Dana White, UFC CEO and promoter for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight, responded to rumors that Canelo will earn $100 million for the undisputed super middleweight title bout on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. During an interview with Vegas PBS, White confirmed the high payout expectation, noting the fight’s significance with Canelo defending his WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, The Ring, and TBRB belts against Crawford, who moves up from 154 pounds. White highlighted boxing’s pay structure, contrasting it with UFC’s model.
Dana White announced Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford is now the 3rd biggest gate in boxing history 👀
🥇 Mayweather-Pacquiao
🥈 Mayweather-McGregor
🥉 Canelo-Crawford pic.twitter.com/qvYtN0FY8p— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) September 9, 2025
White on the Canelo-Crawford Purse
White said:
“Well, there’s a handful of guys that always make that kind of money. When you look at the UFC, the money is spread across the entire group of guys, you eat what you kill. If you are a huge star like Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey, many people have proven that they could sell PPVs, and you eat what you kill here. We also have guys that would be considered ‘journeymen’ in boxing that make millions of dollars. The whole fighter pay thing is completely not true.”
He added, “Obviously I’m doing this Canelo vs Crawford fight and I don’t think anyone is questioning what these two are gonna get paid.” When asked about the amount, White said, “Well imagine how much it would take to get Canelo to fight Crawford and have a guy move up weight classes when he’s undefeated. Probably ($100 million).”
Canelo’s purses have grown with his stardom. He earned a guaranteed $5 million for the 2018 Golovkin rematch, with total earnings of $50 million including pay-per-view shares. He earned $50 million for the 2021 Plant fight. In 2018, Canelo signed a record $365 million, 11-fight deal with DAZN, the largest athlete contract in sports history at the time, which ended in 2020 after disputes with Golden Boy Promotions.
