Canelo Will Close Out 2025 in Las Vegas

Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez is set to finish his 2025 boxing calendar with a highly anticipated fight against Terence Crawford, scheduled for September 13 in Las Vegas. This will be his second bout under the agreement with Saudi promoter Turki Alashikh, who signed him for four or five fights as part of the “Riyadh Season.”

The first event took place in Saudi Arabia, where Canelo faced William Scull in a fight held during early morning hours to suit audiences in Mexico and the U.S. Due to underwhelming TV viewership and poor ticket sales, the fight against Crawford is seen as a chance to restore faith among fans and recoup the investment.

Diego Pacheco Emerging as a Leading Candidate

One potential rival for Canelo in 2026 is Diego Pacheco, who extended his undefeated record to 24-0 (18 KOs) after dominating Trevor McCumby by unanimous decision at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. At just 24 years old, Pacheco is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBO at super middleweight, making him a strong contender for at least one of Canelo’s belts.

In his post-fight interview with DAZN, Pacheco didn't call out Álvarez directly, but made his ambitions clear: “Big fights are coming. I want anyone in the top 10. I’m close to winning a world title. The fans in Los Angeles deserve a great fight with me.”

Pacheco, a Rising Star at 168 Pounds

Although Pacheco didn’t issue a direct challenge, he’s on a clear path toward title contention. He praised McCumby (28-2, 21 KOs) as a tough opponent and revealed he chose him precisely because he expected a real test.

“I stayed behind my jab all night and landed some clean uppercuts when I could,” said Pacheco, who won by scores of 119-109 (twice) and 120-108.

This marked McCumby’s second consecutive loss, following a stoppage defeat against Caleb Plant in 2024. Pacheco, signed by Matchroom Boxing since turning pro in 2018, is now one of the top names being discussed as a future challenger for Canelo Álvarez.