Since 2009 and non-stop, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez had an agreement with Matchroom Boxing to set up his fights in two specific dates. Las Vegas was the usual place at T-Mobile Arena where the Mexican champion always fought in both Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican Independence Day. But in 2023, the September 16 date no longer has Canelo as the main event. This year, Dana White's UFC has managed to grab this date for the 'Noche UFC' that features mostly Mexican fighters. Guadalajara native Alexa Grasso is defending his title in the immediate rematch against Valentina Shevchenko. But why did Canelo lose this date in 2023? There are multiple factors that we need to consider.
Listen to Canelo's strong message before clash with Charlo
All signs point to Canelo Alvarez next fighting Jermall Charlo.
Alvarezs preferred fight day is Mexican Independence Day but the two main venues in Las Vegas are booked on September 16 with a UFC event and an Alejandro Fernandez concert.
Who will host Canelos next fight? pic.twitter.com/E5LeX2Zmio
? Manouk Akopyan (@ManoukAkopyan) June 29, 2023Dana White snatches T-Mobile Arena from Canelo
The UFC managed to win the T-Mobile Arena venue from Canelo Alvarez's mega fight against multi champion Jermell Charlo. Instead, Alvarez is fighting on September 30, which is two weeks after the traditional Independence Day fight he had been doing in Las Vegas for the last six years. This happened mainly because Canelo switched promoter from Matchroom Boxing to Al Haymon's Premiere Boxing Champions recently. Amid all the process that took long to complete, the T-Mobile Arena owners decided to accept the No. 2 on the line to organize this September 16 event. That is one of the reasons Canelo won't fight during one of his favorite holidays.
Undisputed Super Middle champion Canelo Alvarez signed 3 fight deal with PBC. His next fight as I posted before should be against Jermall Charlo in September 16, then in May & September 2024 #CaneloCharlopic.twitter.com/wx1csHze5A
? #TerajiBudler (@BatmanBoxing) June 23, 2023The other reason is money, PBC wanted to sell as many tickets as possible and the growing UFC audience has been slowly but steadily getting more pay-per-view sales in recent times. Since the UFC is taking the center stage at T-Mobile Arena next Saturday, PBC decided to not choose a different venue on the same date and move Canelo's fight to September 30th. For the first time in 14 years, Alvarez will get to celebrate Independence Day with his loved ones at a party instead of a boxing ring. Although, he will try to fight on the same Holiday in 2024, there is no doubt about it.
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Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo face-off for the first time ahead of their super-middleweight showdown on September 30
@ShowtimeBoxing#CaneloCharlopic.twitter.com/FSN1uQaOkg
? Boxing News (@BoxingNewsED) August 15, 2023ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3RnJhnm5%2BifKa6jpumsaGenHxzfJFsZmlxX2aCcIKUaWtwnZabf3OCj2qbbnBgmIWjgJVrbmegpKK5