Dana White confusion over Canelo vs Crawford cleared up

Three months ahead of the Canelo vs Crawford event slated for the fall in Las Vegas, confusion is now under control.

It appears that all sides are making some progress on the deal between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

The one thing we do know is Canelo will fight Crawford, supposedly on September 13. Organizers initially set a date of September 12 at Allegiant Stadium, but that has since fallen through.

Clashes with other events necessitated the need for an alternative. However, when asked about it by Mexican media, Canelo said the fight is one hundred percent happening on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

This confirmation suggests that the Canelo vs. Crawford fight is likely heading to the free T-Mobile Arena on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

September 13 is an open date on the T-Mobile Arena calendar.

So, with the date and venue easily confirmed, the question remains: Who is promoting the show?

Turki Alalshikh announced UFC boss Dana White would take the responsibility, only to change his mind a few weeks later.

White had given an interview stating he ‘hates promoting stadium events’, leading to a shake-up and another announcement by the Ring Magazine owner.

“We have confirmed the promoter for Canelo vs Crawford will be Sela for Riyadh Season. The broadcaster we have not decided yet, but the date will be Saturday, September 13. More details soon,” he said.

After radio silence from White over his role in the promotion of the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA super middleweight title clash, the TKO figurehead finally broke his silence.

However, White halted the head scratching by stating his involvement remains unchanged.

“There’s a lot of f***ed up things about boxing, but they don’t say s***,” White said. “Nobody talks. It’s the most amazing thing.

“If we sign a deal, I’ve got to get my phone and say ‘Hey, we just signed,’ because 90,000 people will be out there talking about it. These guys don’t talk.”

Asked if he was promoting Canelo vs Crawford, he responded, “I’m promoting the fight. I’ll let you guys know when it’s time to let you guys know.”

After another question about boxing at the post-fight presser for UFC 316, White was more reluctant to answer.

He said, “I don’t really know [why they announced another promoter]. Listen, when we’re at work in UFC headquarters, I’m in my own little world, man. I don’t pay attention to any of that s***.

“I know what’s going on, I know what we’re doing, I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. It doesn’t matter to me.”

On when the last time he spoke to Alalshikh was, White concluded, “I don’t even remember the last time I talked to him [Alalshikh], but we’re good. We’re very good.”

The words that will appease boxing fans came a short time later on Sunday when Alalshikh added, “My brother Dana will promote this fight.

“It is the fight of Riyadh Season, and we have a deal with TKO to promote it. It will be the biggest fight in boxing, and tomorrow I think I will tell the details, the platform, and the place for this fight.

“(It’s) me and Dana,” he added.

Fans will be keen to make plans to travel for the fight. If it’s going to be Vegas, then it needs to be confirmed by the end of June, so this is good news.

That timeframe gives just over two months until the first bell, when undisputed champion Canelo and Crawford will collide in a Pay-Per-View clash expected to rival Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in terms of PPV price.

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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil Jay is an experienced boxing writer and Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010.