Just the other day, boxing insider Rick Glaser bestowed a new moniker on Terence Crawford. ‘I’m going to call him “King,” as King Crawford has a quality sound to it,” he said. Given Crawford’s recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Japan, Glaser reflected on the age-old wisdom – ‘To the victor goes the spoils.’ With the super middleweight’s four belts, his third undisputed championship, and $50 million, the Nebraska native is indeed flying high. After all those years fighting in the sidelines, he deserves it. However, if what Eddie Hearn said stands true, then his achievement might have exacted a price.

One, paid by Turki Alalshikh. Hearn’s appearance at Ariel Helwani’s show has sent alarm bells across the boxing world. According to the Matchroom boss, despite the streaming and gate records and Canelo and Terence Crawford‘s $150 million paycheck, Turki Alalshikh and his team might have suffered a financial hit. Many lauded Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural event at T-Mobile Arena. Still a few, like Eddie Hearn, seemingly prefer to hold it under the lens.

Eddie Hearn: Canelo vs. Crawford missed the mark

Speaking about Zuffa Boxing’s purported plans to hold a ‘Contender Series’ in 2026 that likely resembles the UFC format, Hearn shed some light on the potential layout of schedules. “I think their model will be the league, the content, whatever they want to call it. And then I think they’ll delve into some big shows during the year,” he said. Helwani promptly cited an example – the Canelo-Crawford showdown.

Only, it forced Eddie Hearn to spill the tea on some hard truths. “I don’t think the reality is I don’t know the numbers, but there was probably a loss on that show because of the deal that Turkey did with Canelo and Crawford, and, you know, he really looks after the fighters and, you know, the costs involved in a Saudi Rad season show,” the Matchroom honcho stated.

He speculated if the Zuffa Boxing-Riyadh Season collab would risk staging another show of such magnitude. “Now, every big fight we do runs the risk of making a loss. That’s just boxing. You just hope that the numbers, you know, are good enough and solid enough at the end that it’s a profitable game.”

Another followed. Reflecting on Dana White’s claims about staging some of the biggest shows in history, he pointed out – funded by Riyadh Season, Canelo vs. Crawford was Turki Alalshikh’s brainchild.

A rivalry to push the sport to new heights?

The noise of Eddie Hearn’s sharp critiques now reverberates across the boxing world. Falling on either side of the fence, followers have invariably taken sides. But one might as well take a look at Rick Glaser’s nuanced take.

Speaking about Hearn and White’s rivalry, the New York Boxing Hall of Fame (NYBHOF) inductee stated, “Competition drives some to greatness; Bob Arum & Don King had each other to drive each to great heights,” he said before raising a poignant question: “Could Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn become the next Arum vs. King battle royale?”

Ever since Zuffa Boxing stepped into the ring, legacy promoters have been sitting on pins and needles. With the exception of a few, most currently work in tandem with Riyadh Season. So a clash of thoughts and ideas is bound to take place.

Fans should watch out for this space as more such intriguing conversations emerge.

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn’s take on the Canelo-Crawford loss?