Boxing’s Megafight Gets New Date: Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Update Has MMA Fans Watching

The combat sports world is buzzing with news that has even us MMA diehards paying attention to what’s happening in the boxing ring. Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh just dropped a bombshell through The Ring magazine about the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown. Let me tell you, this is shaping up to be the kind of cross-discipline superfight that reminds me of when MMA and boxing worlds collided for Mayweather-McGregor.

New Date Confirmed, Location Coming Soon

According to Alalshikh, the boxing superfight between undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford has officially been rescheduled. While the exact venue hasn’t been announced yet, having a confirmed date is huge news for combat sports fans everywhere.

I’ve been following both fighters for years, and this matchup has serious potential to be even bigger than some of the UFC pay-per-views we’ve seen lately. The collision of two multi-division champions at the peak of their powers? That’s the kind of matchmaking that makes both boxing and MMA fans drop everything and pay attention.

Why MMA Fans Should Care About This Boxing Superfight

You might be wondering why I’m covering boxing news on an MMA site. Here’s why this matters to us:

• The blueprint for UFC superfights often follows boxing’s lead
• Crawford’s footwork and angle-cutting is studied by many MMA fighters
• Canelo’s counterpunching technique translates beautifully to MMA striking
• The financial model of this fight could impact how UFC structures future megafights

Pound-for-Pound Greatness on Display

Crawford is coming off his dominant victory over Errol Spence Jr. that cemented him as one of boxing’s elite. Meanwhile, Canelo continues his reign as boxing’s biggest pay-per-view draw. This is essentially boxing’s equivalent of a champion vs. champion superfight – exactly the kind of spectacle that gets both boxing purists and MMA fans opening their wallets.

For context, Crawford is moving up multiple weight classes for this fight, similar to what we’ve seen from fighters like Alexander Volkanovski when he challenged Islam Makhachev. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

What This Means for Combat Sports in 2024

Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in combat sports is something I’ve been watching closely. Their investment in boxing superfights might eventually extend to MMA, potentially creating competition for the UFC in securing top-tier talent. The Saudi model of paying fighters unprecedented purses is already causing ripples through all combat sports.

The Technical Matchup

From a pure fighting perspective, this is fascinating. Crawford’s ability to switch stances fluidly and attack from unique angles reminds me of what made Dominick Cruz so special in MMA. Meanwhile, Canelo’s devastating body work and counter-punching is reminiscent of the approach fighters like José Aldo used to dominate.

The size difference will be substantial. Crawford is moving up significantly in weight, but his technical brilliance might be the equalizer. It’s that classic question we love in MMA – can the smaller technical wizard overcome the bigger, powerful champion?

What’s Next?

I’ll be updating this story as soon as the venue is confirmed, likely to be announced within the next week. The smart money is on Saudi Arabia hosting this mega-event, continuing their aggressive push into becoming the new capital of combat sports.

Are you planning to watch this boxing superfight? Does the technical matchup intrigue you as an MMA fan? Let me know in the comments below, and share your prediction for how this cross-divisional clash will play out!

Until next time, keep your hands up and your chin down.

Source: The Ring magazine