Canelo vs Crawford getting closer..... (wink, wink)

[Spicoli]

Most fights are manufactured to an extent. This is the showbiz and marketing side of boxing. This is being brilliantly built. You can see professional marketing and promotional handprints on all of this.

Most big fights do not need to be manufactured to this extent. Crawford is going up two weights against the established champion. There was no demand for this fight by boxing fans but I will be watching in the hope Bud can win.

Then the marketing and promotions is doing its job. For the fact that you admit that there was no real demand, but has you and average fans hyped up about it to be over analyzing it is proof positive.

But being 'hyped up' for something is completely different from simply acknowledging its mere existence . I'll remain pretty skeptical about TKO and Dana riding this as a promotion debut trojan horse into boxing. Canelo literally said he'll get no credit for beating him . And then the Turki came flapping. To me, two of the very best Stateside fighters basically opted out of huge fights in their respected divisions and want to be anointed ATG for it. If anything, this is a backdoor 'name$ meeting for the sake of name$' manufacture on both. Next thing you know we'll have a cruiserweight fighting a lightweight who opted out of big fights also and it will come off as a massive event. But hey boxing.

[Master]

This should be bigger than it is. Netflix not doing a good job. Crawford is chasing greatness if he wins this huge legacy fight.

[Master]

Turki Alalshikh wanted Alvarez and Crawford to face each other, and - as he does - he got what he wanted. The cheque-book did the convincing.

Alvarez will earn a reported purse of $150m (£111m). Crawford, long frustrated by smaller purses, will take home at least $10m (£7.4m), with the total pot expected to top $200m.

This fight is the equivalent Hagler v Leonard for me.

[Master]

This is getting more and more exciting. Crawford getting booed is wrong. No rehydration clause, catch weight, going up 2 weights to take on the undisputed. He will be a legend if he wins!

[Master]

Crawford looks good at the weight.

[Master]

Crawford reaction to the boo's.

[TitoFan]

Turki Alalshikh wanted Alvarez and Crawford to face each other, and - as he does - he got what he wanted. The cheque-book did the convincing.

Alvarez will earn a reported purse of $150m (£111m). Crawford, long frustrated by smaller purses, will take home at least $10m (£7.4m), with the total pot expected to top $200m.

This fight is the equivalent Hagler v Leonard for me.

Hagler and Leonard were both ATGs, characterized by taking on all comers and all challenges. No marinating... no ducking... no diva bullshit.

The comparison falls apart before it even begins.

[TitoFan]

Again... I'll give Crawford all the credit in the world if he pulls off the upset. But I don't think he will. In which case Ginger gets NONE of the credit.

[Spicoli]

Really have not followed much of this lead up and really not invested in either outcome. But a few random things come to mind as far as fight itself. Only way I can see Bud scoring a ko is to actually bust Canelo up badly. And I wouldn't completely rule that out, but slight chances. The two division jump coupled with 1 fight in the span of over 2 years at his age is the height of irresponsibility and the feel of phoning it in from Bud, just can't get around that. There are serious questions as to his cardio and effects on speed and how his effective switch hitting will play out. But unlike Charlo, I think if Bud is dropped or hurt his instinct will be to look for quick payback. Of all scenarios, I cannot see Crawford going into strict survival mode and making it a track meet. He will fight and that could very well speed up a downfall...then again when's the last time Canelo was in a dog fight?! You simply cannot deny that Canelo had been "fighting from his golf cart" for a few years now. Physically he's on a slide, but also mentally I have no idea where he really is. He's clearly been coasting and even on occasion refusing to step on the gas and widen leads or close shows. At what stage did it go from being a willingness to do so and become an inability to do so? Fair play to either hand raised but I just do not buy all the "instant GOAT" talk that comes with a Crawford W. That's not how it works and 1-2 wins do not put you in all time elite. And while I hear all the talk about multi division champ and great belt collector etc. let's all go ahead and try to name all the greats he was unifying with at 135-140. I dunno, I have no idea whatsoever what will happen tonight. But personally, I will have always preferred a tried and true route by top tier champions and been much more interested in Canelo-Benavidez and Crawford taking names in a stacked 154 or then a venture to 160. Big fan of Bud but this manufactured match up will always feel like a guy trying to, in a very strange way, take a shortcut to greatness. But it is what it is, may the best man win. Oh and exactly WHEN does this card start. I assumed Netflix would be airing the full undercard ala every other Riyadh Season card but that doesn't seem to be the case.

[Spicoli]

Brandon Adams repeats win against Bohachuk via Unanimous 10 rounds. Thought it was a much closer fight, pretty good fight. Kellerman on the mic not exactly the Kellerman I remember . Kissing the ring way too much. Sounds like he wants to "talk to Dana about making a BMF belt" .