KSAsportz report
LAS VEGAS — In a historic showdown on Saturday night, American boxing champion Terence Crawford solidified his status among the sport’s elite, defeating Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Álvarez by unanimous decision at Allegiant Stadium, drawing an impressive crowd of 70,482 fans. This fight, part of the Riyadh Season 2025 showcase, saw Crawford reclaim The Ring magazine belt and further bolster his legacy.
With this victory, the 36-year-old Crawford improved his record to a remarkable 42-0, including 31 knockouts, making him the undisputed champion—a distinction achieved by only a few in modern boxing history.
The event was notable not only for its competitive bouts but also for the presence of esteemed guests, including Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and head of the Saudi Boxing Federation, highlighting Riyadh Season’s expanding influence in the realm of combat sports.
The night commenced with a stellar performance by Saudi featherweight Mohammad Al Aql, who outpointed American Travis Crawford over ten rounds, securing a unanimous decision victory.
Other notable undercard results included:
Super middleweight: France’s Christian Mbilli and Guatemala’s Lester Martinez fought to a split draw after ten thrilling rounds.
Junior middleweight: Ireland’s Callum Walsh scored a unanimous decision victory over American Fernando Vargas Jr. after ten closely contested rounds.
Junior middleweight: American Brandon Adams narrowly defeated Ukraine’s Serhii Bohachuk on points in a ten-round battle.
Heavyweight: American Jermaine Franklin outclassed Kazakhstan’s Ivan Dychko, winning unanimously after a grueling ten-round contest.
Featherweight: Japan’s Ruito Tsutsumi delivered the night’s quickest finish, knocking out American Javier Martinez in the first round.
Junior welterweight: Saudi prospect Sultan Al-Mohammed claimed a unanimous decision win over American Martin Caraballo in a four-round bout, receiving enthusiastic support from local fans.
Light heavyweight: Cuba’s Rayco Santana stunned American Steven Nelson with a knockout in the first round.
Junior welterweight: Mexico’s Marco Verde stopped Cameroon’s Sona Akale in the fourth round with relentless pressure.
The Riyadh Season card showcased a mix of world-class talent and emerging Saudi fighters, marking a significant step forward for the Kingdom as it strives to establish itself as a premier location for international boxing.