At the gala of the boxing bible “The Ring” in London, the assembled elite of boxing arrive in London. It’s about more than just the awards from the legendary magazine. Behind the scenes, boxing mogul Turki Al-Sheikh is working on perhaps the biggest fight of the year – and it’s not Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury.
As “The Ring” reports, boxing mastermind Turki Al-Sheikh met “separately” with Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford at the magazine’s gala in London to explore a fight between the boxing superstars.
It has been learned from several sources “that extraordinary efforts are being made to set up the fight later in the year,” says the report in the “Bible of Boxing”. According to “ESPN” reporter Julius Julianis, there is already a deal for a duel in September.
Al-Sheikh recently became the owner of Boxing Magazine, founded in 1922. The comeback of the print magazine was widely celebrated in London, and “The Ring” also presented its prestigious awards for 2024.
Boxing: “Productive Conversations” on Canelo vs. Crawford
On the sidelines of the gala, which was held for the first time in this form, Al-Sheikh met with Alvarez, among others, to discuss “big business” for 2025. The Mexican Alvarez – currently by far the biggest boxing powerhouse in the USA – is one of the very few boxers who have so far escaped Al-Sheikh’s sphere of influence.
Last year, the super middleweight world champion (up to 76.2 kg) gave the Saudi mastermind the cold shoulder when Al-Sheikh first expressed his desire for Canelo vs. Crawford. Instead of appearing in Al-Sheikh’s program as part of the “Riyadh Season”, Alvarez boxed as usual on the sidelines of Mexican Independence Day in Las Vegas – entirely according to his conditions.
According to “The Ring,” “productive talks” have now taken place in London between the Canelo camp and Al-Sheikh. A day later, the boxing mogul discussed the situation with Crawford.
The American had jetted into the English capital without further ado when his name was mentioned. “I’m like a genius when you rub your lamp,” Crawford wrote on social media. “If you ever call me, I’ll show up to grant you a wish, because I’m a free genius, not one in handcuffs.”
Duel of the Grandmasters would be something very special
Crawford was crowned welterweight king (up to 66.68 kg) in 2023 with a victory over his US rival Errol Spence Jr. Last year, the 37-year-old moved up to light middleweight (up to 69.85 kg) and won the WBA title with a points victory against Israil Madrimov.
If Alvarez and Crawford actually meet, it would be a duel between one of the two best boxers in recent history. Both Alvarez and Crawford have achieved world championship honors in four weight classes to date. For Crawford in particular, the fight would be both a risk and an opportunity for legendary status: he would have to move up two weight classes.