What fights are on the undercard of the Canelo vs Crawford event?
By @codecamcode
What fights are on the undercard of the Canelo vs Crawford event?
The undercard for Canelo vs Crawford is still coming together, but organizers have hinted at some big supporting fights to make this a memorable event from top to bottom. Turki Alalshikh expressed that he wants a "mega-event" feel, and accordingly a couple of high-profile matchups are in the works:
• Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martínez (Super Middleweight Bout): Alalshikh has said he hopes to stage a fight between Christian Mbilli and Lester Martínez on the undercard. Mbilli is the WBC interim super middleweight champion (29-0, 24 KOs) and a rising star, while Lester Martínez (19-0, 16 KOs) is a hard-hitting contender from Guatemala. This would be a battle of unbeaten 168-pounders – essentially a title eliminator – which fits perfectly on a card headlined by the undisputed 168 champ. Both guys are action fighters, so expect fireworks if this is finalized. One note: Martínez recently had to pull out of a fight due to a medical issue (occipital neuralgia), so his health clearance by Sept 13 is a factor. If he's good to go, fans will be treated to a potential slugfest in Mbilli-Martínez. (Fun fact: Crawford has even been sparring with Lester Martínez in preparation for Canelo, and Martínez is also mentioned as Canelo's backup opponent just in case – which underlines his involvement in this event.)
• Jared Anderson vs Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller (Heavyweight Bout): Another marquee fight Turki is aiming to put on is an all-heavyweight showdown between Jared Anderson and Jarrell Miller. This is intriguing: Anderson (15-1, 14 KOs) is a 25-year-old seen as a future American heavyweight star, and Miller (26-1-2) is the controversial but imposing veteran who last fought Andy Ruiz to a draw. It's a crossroads fight – Anderson looking to rebound from a recent loss and prove himself, Miller trying to stay relevant. The idea of the "Battle of the Big Babies" (both have had the nickname Big Baby) has been floated and would bring some heavyweight thunder to the card. As of the latest, both fighters have shown interest. Anderson is ranked top 10 in some orgs, Miller is coming off that Ruiz draw in August. This fight isn't confirmed yet, but negotiations are apparently ongoing.
• Other Potential Fights: Apart from those two, the undercard could feature a mix of international and regional talent. Given the Saudi involvement and Netflix exposure, they may include fighters from various countries. One name already locked in is Lester Martínez in some capacity (if not vs Mbilli, he might face someone else or be on standby). We might also see a showcase for a Middle Eastern boxer or perhaps a women's championship fight (to tap into a broader audience). The Ring Magazine reported the undercard might be more stacked than typical, almost like a mini PPV beneath the main event.
The organizers know that with a stadium show and Netflix broadcast, a strong undercard will keep fans engaged for hours. They even mentioned potentially having the Jarrell Miller vs Jared Anderson fight as a co-main in Vegas, or if not possible by Sept, possibly shifting to a November Riyadh card. So things are fluid, but the intent is clear: deliver high-profile fights.
Additionally, expect at least one Mexican fighter on the card (to cater to Canelo's fanbase and the Mexican Independence weekend vibe) and maybe a prospect from the US (since it's in Vegas). We'll know the finalized lineup as the date approaches, but if Mbilli-Martínez and Anderson-Miller land on the undercard, it instantly becomes one of the best top-to-bottom fight cards in recent memory.
(Sources: Ring Magazine report on undercard plans; Turki Alalshikh via Mike Coppinger noted hopes for Mbilli-Martínez and Anderson-Miller; social media hints.)