Turki Alalshikh wants a violent spectacle for this Saturday\u2019s mega fight between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez on Netflix. During Thursday\u2019s press conference, promoter Turki reminded the key players that he doesn\u2019t want a \u201cTom and Jerry\u201d style fight. He wants to see \u201cblood\u201d and \u201csmashed faces.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the kind of fight that four-belt undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) prefers, and the one he\u2019ll be trying for.<\/p>\n
Turki\u2019s Quest for Blood<\/p>\n
With Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) moving up multiple weight divisions after an extended layoff of 13 months, it\u2019s not expected that he\u2019ll accommodate Turki\u2019s wishes to turn the fight into one that involves broken bones, \u201csmashed faces,\u201d and \u201cblood\u201d for the masses that will be watching on Netflix. Crawford just wants to win and doesn\u2019t care how he does it.<\/p>\n
The Nebraska native Crawford could be retiring after this fight. So, there\u2019s less incentive for him to go along with Turki\u2019s wishes to turn this fight into a violent spectacle that could end badly for him. Terence, 37, knows that if he wins, he\u2019s got an excellent chance of being offered a rematch with Canelo and a pay increase from what he\u2019s receiving for Saturday\u2019s fight.<\/p>\n
Mount Rushmore in Jeopardy<\/p>\n
Even if Canelo bitterly rejects the idea of a second fight if he\u2019s given a controversial defeat, Crawford would likely be offered a big payday by Turki to fight someone else. He would probably draw the line if Turki wanted him to fight against David Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol, or Jaron Ennis. Those fighters could mess up Terence\u2019s legacy by defeating him by knockout or a one-sided decision.<\/p>\n
Crawford\u2019s hopes of one day being on the All-time great list and the Mount Rushmore of boxing could be spoiled if he fought those talents. That\u2019s just a small list. There are fighters at 168, 160, and 154 that could wreck Crawford\u2019s hopeless dream of making it to the Mt. Rushmore status. For example, Canelo\u2019s sparring partner, Yoenli Hernandez, could be kryptonite to Crawford in my view.<\/p>\n
A Netflix Spectacle or Snorefest?<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see blood, smashed faces, and broken bones,\u201d said Turki Alalshikh during the press conference on Thursday about his expectations for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford once-in-a-generation showdown.<\/p>\n
You can\u2019t blame Turki for wanting to see a violent fight between Canelo and Crawford, as this is going to be a clash that millions of people will watch on Netflix. He needs this to be an entertaining fight, and if it fails to deliver, he\u2019s going to look bad for his decision to hand-pick Crawford. This is his creation. Turki is the one who wanted Crawford for Canelo, not the fans.<\/p>\n
If Crawford doesn\u2019t do his part to make it exciting, it\u2019ll reflect badly on Turki, because he could have used his money to pick more proven fighters who have shown a history of being involved in entertaining fights. Having watched Crawford\u2019s fights since the start of his career in 2007, he has never been a fighter considered a must-watch.<\/p>\n
The Gold Standard of Entertainment<\/p>\n
If the gold standard for entertainment is former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, Crawford would be the lead standard in my view. I would have never chosen him for Canelo if it were up to me. I\u2019d have selected a more proven fighter who is known for going to war, like David Benavidez or Artur Beterbiev. Either of those fighters would have been excellent choices to fight Canelo on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I said last week, I hate Tom and Jerry\u2019s kind of boxing. I am sure they will deliver for me, smashing face and blood. This is boxing,\u201d said Turki.<\/p>\n
Chris Williams is a senior writer for Boxing News 24, covering the sport since 2013 and reporting ringside from major events worldwide. His coverage dives into both established champions and hungry prospects battling for recognition. Over the years, Chris has contributed to numerous leading boxing outlets, earning respect for his sharp analysis and insider perspective.<\/p>\n