MMA personality Daniel Cormier is just as enthusiastic as many others about the upcoming boxing showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. He`s particularly excited that the promotional efforts for the fight will be led by UFC CEO Dana White.
Set for September 12th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, this event is scheduled to be the main attraction for White`s first TKO Boxing promotion. Crawford (41-0), a champion across four boxing divisions, is moving up in weight to 168 pounds to challenge Canelo (63-2-2).
Canelo`s recent performance against William Scull the prior Saturday was seen by many as underwhelming, resulting in a decision win in a fight with minimal action from either competitor. Although this title defense drew significant criticism on social media, it allowed Canelo to consolidate his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion and remain on track for the fight with Crawford.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier commented on the timing of the superfight and praised his boss, Dana White, for his capability to ensure the Canelo vs. Crawford matchup remains a major talking point leading up to September.
“They are two of the absolute best boxers on the planet,” Cormier stated. “They are definitely not past their prime; these are exceptional fighters, both still in peak condition. Unlike many UFC champions, who are often over 30, these fighters are in their athletic sweet spot, around 30 to 35.”
He acknowledged, “Perhaps the fight would have generated a bit more buzz a couple of years ago before Canelo`s recent showing. That being said, Dana White is going to promote this. And because Dana White is promoting it, I anticipate it will bring a completely different level of interest to boxing.”
Cormier added, “While they are still in their prime, I personally wished I could have seen this fight a few years ago when Canelo was lighter. I thought Canelo was better fighting at 154 or 160 pounds before adding more muscle. Regardless, I expect this to be a massive event, one of the biggest pay-per-views we`ve witnessed, highly competitive. And I truly believe that the added element of Dana promoting it, along with Riyadh Season, will make many more people engage with what`s happening in this huge fight.”
White is collaborating closely with Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh to organize the September 12th card. Alalshikh has emerged as a significant influence in the boxing world, investing substantial sums to facilitate highly demanded bouts, including multiple Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury fights. However, this strategy saw some mixed results the previous weekend with boxing events in New York`s Times Square and Riyadh, where prominent fighters like Canelo, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney did not fully deliver in their featured appearances.
Despite recent events, Cormier remains confident that Canelo vs. Crawford will be a much more compelling contest, particularly with White`s involvement.
“It`s a colossal fight,” Cormier remarked. “I hope it delivers on or even surpasses expectations. Growing up, it always felt like the two best fighters were matched up when the time was right. It still feels like we haven`t missed the window for these two. I believe this will be a significant, high-quality, exciting, and genuinely competitive match between two of the premier boxers globally.”
“Mark your calendars for September 12th at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas,” Cormier concluded. “Promoted by Dana White, TKO, and Riyadh Season. Make sure to tune in to watch Canelo Alvarez defend his Ring Magazine championship against the formidable Terence Crawford.”
