Canelo Alvarez signs 4-fight deal with Riyadh Season

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Turki Alalshikh has revealed a four-fight deal between Canelo Alvarez and Riyadh Season is done. Alalshikh has also shared that the first fight will be held in Riyadh in May.

The Ring has learned of the following plan:

Fight in Riyadh in May
Big fight in Las Vegas vs Terence Crawford in September
Big fight in Riyadh in February 2026
Big fight in Riyadh in October 2026

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Does anyone else think Canelo used Paul’s name to negotiate bigger money from Turki

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CANELO AGREES TO BLOCKBUSTER FOUR FIGHT DEAL WITH RIYADH SEASON - DETAILS REVEALED

In a stunning twist of events, Turki Alalshikh - head of Riyadh Season and the General Entertainment Authority - sensationally revealed on Thursday night that a four fight deal has been reached between Riyadh Season and Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

"Don’t mess with the lion ... 4 fights for Canelo with Riyadh Season … The Deal is done … A Lion doesn’t lose sleep over opinion of a sheep… Fear the lion not the jungle," Alalshikh announced on social media.

Alalshikh would then post a video to social media, where he revealed certain aspects of the four fight plan.

According to Alalshikh, the first fight is expected to take place in the month of May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout will officially mark Canelo's debut with Riyadh Season.

The Ring has learned that Canelo's May return will NOT come against social media influencer Jake Paul - as widely reported in the media.

The sensational announcement caps a week of twists and turns.

On Monday, The Ring first reported that Canelo had an agreement in place to defend his super middleweight titles against fellow four-division world champion Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Just 48 hours later, The Ring had learned that the Canelo-Crawford fight was off - as rumors began to circulate that Canelo was closing in on a deal to face Paul on May 3 in Las Vegas.

Thursday was a wild roller-coaster ride for the sport of boxing.

Reports began to erupt that Canelo and Paul were on the verge of completing their deal.

Boxing insider Mike Coppinger of ESPN would then report that Alalshikh had "suspended his efforts" to finalize a three fight deal between Canelo and Riyadh Season.

And the day was capped by Alalshikh's explosive news-breaker of a "four fight" Riyadh Seaosn deal with Canelo.

As previously stated, the first bout will take place in the month of May in Riyadh. Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger reports that Jermall Charlo and Bruno Surace, who upset Jaime Munguia, are two possible options.

According to a source with knowledge of the details, Canelo will then return in the month of September in the planned mega-fight with Crawford - in a Riyadh Season headliner taking place in Las Vegas.

Canelo would then take part in another major fight, in February 2026, back in Riyadh. According to Coppinger, some of the options on the table include: a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, Hamzah Sheeraz and Chris Eubank Jr.

And last but not least, Canelo will headline a fourth Riyadh Season card on a date to be revealed in October of 2026 - in Riyadh.

[Jimmy2025]

Disappointed about the location of the fights. Mexican fans make a great atmosphere in border towns, the West Coast, Nevada and Mexico itself. Riyadh shows are boring by comparison. BUT that is just down to me as an older fan and what I like.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Does anyone else think Canelo used Paul’s name to negotiate bigger money from Turki

Wouldn’t surprise me if one of the fights were against Paul

There’s certainly more chance of him agreeing to fight Paul than agreeing to the fight everyone wants to see - Benavidez

[Ruthless-RKO]

Does anyone else think Canelo used Paul’s name to negotiate bigger money from Turki

Wouldn’t surprise me if one of the fights were against Paul

There’s certainly more chance of him agreeing to fight Paul than agreeing to the fight everyone wants to see - Benavidez

Turki's not a fan of Paul

[CaptainSpacerod]

Does anyone else think Canelo used Paul’s name to negotiate bigger money from Turki

Wouldn’t surprise me if one of the fights were against Paul

There’s certainly more chance of him agreeing to fight Paul than agreeing to the fight everyone wants to see - Benavidez

Turki's not a fan of Paul

But he’s a fan of broadening Saudi Arabia’s appeal and softening its image and Paul can help in doing that with the Gen Z kids

[golden_labrador]

Does anyone else think Canelo used Paul’s name to negotiate bigger money from Turki

Wouldn’t surprise me if one of the fights were against Paul

There’s certainly more chance of him agreeing to fight Paul than agreeing to the fight everyone wants to see - Benavidez

Turki's not a fan of Paul

might be why he does allow it - maybe he just watched the BJS fight and cackled

[Jimmy2025]

Wouldn’t surprise me if one of the fights were against Paul

There’s certainly more chance of him agreeing to fight Paul than agreeing to the fight everyone wants to see - Benavidez

Turki's not a fan of Paul

But he’s a fan of broadening Saudi Arabia’s appeal and softening its image and Paul can help in doing that with the Gen Z kids

You may be right but I'm not so sure the Saudis want to attract the type of people who follow Jake Paul and the like. There's broadening appeal and there's selling out your values completely.

[THEBUTCH]

It really needs to happen in 2025 before the age element becomes a detraction.....but my God would i love to see Beterbiev v Alvarez. Two of the most skilled, hard hitting and rock solid warriors in the business

[funso banjo baby]

Normally 4 fights would take us into 2035

[THEBUTCH]

Although it's unlikely to be repeated, Canelo boxed 4 times in 11 months a few years ago ! This is almost unheard of nowadays.

Then over the next 3 calendar years Alvarez boxed twice a year in May & September.

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[jamesmcdonnell]

It really needs to happen in 2025 before the age element becomes a detraction.....but my God would i love to see Beterbiev v Alvarez. Two of the most skilled, hard hitting and rock solid warriors in the business

I think Beterbiev would smash him.

[cormack]

Does anyone else think Canelo used Paul’s name to negotiate bigger money from Turki

good for him if he did - JP been using name after name for years to hype up his hype train

[cormack]

So the four fight deal may pan out like this -

a warm up level opponent in may to get ready for crawford

the big one vs crawford in sept

then 2 more which are likely to include the bivol rematch
Then probably will have to have a mando at 168

[THEBUTCH]

james McDonnell, Canelo isn't a pushover for anyone and has proved he can compete at Light heavyweight.

Beterbiev wins IMO but it would be one hell of a fight in the process.

[Coco]

james McDonnell, Canelo isn't a pushover for anyone and has proved he can compete at Light heavyweight.

Beterbiev wins IMO but it would be one hell of a fight in the process.

Canelo is hardly short of cash, but imagine what he would earn between Crawford, Biv and Beter

[golden_labrador]

james McDonnell, Canelo isn't a pushover for anyone and has proved he can compete at Light heavyweight.

Beterbiev wins IMO but it would be one hell of a fight in the process.

would love to see it

[Autobarn]

apart from the more productive schedule, the choice of opponents seems pretty similar to what we'd expect from old Nutmeg.

Glad at least that the Saudis are hoping for Benavidez, although it's not part of that schedule. I do like the quality and economy of Canelo and think it would make a wonderful style contrast, to see him vs a high volume puncher like Benavidez - or Ramirez, who obviously moved on and did good work at cruiserweight.