Inside the T-Mobile Arena: The glittering Vegas venue where ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will fight Jermell Charlo

The countdown to the scintillating match-up between ‘Canelo’ Álvarez and Jermell Charlo is nearly at an end. The Mexican is putting the super middleweight title on the line to try to land the American’s four super welterweight belts. And the venue for the fight, the T-Mobile Arena, could well be considered the Mexican boxer’s second home in Las Vegas. He’s fought here seven times, with five wins, one draw and one loss.

Santos Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez Barragán returns to the ring for one more night. The Mexican’s desire: reunite two divisions in a stellar fight, and if possible do it knocking out his opponent Charlo.

Intent on unifying two divisions in this headline fight, he’s candid about his knock-out aspirations. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to knock him out. That’s always the mentality—you prepare with the aim of finishing the fight by KO,” the champ confesses. As the dust settles on final preparations, T-Mobile Arena stands ready to welcome its reigning gladiator and his formidable challenger.

What is the T-Mobile Arena like?

Though it has only been a part of the Vegas landscape since its 2016 inauguration, the T-Mobile Arena has rapidly become a cornerstone of sporting excellence in this city of rock and roll...and sin. Co-owned by mogul Philip Anschutz of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, and MGM Resorts International—a global leader in hospitality—the arena’s construction costs soared to an eye-watering $500 million, making it one of the most expensive, modern arenas in the world.

Despite its relative infancy, the venue has already played host to a cavalcade of star-studded entertainment events, featuring iconic acts such as Guns N’ Roses, The Killers, Nicki Minaj, and Ariana Grande. Its versatile layout also accommodates a myriad of sporting events, ranging from NBA matches featuring the LA Lakers, exhibitions by the Harlem Globetrotters, to hockey games as the home ground for the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights. With its succession of WWE and UFC fights, the T-Mobile Arena has firmly established itself as the heir apparent to the legendary MGM Grand Arena.

Canelo’s fights at the T-Mobile Arena

‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs Amir Khan: May 7, 2016.

Julio César Chávez Junior vs ‘Canelo’ Álvarez: May 6, 2017.

Gennady Golovkin vs ‘Canelo’ Álvarez (tie): September 16, 2017.

‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs Gennady Golovkin: September 15, 2018.

‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs Daniel Jacobs: May 4, 2019.

‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs Dmitry Bivol: May 7, 2022.

‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs Gennady Golovkin: September 17, 2022.