Canelo Alvarez, the renowned Mexican boxer, has officially entered into a four-fight agreement with Riyadh Season, potentially setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash with Jake Paul. The announcement was made by Turki Alalshikh, head of Riyadh Season and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, who took to social media to share the news, stating, “Don’t mess with the lion.”
Alvarez responded enthusiastically on social media, expressing his excitement: “Let’s go brother.” The first fight under this new deal is scheduled for May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Speculation surrounds the possibility of Terence Crawford, the reigning welterweight champion, being Alvarez’s opponent in a subsequent bout. Crawford himself hinted at this matchup, stating on X, “I’m waiting on Canelo in September,” and added that he plans to “shock the world in Riyadh Season!”
According to reports from Ring Magazine, a fight between Alvarez and Crawford is tentatively planned for September in Las Vegas at the Allegiant Stadium, a venue that has hosted numerous high-profile events. Crawford, who recently triumphed over Israil Madrimov in August 2024, is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world and would need to move up two weight classes to challenge Alvarez.
Canelo Alvarez, at 34 years old, has long been a dominant figure in boxing, known for his ability to draw significant crowds and generate substantial revenue. His recent negotiations appear to have leveraged the interest in a potential exhibition match against Jake Paul, a social media star who has made waves in the combat sports scene. Alvarez’s ability to command such a lucrative deal is indicative of the financial influx that Saudi Arabia has brought to the sport in recent years.
In his last fight, Alvarez showcased his skills by outpointing Edgar Berlanga in September, improving his record to 62 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 of those victories coming by knockout. As the boxing world eagerly anticipates his next moves, the potential matchups with Crawford and the allure of a fight with Paul are sure to keep fans engaged in the coming months.