- Jake Paul accuses Canelo Alvarez of backing out of their fight to sign a lucrative deal with Riyadh Season, including a megafight against Terence Crawford.
- Alvarez reportedly prioritized the Saudi offer, citing high stakes and financial incentives, disappointing fans of the anticipated clash with Paul.
- Paul criticized Alvarez for choosing money over their fight, questioning his claims of only fighting “real fighters.”
Jake Paul has called out Canelo Alvarez, accusing the four-division champion of avoiding their anticipated fight to sign a blockbuster deal with Riyadh Season. In a dramatic twist, Alvarez reportedly walked away from the agreement with Paul, opting instead for a lucrative partnership that includes a megafight against Terence Crawford.
What really went down? Let’s break it all down.
Canelo Reportedly “Ducks” Paul
Jake Paul fired back at Canelo Alvarez on Friday night, claiming the Mexican fighter backed out of their potential matchup. Paul went public through a social media video, where he accused Alvarez of prioritizing money over their fight.
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Sources revealed that Paul and Alvarez were finalizing a deal to lock horns on May 3 in Las Vegas. ESPN’s Mike Coppinger even reported that both camps were in the final stages of negotiation, and an official announcement was expected soon.
However, everything changed when Alvarez suddenly signed a four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season. This agreement effectively canceled the highly-anticipated clash with Paul, disappointing fans and creating a media stir.
Exposing Canelo🤦🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/oY5A6isKVR
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 8, 2025
Why Did Alvarez Sign with Riyadh Season?
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According to insiders, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, offered Alvarez an irresistible deal. The package included a megafight against former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford, set for September 13 in Las Vegas.
Notably, Alalshikh warned Alvarez that the Riyadh Season offer would be off the table if he proceeded with the Paul fight. This pressure reportedly played a significant role in Alvarez’s decision.
Paul’s Explosive Response
Jake Paul didn’t hold back in his video response, where he accused Alvarez of being “money-hungry.” He criticized Alvarez for choosing big paychecks over their fight, calling out what he believes to be shady deals.
“You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your next nut,” Paul said. “These sports-washing, shady characters are paying you hundreds of millions of dollars to stop our fight from happening.”
Paul also questioned Alvarez’s claim that he only fights “real fighters.” While Alvarez took a subtle dig at Paul by saying, “Canelo only fights real fighters,” Paul fired back, pointing out Alvarez’s upcoming bout with Crawford, a former lightweight fighter.
“Claiming he’s not fighting YouTubers? Bulls—,” Paul said. “He’s fighting Crawford, a 135-pound fighter, and running from a real fighter like David Benavidez.”
Can Alvarez’s Star Power Outshine Paul’s?
Jake Paul, a social media sensation turned boxer, continued to challenge Alvarez’s status as boxing’s top star. Paul claimed that any fight Alvarez takes this year will draw less attention than his own bouts.
“You call me a YouTuber, but you’ve never had a boxing match as big as mine,” Paul declared.
Paul’s confidence isn’t baseless. Despite being relatively new to the sport, his fights have drawn massive audiences. For instance, his November fight against 58-year-old Mike Tyson peaked at 64 million concurrent streams on Netflix.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
At 28, Jake Paul has built an 11-1 record and remains one of boxing’s biggest attractions, even with his novice skill level. The canceled fight with Alvarez could have been a defining moment, but he’ll likely pivot to new opportunities.
Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez, at 34, continues to dominate the sport. As the unified champion at 168 pounds and a former 175-pound champion, his legacy is already cemented. His decision to fight Crawford, ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter, will undoubtedly attract attention.
Share Your Thoughts
What do you think about the fallout between Jake Paul and Canelo Alvarez? Did Alvarez dodge the fight, or was his decision purely business? Let us know in the comments below!
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