For decades, American boxing fans have grown accustomed to shelling out $70–$100 for pay-per-view events. But on September 13, the long awaited showdown between Canelo Álvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford will break that mold. It will stream live on Netflix at no extra charge beyond a monthly subscription.
With more than 81 million Netflix subscribers in the United States. Most fight fans won’t pay more than the platform’s $7.99 monthly fee to see Crawford challenge Álvarez for his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
It’s the first time a true boxing “mega fight” will bypass the traditional pay-per-view model since it became standard over 30 years ago. For many U.S. fans, the move represents a dramatic lowering of the financial barrier to one of the sport’s biggest events.
Mexican Fans Left Wanting
The reception in Mexico, however, has been far less celebratory. For years, Álvarez’s fights have been broadcast free-to-air on TV Azteca. Allowing millions of fans to gather and cheer on their national icon. Before that, his fights aired on Televisa, Azteca’s chief competitor.
But Netflix’s exclusive worldwide deal means that for the first time in 16 years, a Canelo fight will not be available on free Mexican television. Current estimates place Netflix’s subscriber base in Mexico at about 14 million, a fraction of the nationwide audience that typically tunes in when Álvarez fights.
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaimán criticized the arrangement. Saying the decision deprives the Mexican people of a cultural moment on one of the country’s most celebrated holidays.
“The Mexican people will be deprived of shouting with joy on the night of this traditional Mexican holiday, cheering on their idol,” Sulaimán said in a statement.
He urged Netflix to reconsider, proposing a compromise. Broadcast the fight live on Netflix for paying subscribers. But allow TV Azteca to air a delayed telecast later that same night after the América vs. Chivas soccer match.
High Stakes in the Ring
Beyond the broadcast controversy, the matchup itself is historic. Guadalajara’s Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) enters as only a slight favorite against Omaha native Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs). Who is moving up two weight classes for the bout. Both are four-division world champions, and Crawford currently sits at No. 3 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list five spots ahead of Álvarez, who ranks eighth.
With titles legacies, and perhaps boxing’s future broadcasting model on the line. September 13 will be remembered as a landmark date for the sport. Though not every fan will experience it the same way.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
