On September 13th, the boxing world is set to witness one of the biggest fights of the year. Canelo Alvarez will put all of his super middleweight titles on the line against Terence Crawford, who’s moving up two weight classes to take on the challenge. Naturally, the headliner is bound to draw most of the spotlight. Still, the undercard is stacked with fighters ready to fire up the crowd—and Mohammed Alakel would be there to catch some eyes.

The 21-year-old is set to face Texan boxer Travis Kent Crawford in a super featherweight bout, opening the main card. It’s a huge opportunity for Alakel to shine in front of the Allegiant Stadium crowd. But before he steps into the squared circle against a dangerous opponent, let’s get to know the young prospect a little better! Starting with his nationality and ethnicity. 

What is Mohammed Alakel’s nationality and ethnicity?  

Mohammed Alakel, born June 15, 2004, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a Saudi Arabian fighter of Arab ethnicity. Though he now does a lot of his training via stints in Big Bear, California, he began his professional career in Saudi Arabia. He made his debut on October 12, 2024, defeating Jesus Gonzalez by unanimous decision at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

So, Alakel is one of the proud Saudi fighters, like Ziyad Almaayouf and others, who have been carrying Middle Eastern pride into the ring. Now that we know the 21-year-old prospect’s background and where he comes from, let’s dive into his journey in boxing and take a closer look at his career so far. 

Mohammed Alakel’s Boxing Career 

Alakel must be one of the most talked-about new-age boxers right now. But his rise to stardom didn’t just happen overnight—there’s a whole story and process behind it. At just 10 years old, Alakel first picked up the gloves while his father was in Scotland, pursuing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. According to Al Arabiya, the young prospect revealed that it was during this time in Scotland that he truly fell in love with boxing. 

Since then, Mohammed has trained tirelessly for over a decade before making his professional debut in 2024 against Jesus Gonzalez at the Kingdom Arena. He made a strong first impression, securing a unanimous decision victory. Building on that momentum, the Saudi Arabian boxer went on to claim wins over Joshua Ocampo, Engel Gomez, and Alexander Morales. However, all of those victories came by decision—without a single knockout.

That void was filled when Alakel faced Indian boxer Yumnam Santosh Singh in his last bout on August 16, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he secured a stunning first-round knockout. It’s proof of how practicing and performing consistently can completely elevate a fighter’s skill level.

Now he’s preparing to take a major leap—not just in profile but in challenge—as part of the undercard for one of the most high-stakes shows in world boxing. The full preliminary undercard for Canelo vs. Crawford includes Mohammed Alakel vs John Ornelas, scheduled for 10 rounds in the junior lightweight division.

This is significant because Ornelas brings experience and grit. Though not undefeated, his resume will test whether Alakel’s recent knockout was a one-off or sign of real evolution. If Alakel can show strong fundamentals and composure in this environment—big crowd, big undercard, media eyes—it could mark a turning point. We might see Alakel go from prospect status to contender conversation if he dominates here.

Now, he’s preparing to take a major leap against Travis Kent Crawford on the biggest fight night of the year. The question is—can Alakel deliver on American soil the same way he has in Saudi Arabia and maintain his status as one of boxing’s most exciting rising prospects? Share your thoughts in the comments below.