Canelo Alvarez Ditches Jake Paul Bout to Sign Lucrative Saudi Deal

Mexican boxing icon, Canelo Alvarez, has opted out of potentially facing YouTube star Jake Paul in the ring by sealing a high-profile contract with Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. The deal, which comprises four fights, sees Alvarez skillfully use the buzz surrounding a possible showdown with Paul to secure an even bigger agreement. This Thursday, Turki Alalshikh, head of Riyadh Season and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, took to social media to announce the news, declaring, “Don’t mess with the lion.”

Responding swiftly, Alvarez echoed the sentiment on social media, stating, “Let’s go brother.”

The champion’s first match under this new agreement is scheduled for May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Terence Crawford, the long-standing welterweight champion, is rumored to be his second opponent. Crawford expressed his eagerness on social media platform X, remarking to Alalshikh, “I’m waiting on Canelo in September and going to shock the world in Riyadh Season!”

According to Ring Magazine, citing a well-informed source, a fight with Crawford is anticipated for September at Las Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders.

With a reputation as boxing’s top earner for years, 34-year-old super middleweight champion Alvarez leveraged the potential novelty match with Paul to capture significant support from the Saudi Arabian entities that have been heavily investing in boxing lately.

Alvarez’s last appearance in the ring was last September in Las Vegas, where he scored a victory over Edgar Berlanga, advancing his record to 62 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 of those wins coming by knockout.