Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford: How Netflix Is Changing the Future of Boxing

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The Mexican champion’s September tradition continues, but for the first time fans will need Netflix to watch his historic fight against Terence Crawford.

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez’s next fight, traditionally scheduled for September, will this time be against American fighter Terence Crawford—and it’s generating huge excitement among boxing fans. Not only is this one of the most anticipated matchups of 2025, but it also marks the close of the season for the Mexican champion, who has made it a tradition to fight during Mexico’s Independence celebrations.

However, this year brings a major change: the fight will not be broadcast on television.

Unlike previous bouts that could be seen on free-to-air TV, the Canelo vs. Crawford fight—set to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas—will not air on those channels, nor even on delayed broadcast as has often been the case. The reason? Neither of the country’s two biggest television networks reached an agreement with the Mexican boxer’s team. Instead, they accepted a multimillion-dollar offer from streaming giant Netflix, which will broadcast the event exclusively for its subscribers.

The announcement has left many fans puzzled. Online searches have spiked with questions like “Where and at what time can I watch the fight live?” and “Why won’t the fight be shown on TV?”

By striking this deal, Canelo and his team are betting on a new era in how boxing is consumed, bringing the excitement of the ring directly to streaming platforms. That means any fan eager to watch the highly anticipated showdown will need an active Netflix subscription.

Where to Watch the Canelo vs. Crawford Fight

• Date & Time: Saturday, September 13, 7:00 p.m.
• Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Broadcast: Netflix (exclusive live stream)

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez has continued the tradition of fighting in September, a legacy carried by boxing legends like Julio César Chávez, in what’s now considered the most “Mexican weekend” of the year.

Canelo first fought in September 2006, in Guadalajara, against Cristian Hernández, whom he defeated by knockout in the second round. Since then, he has maintained the tradition of headlining fights during Mexico’s national month.

Among his most memorable September bouts was the 2013 match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., where Canelo lost his undefeated record to one of the greatest fighters of recent decades. Later, in 2017, he faced Gennady Golovkin, earning a draw—but came back a year later to defeat him by unanimous decision.

Sports business experts see the move as a seismic shift in boxing distribution. Traditionally, marquee fights were split between free-to-air TV, pay-per-view (PPV), and premium cable. By going with Netflix, Canelo is positioning boxing within the same space as global entertainment content.

“This is more than just a broadcast deal. It’s Netflix entering the sports arena in a way that competes with traditional broadcasters and even Pay-Per-View. If successful, it could mark the beginning of boxing fully embracing streaming as its primary platform.”  Media analyst Edgar Rivera

For fans, the deal is a mixed bag. On one hand, they’ll avoid the often high PPV costs—Netflix subscribers only need their existing plan. On the other, those without Netflix will either need to subscribe or miss the fight.

“Boxing has always been about access—first radio, then TV, then PPV. Now, streaming. This move puts Canelo at the center of a new era, where fights could be bundled alongside movies, series, and live events. It could also open doors for younger fans who are already native to streaming platforms.” Former boxing promoter Alex Camacho adds.

Industry observers suggest that if the Netflix experiment is profitable, other major fighters may follow suit, potentially ending the dominance of PPV in boxing altogether.