Month: August 2025

The clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, which has a combined purse of $200 million, is less than two weeks away, but the real fight has already spilled outside the ropes – and it’s not between the boxers. For years, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has been accused of showing favoritism toward Canelo. As Mexico’s biggest star and a proven box office draw, every Canelo fight has translated into big money for the sanctioning body.

The criticism grew louder when David Benavidez, despite being the WBC’s mandatory challenger at super middleweight, failed to secure a fight with Alvarez. Whereas when paid enough money, Canelo is ready to fight Terence Crawford, someone he chose. But this time, retired four-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez isn’t letting it slide. In a recent interview, he clashed directly with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman in a fiery exchange.

“When a fighter decides who he fights, sports justice is violated,” Marquez highlighted Canelo Alvarez’s unfair move during an interview with ProBoxTV, directly questioning Sulaiman about Canelo’s standing within the sanctioning body’s structure. “This affects those who have worked to earn their opportunity in the ring. There are many boxers who wait for a legitimate opportunity and don’t receive it because Canelo chooses his opponents.”

Sulaiman quickly fired back, bringing up an old dispute. “Juan Manuel, you and Beristain attacked my father in that famous Televisa trial. Since then, there’s been tremendous prejudice in your comments about Canelo. You can’t deny that story.” He went further, suggesting Marquez’s criticism was rooted in envy of Canelo’s success. 

“Don’t be so envious, Juan Manuel,” Sulaiman said. “You talk as if you don’t see Canelo’s career. The facts speak for themselves: he’s been a world champion for 14 years, he’s defeated 21 champions, and he’s always respected the rules. When he didn’t, like with Golovkin, he was stripped of the title. There’s no favoritism, there’s just facts.”

Marquez firmly rejected that notion, insisting his stance came from defendi

Two more days, and August will be over. That leaves only four months before the world ushers in yet another new year, full of hopes, promises, and big plans. But the end of summer also brings a season of winding down across industries. Sports is no exception. After eight months of drama inside the ring, boxing now has about 120 days to deliver on its promise of high-stakes fight nights. This year has already seen Oleksandr Usyk cement his finesse and class. Fans also witnessed sanctioning bodies lending credibility to Jake Paul, a crossover figure still dividing opinions. The final stretch of the year looks just as busy.

One of the most exciting cards of the year is set for November 22 in Saudi Arabia, headlined by David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde. But before that blockbuster night arrives, September offers a packed schedule that will keep fans glued. Two bouts, in particular, stand above the rest. On September 13, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez faces Terence Crawford in a fight many are calling the clash of the decade. Just one day later, in Japan, Naoya Inoue will defend his four belts against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in an attempt to nullify all opposition to his claim as the best super bantamweight ever. Here’s a breakdown of September’s biggest fights.

Osleys Iglesias vs. Vladimir Shishkin

The month opens with a super middleweight clash between Osleys Iglesias (13-0-0) and Vladimir Shishkin (16-1-0). The Cuban and Russian contenders hold the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the IBF rankings. They will battle for the vacant IBO title.

The fight, promoted by Eye of the Tiger Management and Salita Promotions, takes place on September 4 in Montreal, Canada. Alongside the 12-round main event, the Casino Montreal card will showcase ten-round bouts featuring prospects like Jhon Orobio (junior welterweight), Avery Martin Duval vs. Luis Campos Cortez (lightweight), and Moreno Fendero vs. Boris Crighton (super middleweight).

Michael Conlan vs. Jack Bateson

On September 5, action shifts to Dublin, Ireland. At 3Arena, former interim featherweight champion Michael Conlan (19-3-0) returns to the spotlight. He faces Englishman Jack Bateson (20-1-1) in a ten-round battle for the WBC International featherweight title. Conlan, remembered for his epic 2022 ‘Fight of the Year‘ against Leigh Wood, made a comeback earlier this year. After 14 months away, the Belfast-born fighter beat Asad Asif Khan on points in March. Bateson now stands in his way.

The card also features a strong co-main. Ranked bantamweight contender Charlie Edwards (20-2-0) meets Mexican challenger Salvador Juarez (20-9-2). They will fight ten rounds for the WBC International super flyweight belt.

Eduardo Nunez vs. Christopher Diaz-Velez

Two days later, on September 6, Mexico takes the spotlight. Nogales, Sonora, hosts the return of hometown hero Oscar Valdez (32-3-0). The former world champion faces American Ricky Medina (16-3-0) in a ten-round, 135-pound bout.

But the main attraction is Eduardo Nunez (28-1-0) vs. Christopher Diaz (30-5-0) for the IBF 130-pound title. Nunez stunned the boxing world earlier this year by beating Masanori Rikiishi in Japan to claim the belt. Now he makes hi

Canelo Alvarez was involved in one of the biggest grudge matches in boxing history with Gennady Golovkin, in a rivalry that’ll go down in history.

On September 13, Canelo Alvarez returns to the boxing ring when he takes on Terence Crawford in an undisputed super middleweight title fight.

Ahead of their huge super fight, which will take place from the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the two came face to face earlier this year at the press conference, and they had to be held back by Dana White, who stopped a brawl breaking out.

The brewing rivalry will be something the Mexican is used to as he was involved in one of the biggest rivalries in boxing history with Gennady Golovkin.

Canelo tested positive for banned substance before rematch against Golovkin

In September 2017, Canelo and Golovkin met in the ring

Only two weeks separate fans from what many call the greatest showdown since Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao –  the Canelo-Crawford fight. The flood of videos, debates, and op-eds on the September 13 clash at Allegiant Stadium is staggering. Yet away from that spotlight, as two of the best pound-for-pound fighters battle for the undisputed super middleweight title, another card is stirring diehards. On November 22, David Benavidez faces Anthony Yarde in a rare spectacle featuring five world titles on the line. These two events stand out as the most anticipated shows of the year.

Riyadh Season has been the driving force behind this wave. From the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch to Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn and the ‘Fatal Fury‘ series, it has staged the sport’s biggest, most lucrative events. In 2024, the Saudi Arabia-based festival, backed by the General Entertainment Authority, hosted a string of fight nights that lit up the sporting world. Under Turki Alalshikh‘s leadership, it now even hints at scrapping pay-per-view for future shows, adding intrigue to its model. So how does one organizer stage so many blockbusters and fuel talk of what some have called a ‘Saudi boxing takeover’?

Round 1: Riyadh Season steps into the ring

Before looking at its role in boxing, it helps to understand what Riyadh Season is and what it aims to achieve. Riyadh Season is an event series run by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA). It’s a key part of Vision 2030. Launched in 2016, the vision seeks to drive economic, cultural, and social diversification.

Held each year between October and March, Riyadh Season hosts concerts, music festivals, and, most notably, major sporting events. These range from soccer to combat sports, including Power Slap. By staging such large-scale shows, the organizers have reportedly fueled a surge of tourists and visitors to Saudi Arabia.

Reports show Riyadh Season launched its first edition in 2019. But Saudi Arabia tested boxing earlier. On September 18, 2018, the city of Jeddah hosted a World Boxing Super Series final between George Groves and Callum Smith.

A year later, on December 7, 2019, Diriyah Season, an offshoot of Riyadh Season, staged the much-anticipated Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz rematch. Three years later, on August 20, 2022, Oleksandr Usyk defended his title against Joshua in another major Saudi event.

Riyadh Season’s true entry into boxing came on October 28, 2023. That night, under Turki Alalshikh’s leadership, the festival delivered Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou in a landmark crossover fight.

Round 2: Riyadh’s superfights

What followed was a string of events that shook the sports world. Fans no longer looked only to Las Vegas or Wembley for the biggest fights. They now had another stage to reckon with.

In 2024, the 26,000-seat Kingdom Arena opened and quickly became boxing’s new home. It hosted the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Later that year, the first four-belt light heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol unfolded before the year ended with the Fury-Usyk rematch.

Beyond Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Season delivered high-octane action, including Daniel Dubois vs. Anthony Joshua at Wembley. Yet momentum kept shifting back to Riyadh. The November 22 card now looks set to cap the year and confirm Saudi Arabia as the sport’s new epicenter.

At a time when many believed boxing was in decline, Riyadh Season breathed new life into the sport.

When the bell rings, the money flows

Still, questions remain: how does one promoter continue staging such spectacles, with mind-boggling purses and productions that leave fighters and fans in awe? Still, before we get into the nitty-gritty, it helps to see how top-tier boxers have benefited from Riyadh Season’s arrival.

Huge paydays for elite boxers are nothing new. The record-setting purses of Mayweather and Pacquiao remain untouched. Million-dollar fights were common even in the 1970s and 80s. Though dominated by NBA players, Forbes’ 2025 list of the 50 highest-paid athletes still ranks Tyson Fury at No. 3, with Usyk and Canelo also representing boxing.

What has changed is the scale. Payouts surged to unprecedented levels once Riyadh Season entered the scene. Champions like Fury and Usyk began earning sums never seen before. What’s more, even second-tier stars started collecting purses once reserved only for legends.

The largest expense for Riyadh Season is fighter pa

Shakur Stevenson has made a surprise Terence Crawford revelation ahead of the Canelo Alvarez fight.

Many fans believe size difference will be a key factor in the September 13 contest. They think Canelo, the undisputed super middleweight champion, will be too powerful for Crawford. Fans also doubt the challenger to have enough power in his shots to hurt Canelo.

It’s a genuinely interesting topic of debate with some fans believing that Crawford’s best chance of winning is to use his footwork and movement. Stevenson has now broken that notion with a surprising take.

Stevenson reckons fans will be surprised to see how well Crawford’s power translates to the higher weight division. He told TMZ Sports in a recent interview:

“Bud is ready.

Boxing’s biggest superstar could have been doing something much different with his life.

Canelo Alvarez has long been considered the top name on boxing, having risen to stardom during a career in which he has enjoyed record-breaking success inside the ring.

The 63-2-2 pro has held multiple world titles across four different weight classes and became the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion in 2021.

Not many can hold a candle to Alvarez’s accolades in the sport, and the 35-year-old had to go against his father’s wishes to make that possible…

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Canelo Alvarez’s father wanted him to sell ice cream

Last time out, Alvarez defeated William Scull to become a two-time undisputed super middleweight champ. The bout marked the first on Alvarez’s four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season, which will boost an earnings total for the Mexican that already sits at an estimated $620 million.

Had things gone as planned for Alvarez’s father, though, he’d be earning a living in a significantly different walk of life.

In his early years, the Guadala

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David Benavidez has spent years chasing a shot at Canelo Alvarez. In the end, he was forced to move up a weight class empty-handed. Determined not to let history repeat itself in the light heavyweight division, the 28-year-old set his sights on Dmitry Bivol. He was the WBC’s mandatory challenger after Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev in their undisputed rematch. By then, the undefeated Mexican had already made a statement with a dominant win over David Morrell, positioning himself as the No.1 in line for Bivol’s WBA title as well.

However, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh had no interest in making that fight instead choosing to focus on the trilogy. To make matters worse, Dmitry Bivol vacated the WBC belt to avoid the matchup, seemingly prioritizing a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev. That plan collapsed when Bivol underwent back surgery for an old injury, delaying everything further. Now, David Benavidez, with the WBC title in hand, is gearing up for a fight against Anthony Yarde on November 22 in Riyadh. Still, Benavidez remains confident he’ll get to face them all—Canelo, Bivol, and Beterbiev—before his journey is over.

“I’m probably going to have to take the hardest route out of any fighter because this side of the street there’s Beterbiev, there’s Bivol, there’s maybe Canelo in the future,” Benavidez told Fight Hype in a recent interview. “I’m fine with that. That doesn’t scare me at all.” Notably, Beterbiev, who wasn’t happy about Bivol’s withdrawal before the trilogy, is now scheduled to face WBA No. 11 contender Deon Nicholson on the same card as Benavidez.

This means Benavidez must wait even longer for a shot at Bivol or Beterbiev. Despite the delays, however, Benavidez appears unbothered and patient. “Well, the first thing that keeps me cool at peace is [that] I’ve been making really good money. And also, you just can’t rush it, bro. Everybody has their time,” Benavidez said. In the meantime, though, Benavidez seems happy about “getting better… getting more experience… [and] becoming more of a household name.” 

Interestingly, the reason Benavidez isn’t worried about the repeated delays is because of HE Turki Alalshikh. Benavidez seems confident that the Saudi Royal is willing to make all those fights eventually. “It looks like it’s very close to [happening]. Like I said, Turki Alalshikh is willing to make all these fights happen,” Be

Canelo Alvarez has faced some incredible opponents during his career.

Alvarez may not have named Gennady Golovkin as the hardest hitter he’s faced but it’s rivalries like that which have helped turn him into one of the sport’s top stars.

There doesn’t appear to be any bad blood between him and Terence Crawford ahead of their huge super fight on September 13.

While Crawford has also shown that he thrives under the brightest lights, the same can be said for his next opponent and that’s exactly why this has been a dream matchup for so long.

Alvarez may not always have personal issues with his opponents but that certainly wasn’t the case when he faced off with an undefeated opponent in 2021 following a war of words.

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Canelo Alvarez set an attendance record when he stopped Billy Joe Saunders in 2021

Billy Joe Saunders had been a controversial figure in the boxing world for some time before he faced off with Canelo Alvarez in May of 2021.

The two men clearly didn’t like each other but that only made their meeting in the ring even more exciting, as the Brit put his undefeated record and WBO belt up against Alvarez’s WBA, WBC and The Ring super middleweight titles.

While the matchup was competitive, it came to an end in the eighth round when Saunders’ team threw in the

Throughout his career, Canelo Alvarez has fought several all-time greats and made a lot of money along the way.

On September 13, Canelo Alvarez will return to the boxing ring for the first time since earlier this year when he takes on Terence Crawford in one of the biggest fights in recent memory.

The event will be the inaugural event by Dana White and his new boxing promotion TKO Boxing, after he and Turki Alalshikh announced their historic partnership at the start of the year.

And anticipation is building high ahead of the undisputed super middleweight matchup, and earlier this year during the press conference, White had to step in to break up a near-brawl.

Both fighters will undoubtedly be earning a huge purse for the super fight, despite the result of the fight, which Canelo knows very well about.

Canelo Alvarez earned career high purse despite shock loss

Throughout his career, the Mexican champion has fought several big names in the sport, including Floyd Mayweather, who handed him his first ever loss.

And it was after his second professional loss that Canelo reportedly earned the biggest purse