The anticipation surrounding the upcoming bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford continues to build as the two champions prepare to face off in one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year. Scheduled for Saturday, September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the contest will mark Canelo’s first defense of his undisputed super-middleweight title.
Crawford, 37, is aiming to make history by becoming undisputed in a third weight division, a feat never before accomplished in the four-belt era. Both fighters have already begun a global press tour that has taken them to Riyadh, New York, and Las Vegas, further amplifying the magnitude of the matchup.
Speaking to reporters after their initial press conference, Canelo made headlines by offering high praise for his opponent. “I think Crawford is a little better than Mayweather, but I have more experience right now,” Álvarez said, referring to Floyd Mayweather Jr., the undefeated former champion who handed Canelo his first professional loss in 2013.
Pacquiao acknowledges the comparison but highlights their differences
In response to Canelo’s comments, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao was asked to share his thoughts in an interview with Pro Boxing Fans. Without endorsing one fighter over another, the Filipino legend acknowledged the difficulty of making such comparisons.
Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez attends a news conference at T-Mobile Arena on June 27, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez is scheduled to defend his titles against Terence Crawford on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
“It’s a different style, you know. I mean, they’re both good fighters, so it’s hard to compare yourself to others,” Pacquiao stated.
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Mayweather famously defeated a 23-year-old Canelo in a dominant unanimous decision in 2013, capturing the WBC light-middleweight title and handing the Mexican his first career defeat. Two years later, Mayweather met Pacquiao in the long-awaited ‘Fight of the Century,’ a welterweight unification bout that generated massive global attention.
While Mayweather won that fight via unanimous decision, the bout fell short of fan expectations, drawing criticism for its lack of action despite its historic buildup.
Crawford looks to make history in Las Vegas
As the September 13 clash approaches, Crawford enters the ring with a perfect record and an undisputed resume at both lightweight and welterweight. A win over Canelo would make him the first male boxer to become undisputed champion in three separate divisions in the four-belt era.
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The upcoming super-fight will also be a rare meeting between two reigning undisputed champions—Canelo at super middleweight and Crawford previously at welterweight—further underscoring the significance of the event in boxing history.
