Canelo vs Crawford – Why it’s a breakthrough moment for American boxing

It has quietly sneaked up on the boxing world, but on Saturday night, the biggest fight of the year, Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford will take place.

Pitting two pound-for-pound greats against each other, it is a fantasy fight for the ages and one which will bring the boxing world to a standstill.

It’s not just the fantasy fight element which makes this bout a must-watch, but also the ripple effects it could have for boxing across the United States which in the eyes of some is at a low ebb.

Compared to Britain, boxing in the US has quickly fallen down the pecking order of popular sports. In the UK, boxing is the strongest it has been, even without the frequent appearances from Anthony Joshua.

Sold out arenas every week, unique characters, and a summer full of stadium fights, the sweet science on the British Isles is in a healthy state.

With the number of stadium and arena fights taking place with electric atmospheres, there is no doubt fight fans in the US look across the pond to the UK and have a hint of jealousy.

Yes, the States with cities like New York and Las Vegas remain lucrative to fighters with the vast financial rewards on offer, but let’s be honest, when was the last Stateside main event which generated a buzz within the mainstream. Off the top of my head, I’m struggling.

Canelo-Crawford can change all that.

Taking place at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, it has a major sporting event feel, one which only the biggest of boxing contests generate.

The US is no stranger to holding stadium cards, but they often lack the pomp and ceremony which come with those in the UK. However, with this being the first boxing event staged by Dana White and His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s Zuffa Boxing, they will lay down a marker, sending a message to the sport in America about how marquee matchups need to be showcased.

With Zuffa Boxing being part of TKO who also own WWE, expect a Wrestlemania-like show at Allegiant Stadium, and it needs to be, this contest deserves it. Very rarely do two pound-for-pound greats meet while they are still in fighting shape. Too often have fights of this magnitude taken place too late with those competing looking a shadow of their former selves.

If Canelo and Crawford deliver inside the ring, then it should inspire the sport in America to not be afraid to stage more huge stadium fights and give the platform to the current and next generation of American boxing stars.  

• Read next | The surprising change in Terence Crawford during Canelo camp that has shocked his own team

When done right, stadium fights are the modern-day Roman coliseums, thousands of people packed in to see two fighters settle their differences over 36 minutes of brutal, hard-hitting warfare.

If these become a regular occurrence in the States, it will put boxing on a similar status to the 1980s and 1990s when the country’s biggest names were in action on a frequent basis and commanding huge worldwide audiences.

There is an exciting pool of American boxing talent which has the potential to make boxing in the country great again, and with Netflix broadcasting this fight for the ages to an audience of millions, there is no excuse to not act.

After what has been a lacklustre few years, American boxing needs its breakthrough event and Canelo-Crawford in front of a sold-out crowd could be just what’s needed.

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