‘Watch what I do to you’: Terence Crawford vows destruction in Las Vegas during final faceoff with Canelo

LAS VEGAS – T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas hosted the third and final stop of the worldwide press tour for a fight boxing fans have been waiting for: Saul “Canelo” Álvarez vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford.

Álvarez, the biggest star in boxing for much of the last decade, will face Crawford, who many, including analyst Max Kellerman, consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Kellerman highlighted the significance of the matchup on Friday (June 27).

“These are two of the greatest fighters ever,” said Kellerman. “Before Canelo, it was Andre Ward, Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr., Pernell Whitaker, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler. You can count them on one hand.”

The bout, set for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium, will be streamed live on Netflix.

It is expected to be the most-watched boxing event in nearly 50 years, rivaling the 1978 Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks rematch, which drew an estimated 90 million TV sets.

Álvarez has fought twice as many rounds in his nearly 70-fight career and is currently a two-to-one favorite.

The atmosphere was electric during the final press conference, as chants of “Canelo” rang out ahead of the fighters taking their respective seats.

In the potential mega-fight, Álvarez aims to cement his legacy as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time, joining the ranks of Julio César Chávez and Salvador Sánchez.

If, by chance, Álvarez (63-2-2) loses to Crawford, his monumental legacy would take an ultimate hit as Bud is potentially moving up four weight classes in the fight.

Crawford (41-0), undefeated with 31 knockouts and a four-division world champion, is seen as a fierce competitor with a 76% knockout rate.

Kellerman praised Crawford’s aggressive style and finishing ability, calling him “Mean in the ring,” a trait that matters in combat sports.

Speaking of combat sports, the fight is being backed by high-profile figures, including Turki Al-Sheikh, Dana White, and WWE President Nick Khan, signaling a new era of boxing promotion and reach.

White expressed excitement about promoting his first boxing match, praising both fighters and the event’s potential to elevate the sport.

Fans and analysts alike anticipate a historic night that could redefine the future of boxing.

Álvarez spoke about working with White, who is best known for promoting UFC mega-fights.

The bout between Álvarez and Crawford is his first time as a boxing promoter.

“I always like Dana White,” said Álvarez, who got another massive cheer from the crowd. “I respect all the UFC fighters, and I think we can show people that if we come together, we can do big things.

Many UFC fans may not be familiar with Bud. Many of them are getting a glimpse of him for the first time.

However, as Kellerman said, Crawford has a wrestling background, which helps him in the ring.

“I got a lot of fans and friends that’s been in the UFC MMA field, being that I got a wrestling background,” said Bud. When I’m at the UFC Performance Institute, I got so many UFC fans wanting to take pictures they know who I am."

Fans or not, styles make fights, which is why this bout is being hyped, as both men have contrasting styles.

For instance, Álvarez, once a counterpuncher relying on speed and defense, has evolved into a fighter who cuts off the ring and hunts opponents.

Crawford is a switch-hitter with quick hands, long arms, and power, applying his skills aggressively, which were put on full display as the press conference featured intense exchanges between the fighters, including the shoving match at the New York press conference.

“He tried to walk me back, and it was just what my reaction, that’s it,” Álvarez said. “You know what kind of fighter I am. I always try to respect my opponents, and I think he does. I think Turki told him, ‘You need to do something,’ and he did. Before, I respected his word because he said, ‘Oh, I’m not going to let somebody tell me what I need to do.’ And he did so, but you know me. I respect everybody, but if you EXPLETIVE with me, so it’s going to be different.”

When asked about the claims that Turki asked him to rough up the press conferences, Crawford said, “Turki didn’t ask me to do nothing. I didn’t touch him.”

Álvarez: “Oh, you know, you know, you know, we know, buddy.”

Crawford: “First and foremost, somebody was in the room saying that I was scared of them, so I stepped to him and showed them who was the boss of this fight. I ain’t scared of EXPLETIVE.”

Álvarez: “I never said that. Your uncle ‘Turki’ said that, not me.”

Crawford: “I ain’t scared of EXPLETIVE, and you are going to find that out as you saw the last press conference when I walked you down when you were supposed to be the bigger man.”

Álvarez: “You say that because you are fighting with nobody, and you obviously look like a great fighter, but you are going to find out September 13, this is going to be different for you.

Crawford: “It’s going to be different for you as well. The last fighters that you fought they ain’t on my level, and you know that.”

Álvarez: “I fought everybody. Name me one fighter that you fought?”

Crawford: “You! So when I beat you, is you going to be a nobody? When I stomp a mud hole in your EXPLETIVE, are you going to be a nobody? You going to be just like everybody else, watch. The same EXPLETIVE that everybody else has been saying since I moved to 147, ‘I ain’t fought nobody,’ every last one of them, I stump a mud hole in their Expletive, and he is going to be next, watch.”

Álvarez emphasized respect but warned against provocation, while Crawford asserted his confidence in victory.

“I’m a big fan of Canelo. He’s a great fighter, but I think I’m better. I think you know everything that I have inside myself with the tools that I have; I’m capable of doing anything that I want in the ring, and come September 13th, I will become the first male three-time undisputed champion of the world, simple.”

--> ‘People want to see greatness’: Michigan football legend talks Canelo, Crawford mega fight

--> ‘I’m hunting everything he got’: Crawford, Canelo nearly come to blows in fiery New York face-off

--> From ‘what if’ to ‘it’s on’: Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford kickoff press conference rocks Riyadh

--> Global showdown: Terence Crawford, Canelo Álvarez square off with Saudi Arabia press tour

--> Eminem’s hype, Bud’s bite: Terence Crawford is ready to make history vs. Canelo Alvarez in legacy bout

--> Michigan legends attend lopsided Crawford-Spence legacy fight in Las Vegas

--> Mythical sparring session with Michigan boxing legend sets stage for Spence-Crawford legacy fight