Introduction to Canelo Álvarez and His Recent Fight
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, a renowned Mexican boxer, recently experienced an unexpected defeat in his first official Netflix-exclusive fight. This marks only the third time in his career that Canelo has faced such a setback, and now, the American entertainment platform holds the exclusive rights for his potential comeback.
Record-Breaking Event at Allegiant Stadium
The fight set a new record at the Allegiant Stadium for the largest attendance and gate revenue ($47,231,887), placing it third in the history of boxing revenue. Only two other fights in Las Vegas have surpassed this amount: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in 2017.
Second-Largest Indoor Boxing Attendance in US History
Canelo-Crawford drew the second-largest indoor boxing audience in US history, just shy of the 73,126 attendees who witnessed Canelo’s eighth-round knockout of Billy Joe Saunders in 2021, unifying three super-middleweight titles at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
UFC CEO Dana White’s Impact on Boxing Streaming
Dana White, CEO of UFC, made his mark on the boxing streaming scene with his first foray into boxing promotion via TKO. The event adopted many of the production styles seen in “Fight Night,” adding a fresh perspective to boxing broadcasts.
Attracting Casual Boxing Fans through Netflix
While a single event may not attract new boxing enthusiasts, it does open up another audience segment. The shift from pay-per-view events to a Netflix-like streaming platform allows boxing matches to reach millions of casual fans as part of their subscription.
Gabe Spitzer’s Vision for Boxing on Netflix
Gabe Spitzer, Netflix’s Vice President of Sports, stated: “By moving high-profile fights from the traditional and expensive pay-per-view model to Netflix, we’re making these events accessible to millions of casual boxing fans worldwide who wouldn’t otherwise pay for them.”
Substantial Boxing Streaming Deals
Netflix has not disclosed the amount paid for the exclusive streaming rights to Canelo’s fight. However, recent deals demonstrate their commitment to boxing: Álvarez’s agreement with DAZN (2018-2023, 11 fights) was valued at a minimum of $365 million. More recently, the UFC signed a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount (CBS’s parent company) for its most important fights to air on Paramount+ starting in 2026.
Intimate Moments and the Value of Exclusive Streaming
The unique experience of hearing trainers’ instructions at the end of each round during Canelo’s fight on September 14 resonated with the audience. Fans appreciate these exclusive, behind-the-scenes moments.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez? Canelo Álvarez is a prominent Mexican professional boxer known for his skills in the super-middleweight and middleweight divisions.
- What is the significance of Canelo’s Netflix-exclusive fight? This marked the first time a high-profile boxing match was streamed exclusively on Netflix, potentially opening up the sport to a broader audience.
- How has Dana White influenced boxing streaming? Dana White, CEO of UFC, brought his expertise in event production to boxing streaming, introducing fresh styles and perspectives.
- Why is Netflix investing in boxing streaming? By making boxing matches accessible to casual fans through their subscription service, Netflix aims to expand its sports content offerings.
- What recent boxing deals demonstrate Netflix’s commitment to the sport? Recent agreements, such as Canelo Álvarez’s deal with DAZN and the UFC’s seven-year, $7.7 billion pact with Paramount, showcase Netflix’s dedication to boxing streaming.
