Undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez delivered a stinging assessment of challenger Terence Crawford during their inaugural press conference in Saudi Arabia, bluntly stating: "He's a great fighter but he's not Canelo." The pound-for-pound elites launched their media tour ahead of the September 13 showdown in Las Vegas, where Alvarez will defend his titles against the undefeated American.
Despite Crawford's status as a two-weight undisputed champion, the 34-year-old Mexican dismissed suggestions of a competitive bout, citing his vast experience gained through 67 professional fights and 27 world-title contests. "They only focus on my power but I have more than that," declared Alvarez, predicting the clash would become "one of my best fights on my record." Crawford, 37, responded with quiet confidence, smiling at Alvarez's assertion he "doesn't look different" before countering: "I'm different. You going to see."
The historic encounter will unfold at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, with UFC president Dana White's new boxing promotion partnering with Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh to stage the event. Alalshikh, whose nation has invested heavily in boxing, opened proceedings by demanding both warriors deliver a "smashing face" spectacle rather than a tactical affair.
Crawford (41-0), who seeks to become boxing's first male three-division undisputed champion, framed the bout as his long-awaited legacy moment. "This is the fight I always wanted," he stated, referencing Alvarez's history with legends like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. "I wasn't able to get those mega fights - this is my mega fight." The groundbreaking event will stream globally on Netflix as part of Saudi Arabia's continued expansion into combat sports.
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