In a surprising move, the highly anticipated super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s bout against Terence Crawford has been rescheduled to September 13th, following an original date of September 12th. Promoter Turkish Alalshikh’s decision to alter the date, ostensibly for financial considerations, has turned heads in the boxing community. According to boxing journalist Mike Coppinger, Alalshikh is set to choose a venue based on which city can deliver the most lucrative deal. The shortlisted locations include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City.
However, the choice of venue raises eyebrows, particularly concerning New York City. This bustling metropolis might lack the necessary fan engagement for a Canelo-Crawford matchup. Historically, Canelo has drawn crowds primarily in the southwestern U.S., while Crawford has a dedicated yet niche following. The recent Times Square event showcased this phenomenon, drawing only a VIP crowd that failed to encapsulate the broader fanbase. This raises pertinent questions about the priorities of promoters in selecting venues that cater more to financial incentives rather than the heart of the sport — the fans.
Global Press Conferences: A Sign of Changing Times
Another striking aspect of the lead-up to this battle is the announcement of the kickoff press conference, which is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rather than the U.S. This decision makes an uncomfortable statement about the perceived importance of American boxing fans. It seems that the fight is being marketed with an eye toward a global audience, positioning Saudi Arabia as an emerging hub for boxing.
The kingdom has been aggressively investing in mega sporting events, and staging the press conference in Riyadh could be interpreted as a strategic move to foster interest in boxing among local fans. However, this decision runs the risk of alienating the American supporters who have loyally followed Canelo and Crawford throughout their careers. Are these fighters being marketed more as international brands than as champions to their home audience? The implications of this shift resonate throughout the boxing community.
Popularity and Audience Engagement
If the fight unfolds in Las Vegas, it would capitalize on an established boxing culture that has long supported big-name events. However, a critical point of discussion arises around Terence Crawford’s popularity in contrast to Canelo Alvarez’s star power. While Canelo commands a massive following, Crawford’s appeal tends to resonate with a hardcore segment of boxing enthusiasts rather than the casual fan base. This discrepancy could ultimately affect ticket sales and the overall atmosphere of the fight.
The allure of confrontation tends to lean toward fighters who embody a more exciting, brawling style — competitors like Jaron Ennis, David Benavidez, and Gervonta Davis. Crawford, with his more technical fighting style reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather, may not capture the imagination of broader audiences that crave action-packed encounters. Unfortunately, this could lead to a situation where the hype doesn’t match the expected viewing experience, leaving promoters questioning their strategies.
As the countdown to September 13 approaches, the boxing world awaits with bated breath — not just for the fight itself, but for a greater commentary on the evolving landscape of this storied sport. How the promoters choose to highlight these champions, the venues selected, and the audiences catered to will ultimately shape the narrative of this monumental clash.