Canelo vs Crawford becomes the third most expensive fight in boxing history

Great stories are sometimes written before the first punch is thrown. Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez’s week against Terence Crawford began with a revelation that shook the boxing world: their fight is now the third-highest-grossing event in the history of the sport.

The news didn’t come from a traditional promoter or the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Instead, it was announced by Dana White, president of the UFC and a newcomer to boxing promotion through his new venture, Zuffa Boxing.

In an interview with KSNV News 3 Las Vegas, White confirmed that the card at Allegiant Stadium has surpassed nearly every boxing event in gate revenue, trailing only two defining blockbusters of the past decade: Mayweather–Pacquiao (2015) and Mayweather–McGregor (2017).

The numbers put into perspective the scale of what will unfold Saturday in Las Vegas. Mayweather–Pacquiao set the all-time record with $72.2 million at the gate. Two years later, Mayweather–McGregor brought in $55.4 million. Until now, the third spot belonged to the first meeting between Canelo Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin, which generated $27.1 million.

That record is already history. Next Saturday’s showdown at Allegiant Stadium has sold nearly to capacity—65,000 seats—without a single dollar from pay-per-view sales. It is already the third-highest-grossing boxing event ever.

This number helps explain the anticipation surrounding a fight that also carries every super middleweight belt in Canelo’s possession. The Mexican champion arrives as the undisputed king with a record of 63-2-2, shouldering the weight of his country’s boxing legacy. Crawford, undefeated in 41 fights, has moved up two weight classes to take on a challenge many consider disproportionate—but impossible to ignore.

It’s rare to see a pound-for-pound great leave his comfort zone to fight a larger opponent on such a monumental stage. That boldness is part of what has electrified fans.

The fight is historic in another sense as well: it marks the official debut of Zuffa Boxing, the promotion launched by White alongside Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. White had teased an entry into boxing for over a decade, criticizing its business model and promising a new way to promote fights.

The launch could not have had a grander showcase: a Netflix-streamed card, produced with UFC’s signature presentation, inside one of Las Vegas’s most modern venues. If the goal was to disrupt boxing with a bang, mission accomplished—even before the opening bell.

The gap between the sport’s two richest events and the rest of the field has always been vast. The leap from Mayweather–McGregor’s $55 million to Canelo–Golovkin’s $27 million seemed unbridgeable. Álvarez and Crawford have now filled that void, carving out space that once seemed reserved for Mayweather alone.

What stands out is that this achievement comes without inflated pay-per-view numbers, which in the past accounted for much of the revenue. This time, it’s pure gate receipts and commercial partnerships.

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What began as a stylistic clash has already become an economic and symbolic milestone. Before a punch is landed, Canelo–Crawford has secured its place in history.

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