The entire nation of Mexico has placed its hopes on Canelo Alvarez. The undisputed super middleweight champion is preparing for what many consider the biggest fight of his career this Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, streaming live on Netflix. The magnitude of the event is reflected in his staggering fight purse. According to multiple reports, the ‘Cinnamon’ will earn an astonishing $150 million, while Terence Crawford is set to pocket $50 million.

Beyond finances, Canelo Alvarez also appears to have the upper hand, boasting advantages in odds and sheer muscle mass. If that wasn’t enough, this will mark Terence Crawford’s debut at super middleweight, and with no rehydration clause in place, all signs point to Canelo holding the edge. Yet, despite the seemingly favorable circumstances, Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. has issued a word of caution for his fellow boxing legend.

Win can only come one way for Canelo Alvarez!

Speaking to Latinus, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. said, “With all due respect, if he doesn’t knock out Crawford, then who is he going to knock out?” The Mexican legend believes there’s only one way for Canelo to cement his legacy: “If Canelo doesn’t knock him out, he loses.” It’s worth noting, however, that despite his reputation as a power puncher, Alvarez hasn’t secured a knockout in his last six fights. 

Some argue that since his loss to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, the 35-year-old has become more cautious in his approach. Still, that hasn’t stopped him from reminding opponents of his power. Since his trilogy bout with Gennady Golovkin in September 2022, Canelo has scored knockdowns against every opponent—except William Scull earlier this year, who fought a far more defensive fight than his other opponents.

Crawford may very well adopt the same strategy, which could present challenges for the Mexican star. Even so, Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, is confident a finish is inevitable. “I know we’re going to knock Crawford out, I’m sure we’re going to knock Crawford out, and we’ll see what happens next,” Reynoso declared to Latinus. And the good news is, fans may indeed witness the knockout everyone is waiting for.

A lucrative bonus is on the line for Canelo vs. Terence Crawford

Beyond the humongous purse for the fight, a lucrative incentive has been added to raise the stakes even higher in the upcoming fight. As revealed earlier this year, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh confirmed that post-fight bonuses will be given to fighters who score a decisive knockout during their fights.

“We will not have [a fighter who is running] anymore [on our shows], this is the first thing,” Alalshikh said back in June. “The second [thing], we will have in [Alvarez vs. Crawford] and [future] fights, bonuses for KOs.” It would be interesting to see whether this incentive really motivates the boxers to end the fight before the final bell.

From the looks of things, Alalshikh has done everything he can to make the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight an action-filled affair. However, only time will tell how the fight actually turns out. Do you think there will be a knockout?