I don't need to dislike him. But come fight night, the dislike and the hatred will be there." Canelo has won titles in four divisions and remains the sport's biggest draw after 20 years as a professional when he started aged 15. Crawford meanwhile defends his prized undefeated record at the Las Vegas Raiders' £1BILLION, 65,000-seat stadium. And he dubbed it the most important fight of his life as he looks to replicate the same success he achieved at 140lb and 147lb. He said: "Everything is up for grabs. Three-time undisputed, three different weight classes, going up two weight divisions. "Undefeated in the 168 division in Canelo Alvarez. Another all-time great, Hall of Famer in Canelo Alvarez. Everything is on the line in this fight." Canelo won back his undisputed throne at 168lb in May with a laboured win over Cuban William Scull, 32, in Saudi. He faced off afterwards with Crawford, 37, who is yet to return since winning the 154 WBA belt last August against Israil Madrimov, 30. And the Omaha hero - who has a street named after him in Nebraska - warned the pressure is shared between the superstar pair. He said: "We both wanna win. I don't see why it's less pressure on me. I wanna win, I don't wanna lose! I'm not gonna lose. "I want to become undisputed in three weight classes." 3
