Riyadh Season boss Turki Alalshikh used Thursday’s launch presser in Saudi Arabia to slam the brakes on swirling speculation that the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford blockbuster would unfold under Las Vegas sun rather than neon. “Of course it is in the peak hours,” Alalshikh snapped when ESPN’s Mike Coppinger asked about Oscar De La Hoya’s claim that the bout might start during the day. “Oscar wastes my time with this question. This is Canelo and Crawford - boxing’s No. 1 event.”
Alalshikh confirmed the 168-pound showdown will air in prime-time on 13 September from Allegiant Stadium, streaming live on Netflix. While precise bell time remains under wraps, his emphatic response ends travel-planning limbo for fans uncertain whether to book morning or evening flights.
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The Saudi impresario’s quip - joking about a leisurely MGM breakfast with Dana White before “quick fights” and a late-night horror movie - served as a pointed dig at De La Hoya, who first floated the daylight rumor last week. The Golden Boy promoter was not on stage, but the heat felt palpable as Alalshikh defended his event’s premium slot.
Undercard details are still pending, a fact drawing social-media criticism as ticket buyers wait to see which names join boxing’s first Netflix pay-per-view. Alalshikh promised further announcements “very soon,” insisting fans would be “more than satisfied” with the supporting cast.
With location, date and now evening timing locked, the super-fight’s roadshow shifts to New York on 22 June and Las Vegas on 27 June. One major question has been answered; the next involves who will share the stage beneath Canelo-Crawford’s prime-time lights.
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