Canelo v Crawford set to headline maiden TKO-promoted card on September 12

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford will collide in a colossal world title showdown in Las Vegas later this year with the bout set to be co-promoted by the joint TKO boxing venture of Saudi supremo Turki Alalshikh and UFC president Dana White.

The pair were expected to launch their new sweet science enterprise in 2026 with the launch of the TKO Saudi Boxing League, however, they will now put their partnership into motion a few months earlier than originally anticipated.

'His Excellency', Alalshikh, and White announced a plan to 'shake up the landscape of boxing' back in March when they announced details for the new MMA style based boxing league - a move which representing the UFC chief's long-mooted move into the boxing world.

But whilst the expectation was that the two wouldn't undertake any other boxing promotional activity ahead of the league's launch next spring, Ring Magazine have now revealed that TKO will oversee proceedings for this year's blockbuster clash between Canelo and Crawford.

Mexican superstar Canelo made a successful defence of his undisputed super-middleweight championship this past weekend, seeing off the previously unbeaten William Scull in Riyadh to secure a comfortable unanimous decision victory, to tee-up a mouthwatering affair with another of the sport's biggest names.

Breaking: Canelo Alvarez v Terence Crawford on September 12 in Las Vegas will be the first event promoted by Turki Alalshikh and Dana White's TKO boxing venture. The TV platform will be announced soon.

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Crawford - a four-weight world champion and two-weight undisputed champion - has long been seen as a potential opponent for Canelo, but given the natural size difference between the two men, speculation has always been rife as to whether the pair would be able to find common ground surrounding a fighting weight.

However, those details have now been ironed out with Crawford set to jump up to super-middleweight, meaning two of the sport's pound-for-pound greats will go to war for all of the 168lbs marbles in Las Vegas in what will be one of the most hotly-anticipated fights of the 21st century.

Speaking after reclaiming the IBF title from his Cuban opponent in the early hours of Sunday morning, Canelo said:

"For me the fight with Scull was boring. He was not trying to win, just trying to survive. I hate these kinds of fights, but Crawford is one of the best out there!

"I like to share the ring with that kind of a fighter - it's my pleasure."

The unbeaten Crawford, who began his career in the lightweight division - a staggering 33lbs lighter than the 168lbs super-middleweight limit - told Fight Hub TV that he has no reservations about taking the fight despite a clear weight disadvantage.

"Canelo is the face off boxing, he is the best fighter for Terence Crawford and the biggest fight for Terence Crawford, and that's why Terence Crawford wanted to take the opportunity to share the ring with another great," he said.

"We are fighting this fight so people can see whether the weight makes a difference, and on September 12 the whole world will find out!"

Mark Mothershaw

• Canelo Alvarez v Terence Crawford
• Canelo Alvarez
• Terence Crawford
• Riyadh Season
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