Canelo Alvarez has decided to withdraw from a potential showdown with internet sensation Jake Paul, opting instead to sign a lucrative four-fight deal with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
This agreement centers around a highly anticipated superfight with Terence Crawford, scheduled for September in Las Vegas, along with additional bouts in Saudi Arabia planned for February and October 2026. Before facing Crawford, Alvarez will first take on William Scull on May 3.
Scull, the current IBF super-middleweight champion, was originally slated to fight Alvarez in 2024 after being named the mandatory challenger for the title. However, Alvarez chose to vacate the IBF belt rather than face Scull. The Cuban subsequently fought Vladimir Shishkin for the title, winning by unanimous decision in October 2024.
Ahead of the Crawford fight, Alvarez must reclaim the IBF belt to ensure their clash for undisputed supremacy remains a reality. This will also enhance the commercial appeal of the bout and drive pay-per-view revenue. The Mexican superstar is widely expected to secure the win with ease.
Crawford will face a significant challenge as he plans to move up two weight classes for the contest—a bold move that will test the limits of his greatness. He is likely to spend much of 2025 building muscle mass in preparation for the fight, rather than having a tune-up contest.
The Saudi contract and the Scull bout effectively end any speculation regarding Alvarez’s potential fight with Paul, which had been under consideration for May. Alalshikh’s influence led Alvarez to opt for the May 3 bout over the Paul match, although a future fight with the internet star remains a possibility, depending on Paul’s career trajectory.
Alalshikh has been vocal about his commitment to elevating high-profile boxing events. He expressed his opinion that a fight between Alvarez and Paul would not align with Alvarez’s legacy, telling ESPN, “I think Canelo is too young; you can have it in 30 years when you are 60.”
In a lighthearted comment, Alalshikh suggested that instead of the Alvarez-Paul fight, they could bring in YouTube’s MrBeast to create a spectacle, joking, “Let them bring MrBeast, and we can sanction it with Disney for the YouTube belt. Everyone will subscribe and watch it.”
Now, Alvarez has set his sights on regaining the IBF belt and ultimately facing Crawford, and the stakes have never been higher. With a lucrative contract in place and a clear path ahead, the boxing world is eagerly anticipating what promises to be a historic showdown.
