LAS VEGAS: Super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and three-time champion in lower weight divisions Terence “Bud” Crawford, appeared on stage together at a press conference on Thursday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, attended by Arab News.
The audience of thousands of boxing fans had a strong Mexican-American presence that favored Canelo, who was born in Mexico.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation — which is sponsoring the fight with Riyadh Season, Netflix and the UFC — thanked Canelo for accepting the match with Crawford, calling it “the biggest fight in the history of boxing.”
Alalshikh emphasized the symbolism of staging it in Las Vegas, a city synonymous with legendary boxing nights: “This is a unique and exceptional moment, with a great company, on a global platform, and featuring two of the sport’s greatest legends.”
Sponsors said the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders football team, is sold out for the fight, which will be broadcast live on Netflix on Saturday.
The press conference emcee declared: “This event will be the most-watched championship-level boxing match in almost 50 years because of Netflix. More people will watch this than any fight since Muhammad Ali fought Leon Spinks in 1978.”
Prior to Canelo and Crawford entering the stage, all of the boxing contenders were introduced, each posing with their fight rivals.
Nine fights are scheduled for the various weight divisions before the spotlight turns to Canelo vs Crawford. When they finally took to the stage, the crowd went wild with excitement.
“I’ve been very proud to represent my people, my roots and my origins … Everybody knows how proud I am to be Mexican,” Canelo said.
“I’ve been living my dream. I’m very grateful for the opportunities, for everything that I’ve had and everything I know, where I came from and where I’ve been. This is a moment for me.”
On the prospect of facing David Benavidez in the future, Canelo said: “I never say no to anything. We’ll see later, but right now my full focus is on this fight.”
He also addressed his training with Jaron “Boots” Ennis: “I always make sure to have great sparring partners in the gym because you need strong opposition in training.
“We have history with this family — his older brother was there when I fought Shane Mosley. I’m happy Jaron joined the camp. He gave me great work.”
Canelo expressed his gratitude to Alalshikh and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for “this once-in-a-lifetime” fight.
“We need to thank Sheikh Turki and Crown Prince Mohammed,” he said, adding that they could have held the fight in Saudi Arabia but chose to do so “here for the Mexican people, for America … I’m very grateful.”
Crawford promised to give the audience “the best fight” and win it “decisively,” provoking jeers from Canelo fans.
But recognizing the large Mexican audience, Crawford offered “a shout out to all my Latino and Mexican fans, because I know you’re out there too.”
Alalshikh said he expects a “great fight,” adding: “They’ll give everything. And I hope, first of all, for their safety.”
Before leaving the arena, both fighters posed face-to-face, with Alalshikh standing next to them along with their boxing coaches and UFC President Dana White, who hosted the event.
