THE way the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Terence Crawford mega fight was finalized is one for the books.The progress of the negotiations went back and forth. Just when it seemed the fight was a done deal, an announcement to the contrary would be made.At the forefront of the negotiations was Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority which is behind the Riyadh Season.The Riyadh Season is a series of entertainment, cultural and sporting events held in Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh Season has been paying boxers handsomely and is responsible for staging some of the biggest fights in the sport in recent years.At the other end of the negotiating table was Mexican Alvarez, the unified (WBA, WBC and WBO) super middleweight (168 pounds) champion who was looking to be paid unbelievable money for a high-risk fight with Crawford.Alvarez, 34, had been accused of asking for absurd purses to dodge dangerous opponents.Last year, Alvarez allegedly asked for $150 million to fight David Benavidez of Phoenix, Arizona. Obviously, the fight fell through because of such outra-geous demand. Benavidez, 30-0, with 24 knockouts, is considered the biggest threat to Alvarez.Alvarez apparently tried to do the same thing with Alalshikh. He knew the Riyadh Season organizers have the money to burn and tried to ask for the moon for a fight with Crawford.Alalshikh, however, beat Alvarez to the punch.With the Crawford fight seemingly in the bag, the venue (Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas) even being announced, Alvarez suddenly pulled out of the nego-tiations and announced that he was fighting YouTuber Jake Paul.This move was clearly made by Alvarez to convince Alalshikh to put more money on the table. Alvarez's argument is simple: A fight with Paul is guaran-teed to bring a whole lot of money at lesser risk. As the Crawford fight carries more risk, Alalshikh should offer more dough.Alalshikh, though, was not interested in an Alvarez-Paul fight. He was not ready to make a gargantuan offer for a circus.Simply put, Alalshikh did not take Alvarez's bait. What followed is a masterstroke from Alalshikh.Alalshikh recently purchased The Ring magazine, the oldest and most respected boxing publication in the world. When Alvarez appeared to be leaning on a fight with Paul, The Ring immediately reported it. Fans unanimously denounced the fight and Alvarez took the full brunt of the criticisms.Alvarez ended up calling off the planned fight with Paul. Alalshikh still came up with a huge offer but this time he made it a four-fight deal, including the Crawford fight. Alalshikh was willing to pay huge money, but not for one fight.As things stand, Alvarez has accepted the four-fight deal.The deal will kick off on May 3, when Alvarez faces IBF super middleweight champion William Scull of Cuba in Saudi Arabia.Alvarez was previously the undisputed super middleweight champion.In July 2024, the IBF stripped Alvarez of its title after the Mexican refused to fight mandatory challenger Scull. Alvarez opted to fight Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga in September 2024 and successful-ly defended his remaining titles (WBA, WBC, WBO) with a decision victory.Alvarez chose Scull because a win over the Cuban will make him undisputed super middleweight champion again. Alvarez putting at stake all four belts against Crawford in September will give the fight an extra marketing boost.Crawford had been crowned undisputed champion in the junior welterweight (140 pounds) and welterweight (147 pounds). He is currently the WBA and WBO interim junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion.Scull, who fights out of Germany, totes a record of 23-0 with 9 knockouts. He has not faced quality opposition and will be a huge underdog when he faces Alvarez.Alvarez's four-fight deal, thus far, includes Scull and Alvarez.If Russian Dmitry Bivol beats Artur Beterbiev on Feb. 22 for the undisputed light heavyweight (175 pounds) championship, Alvarez is likely to include Bivol in his hit list.In May 2022, Bivol outboxed Alvarez in 12 rounds, handing the Mexican only his second professional defeat. Alvarez incurred his first setback in Sep-tember 2013 against Floyd Mayweather Jr.The fourth opponent in the list remains unknown. Boxing fans can only hope it will finally be David Benavidez.Of course, Crawford has plans of his own. If Crawford scores the huge upset win over Alvarez, the four-fight deal may have to be altered to include a rematch.
