A Show of Silence: Canelo and Crawford Let Their Actions Speak Ahead of Epic Showdown
In the glitzy heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under lights brighter than the desert sun, two of boxing’s modern greats sat side by side—stoic, unshaken, and curiously quiet. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford, the stars of the biggest non-heavyweight fight in years, weren’t there to put on a verbal spectacle. This wasn’t a circus. No venomous insults. No flying chairs. Just the kind of subdued intensity you only see when greatness understands the stakes.
The press conference was supposed to kick off the months-long drumroll leading to their September 13 showdown—a bout already hyped as historic. Instead, it felt more like a poker match. Each fighter clutched his cards close, revealing almost nothing with their words, but everything with their presence.
Netflix will stream the bout live, and millions are expected to tune in. It’s not just a fight—it’s a landmark. And in a sport known for bombastic build-ups, the quietude between Canelo and Crawford was oddly more electrifying than any shouting match could’ve been.
The Real Star of the Press Conference
Before either man even opened their mouth, the spotlight shifted elsewhere—toward Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian entertainment adviser and growing titan in global boxing. He didn’t just attend the press conference. He commandeered it.
Seated closest to moderator Todd Grisham, Alalshikh answered all five media questions directed his way before the fighters were even acknowledged. He painted broad visions of the future—dreams of growing a Netflix partnership, disdain for “Tom and Jerry boxing” (his term for overly technical fights with no action), and casual notes about where he’ll dine with UFC kingpin Dana White on fight night.
His presence was a reminder: boxing is changing. With Saudi Arabia injecting capital and star power into the sport, the new era looks different. Flashier. Glossier. And more political.
But Alalshikh did eventually get to the fight, proclaiming that Canelo vs. Crawford would be “one of the best fights of the last decade.” He even expressed his personal desire for blood and violence in the ring—a curious comment given the refined, counter-punching styles of both men involved.
After holding court for nearly the entire first half of the presser, Alalshikh exited, leaving the fighters to finally step into the verbal ring.
Terence Crawford: The Quiet Assassin
Terence Crawford, undefeated in 41 professional bouts with 31 knockouts, is no stranger to skepticism. Critics raised eyebrows when he agreed to jump two weight classes—from welterweight to super middleweight—to meet Canelo. But if he was nervous, he hid it masterfully.
“I’m good with my last performance,” Crawford said, referring to his recent win over Israil Madrimov at 154 pounds. Though that bout lacked the explosiveness of his previous fights, Crawford seemed unbothered. “It may not have ended in a KO like fans are used to, but I controlled the fight. That’s what matters.”
He acknowledged the challenge of fighting in Canelo’s adopted territory, where Vegas judges have historically leaned toward the Mexican star. “I can only control what I can control,” Crawford said, hinting that a decisive victory is his only insurance against controversial scorecards.
And when asked about Canelo’s legendary durability? “Anybody can get knocked out under the right circumstances,” he said coolly. There was no chest-thumping bravado, just cold, clinical confidence.
Perhaps the most entertaining moment came when Grisham, apparently running out of fight-specific questions, asked who would win in a street fight. Crawford chuckled and brushed it off with a grin. “Come on, man.”
It’s vintage Crawford—never overplaying his hand, never showing too much emotion, always keeping the opponent guessing.
Canelo Alvarez: Legacy, Not Loudness
Canelo Alvarez, the reigning undisputed super middleweight champion, came into this presser just months removed from a lackluster win over William Scull. The performance had drawn criticism for its low engagement and absence of fireworks, something Alvarez pinned on his opponent.
“That fight was a deception,” he said, implying Scull’s reluctance to engage made the bout dull. But he promised fans they wouldn’t get a repeat in September—not against Crawford.
While Crawford might be giving up size and natural weight, Canelo isn’t underestimating him. Quite the opposite.
“Terence is one of the best fighters I’ll ever face,” Alvarez admitted. It was a rare moment of transparency. A sign of real respect.
Still, the confidence of a champion remained intact. When asked whether a loss to Crawford would tarnish his legacy, Canelo didn’t flinch.
“He’s not gonna beat me,” he said simply. “Don’t worry about it.”
The two locked eyes. Crawford grinned in response. That grin said more than a hundred insults.
“For sure, them belts coming with me,” Crawford said. “And there ain’t nothing you can do about it fight night.”
Bling, Belts, and Business
The seriousness of the moment was momentarily interrupted when Rick Reeno, COO of Ring Magazine, emerged onstage with a black felt bag. From it, he pulled out a championship belt so ornate it could’ve passed for royal jewelry.
Designed by a high-end UK-based firm that typically serves monarchs, the belt reportedly cost £140,000 (roughly $190,000). Its diamond-encrusted detail shone under the lights—more trophy than title.
For all the spectacle, the belt is symbolic. This fight isn’t just about legacy—it’s about money, history, and status. Both fighters are expected to earn eight-figure paydays, and the event will serve as a landmark in boxing’s expanding business partnerships with streaming giants and foreign governments.
Source: Say less: Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are quiet but calculated
The Final Staredown
The event concluded with a staredown that, despite the relatively tame dialogue, bristled with tension. Crawford, longer and leaner, stood nose-to-nose with the denser, stockier Canelo. Neither flinched. Neither blinked.
There was no yelling. No pushing. But the silence screamed.
This wasn’t hype. This wasn’t theater. This was two warriors about to walk into a historic confrontation—one fueled not by animosity, but by legacy.
One is a four-division champion chasing the crown of a fifth. The other is a generational Mexican icon defending home turf. And though the world will spend the next three months dissecting their strengths, strategies, and chances, one truth remains:
Neither man needs to talk. They’ll let their fists do the speaking come September 13.
Read More: Calm Before the Collision: Crawford and Canelo Keep It Cool in Riyadh