Canelo Alvarez on course for Terence Crawford super-fight in September amid Jake Paul claims

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has paved the way for a super-fight against Terence Crawford after signing a multi-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh, despite a sensational clash with Jake Paul being under consideration.

The deal is for four fights, with the first set for Saudi Arabia in May and including a September showdown with Terence Crawford, potentially in Las Vegas.

“Canelo in Riyadh in May. The big fight [against Crawford] in September then two more fights in ’26. Don’t mess with the lion,” Alalshikh, who heads Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, said in a social media post.

Dubois vs Parker & Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Book to watch on your TVDubois vs Parker: Watch the fight onlineDubois vs Parker & Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: All the ways to bookAlvarez posted: “Let’s go brother.”

Canelo had appeared to be actively considering meeting social media influencer turned fighter Paul in a boxing event. Paul fuelled that expectation when he posted: “A-Side in every fight I’ve been in and that’s not changing for this one.”

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Alvarez dropped Edgar Berlanga early in their fight.(Photo: Rey Del Rio/Premier Boxing Champions)

It later emerged that talks for Canelo boxing Paul in Las Vegas in May had reached an advanced stage before being discontinued.

Paul’s company MVP Promotions issued a statement saying: “MVP was deep in negotiations for a blockbuster fight between Jake Paul and Canelo Alvarez on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas, a massive event for the Mexican, Puerto Rican and American fans, and it’s disappointing to see how the situation unfolded. MVP operates with integrity, transparency, and respect for the sport, its athletes, and the fans.

“We remain in active discussions with multiple high-profile opponents and are committed to delivering the biggest fights, the most exciting events, and to working with partners who share our values and our commitment to boxing and its fighters.

“Jake Paul isn’t going anywhere, and neither is MVP. We’ll continue to disrupt boxing, on our terms.”

Paul vented his frustration on social media: “Canelo Alvarez ducked me,” he claimed in a post.

“I’m the new face of boxing. You cannot have the biggest fight of 2025 without my name involved. When all of your events tank and lose money you will all realise who the king of the sport is.”

Paul is a licenced professional boxer but he has never fought at championship level. He lost an eight-round split decision to Tommy Fury, the brother of Tyson Fury, as well as boxing MMA fighters, like Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz.

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Speaking on the Toe2Toe podcast Viddal Riley, Anthony Crolla and Gary Logan discuss whether Paul’s clash with Mike Tyson was good or bad for boxing

His bout with the 58-year-old Mike Tyson last November was controversial considering the 31-year age gap between them, but commercially the event was a huge draw and by all accounts the most viewed boxing event of last year.

Boxing Paul would be a novelty for Canelo, who has taken on some of the greatest fighters in the sport, including Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and more, as well as winning a world title as high as light-heavyweight when he beat Sergey Kovalev.

A Canelo vs Crawford fight would match up two of the sport’s pound-for-pound stars.

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Jake Paul admits he didn’t want to hurt Mike Tyson after beating the former heavyweight world champion by unanimous points decision.

Mexican superstar Alvarez has been an outstanding champion for a number of years, going undisputed at super-middleweight.

Crawford has been a world champion in multiple weight classes but is much lighter than Canelo. He began his championship reign at lightweight and went undisputed at super-light and welterweight, beating Errol Spence in their 147lb super-fight.

Last year he moved up to super-welterweight for the first time and took a solid win over Israil Madrimov.

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Terence Crawford moved closer to a potential meeting with Canelo Alvarez as he beat Israil Madrimov at super-welterweight.

But against Alvarez, Crawford wants to test himself against his best opponent, from a weight class higher than he’s ever fought at before.

Crawford stated: “I’m waiting on Canelo in September and going to shock the world in Riyadh Season.”

Daniel Dubois v Joseph Parker and the Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol rematch will be live on Saturday February 22 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!