The highly anticipated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-vs.-Terence Crawford showdown on Sept. 13 will be the first fight financed by Turki Alalshikh to have a knockout bonus, Alalshikh announced Friday at the kickoff press conference for the Netflix-streamed undisputed super middleweight title bout in Riyadh.
The lead promoter for Alvarez vs. Crawford is Dana White and TKO Boxing — the venture formed by Alalshikh, White and WWE President Nick Khan earlier this year. White is also the CEO of the UFC, where performance-related bonuses are a regular feature.
“We will not have [a fighter who is running] anymore [on our shows], this is the first thing,” Alalshikh responded when asked how he plans to prevent disappointing “Tom-and-Jerry” fights moving forward.
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“The second [thing], we will have in [Alvarez vs. Crawford] and [future] fights, bonuses for KOs.”
Alvarez’s most recent ring appearance was a historically dreadful bout against Cuba’s William Scull. Alvarez (152) and Scull (293) combined to throw the fewest punches in a 12-round fight in the 40-year history of boxing stat-tracker CompuBox. Scull refused to fight with Alvarez, instead choosing to throw pitter-patter jabs and moving constantly. “Canelo” was forced to chase him down and push to engage, but Alvarez’s 34-year-old legs did a poor job of that and it made for an abysmal watch.
The night before — also on a show funded by Alalshikh — Devin Haney (224) and Jose Ramirez (279) combined to throw the fourth-fewest punches at the time in a 12-round fight, while Rolando “Rolly” Romero (280) and Ryan Garcia (210) combined to throw the third-fewest punches ever in a 12-round fight.
After the back-to-back disappointing shows, Alalshikh voiced his frustration with “Tom-and-Jerry” fights and fighters who competed with an unentertaining style. His debuting of the knockout bonus on Sept. 13 serves as an attempt to change boxers’ approaches to fights, reminding them of the need to entertain as well as win.
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Alalshikh did not clarify how much the knockout bonus would be for Alvarez vs. Crawford, although the pair’s combined purses for the superfight are expected to exceed $100 million.
Inside the distance or not, Crawford continued to insist he has what it takes to defeat Alvarez at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and become the first fighter of the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three weight divisions.
“For sure, the belts are coming with me, they’re coming home with me. I’m telling you right now,” Crawford said to Alvarez.
“I know Turki is in your corner,” Alvarez responded, “but look, it’s going to be very difficult. [Alalshikh is] going to be so mad that day, believe me.”
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Alvarez and Alalshikh have had an up-and-down relationship over the past year. Alalshikh said he would crush Alvarez’s fight against Edgar Berlanga this past September with a competing event that night, UFC 306. Alvarez was not impressed by those comments and retaliated against the Saudi boxing financier.
The pair, however, ultimately reconciled and agreed on a four-fight deal this past February.
The second of those four bouts for Alvarez will be against Crawford in September.
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