The Journey to the Fight
The journey leading up to Terence Crawford’s monumental fight against Canelo Alvarez on September 13 was anything but simple. Following a flurry of intense discussions, Alvarez and Turki Alalshikh ultimately struck a four-fight agreement in February that notably included a showdown with Crawford. This arrangement unfolded amidst competing offers for Alvarez from Most Valuable Promotions regarding a potential matchup with Jake Paul.
Negotiation Challenges
The negotiations between Alvarez and Alalshikh were complicated by their previous tensions, yet many believed Crawford’s negotiations with Alalshikh would be smooth given their rapport and the high stakes of facing one of boxing’s most prominent figures. However, that turned out to be a miscalculation.
In a conversation on “The Art of Ward” podcast with former champion Andre Ward, Crawford recounted the challenges he faced during those negotiations. He stated that initially, Alalshikh was hesitant about the fight, primarily due to concerns about the size disparity between him and Alvarez.
Despite these reservations, Crawford was adamant that he wanted to step up to this challenge, dismissing other potential opponents like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis or Vergil Ortiz as insufficient for his career progression.
Stepping Up to the Challenge
The boxing community was taken aback by Crawford’s decision to elevate two weight classes to take on Alvarez, particularly given his recent performance. Crawford, currently regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter by Uncrowned, transitioned up to super welterweight (154 pounds) in August 2024, successfully snagging the WBA title from Israil Madrimov after a challenging match that required him to go the distance for the first time in eight years.
The Negotiation Process
Crawford described the grueling nine-hour negotiation process in a small room during Shakur Stevenson’s fight in Saudi Arabia. He depicted a high-pressure situation where he was left on his own to negotiate while several Saudi officials and Alalshikh’s representatives pushed for an agreement. The discussions saw them going back and forth on terms while Crawford felt isolated, wanting to speak directly with Alalshikh, who was kept out of the room to prevent any favoritism.
The moment was tense, rife with frustration as the parties involved realized they needed to reach a compromise to escape the drawn-out talks successfully. Crawford recounted, “It felt like they were trying to jump me… So we finally came to terms that day. It wasn’t what either side initially wanted, but we met in the middle, and everyone just wanted to get out of the room.”
A Historic Achievement
Ultimately, despite the hurdles, Crawford’s persistence paid off, leading him to a historic win against Alvarez that captivated more than 41 million viewers on Netflix, marking a monumental achievement as he became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to secure undisputed titles across three different weight classes.
