Fight of the Century Draws Global Spotlight as Saudi Arabia Sets New Benchmarks in Sports and Entertainment
By Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili
In a landmark moment for global sports and entertainment, the much-anticipated bout between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence Crawford, staged at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as part of Riyadh Season 2025, has become the most-watched boxing match of the century. Streaming exclusively on Netflix, the event attracted over 41 million viewers worldwide, setting a new benchmark for viewership in the sport.
The showdown, which ended in a unanimous decision victory for the American Crawford, drew a record-breaking live audience of more than 70,000 fans the largest ever for an indoor boxing event in U.S. history. The gate revenue exceeded $47.2 million, marking the highest single-day income in Allegiant Stadium’s history. With this victory, Crawford became the first boxer in history to claim undisputed titles in three different weight classes, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The event featured an unprecedented production scale, involving over 1,200 personnel and 55 cameras to deliver a truly cinematic sports experience recognized as the most extensive production in modern boxing.
In the lead-up to the main event, fans witnessed an electrifying Public Workout session featuring five high-stakes undercard bouts. Highlights included undefeated Kazakh fighter Bek Nurmaganbet taking on Steven Sumpter, and Cuban knockout artist Yoandy Toirac facing off against Skylar Lacy. These matchups added depth and intensity to an already historic night.
The success of the event further underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the global entertainment and sports stage, largely driven by Riyadh Season and the strategic leadership of HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
Beyond boxing, Riyadh Season also celebrated a creative milestone. The GEA’s creative partner, Big Time Creative Shop, became the first agency from the Arab World, Africa, or Asia to win a prestigious Emmy® Award. The agency took home the honor in the “Outstanding Promotional Announcement” category for its work on the Usyk vs. Fury: Reignited campaign, showcasing the Kingdom’s rising stature in global media innovation.
In another major achievement, the traveling entertainment experience “City Hub” concluded its 98-day journey across seven Saudi cities, attracting over one million visitors and generating more than 10,000 jobs. With 49 diverse events tailored to families, youth, and children, “City Hub” demonstrated the GEA’s commitment to cultural accessibility, economic impact, and regional inclusion.
As Saudi Arabia continues to deliver world-class events and creative excellence, it solidifies its position as a global powerhouse in entertainment turning vision into reality and audiences into believers.