Alvarez

From Jack Harris: Clayton Kershaw took a deep breath, grasped the microphone with his left hand, then chuckled as he scanned the room around him.

“This,” he said, “is weird.”

Over his 18 seasons with the Dodgers, Kershaw was always wary of putting the spotlight on himself. Now, dozens of teammates, coaches, executives, staffers and media members, as well as his wife, Ellen, and their four kids, all sat before him — witness to his official announcement that he was ending his illustrious playing career.

“I’m going to call it,” Kershaw said. “I’m going to retire.”

After years of grappling with the decision, and ultimately returning to play for the Dodgers into his age-37 season, the future Hall of Fame left-hander made his decision to finally walk away sound simple.

“Going into the season, we kind of knew that this was going to be it, so didn’t want to say anything in case I changed my mind,” he said. “But over the course of the season, just how grateful I am to have been healthy and be out on the mound and be able to pitch, I think it just made it obvious that this was a good sending-off point. And it is. I’ve had the best time this year. It’s been a blast.”

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Clayton Kershaw announces retirement after 18 seasons with Dodgers

Plaschke: Clayton Kershaw retiring with legacy as the greatest Dodger ever

Dodgers to reach 4-million fan milestone for the first time in team history

Shaikin: How the Dodgers’ new minor league team in Ontario came up with its name

————

From Jack Harris: Yoshinobu Yamamoto was not at his most efficient Thursday night.

Which meant, even though he pitched 5⅓ scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants, he left the fate of the game to the Dodgers’ shaky bullpen.

So often on nights like these recently, such a scenario would be a recipe for disaster. Given the way things have been going for the Dodgers’ unreliable relief corps — which entered the night with a 5.65 ERA in September — anything more than a few innings has felt like a big ask.

This time, however, the Dodgers’ relievers found a way to grind things out.

No, Michael Kopech still didn’t have his command. And no, Blake Treinen still didn’t look like himself.

But when they needed to most, the Dodgers’ relievers executed pitches. In a 2-1 win at Dodger Stadium, they did enough to stretch the team’s National League West division lead to three games.

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Dodgers box score

MLB standings

ANGELS

Christian Yelich went two for four and reached 100 RBIs for the season as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Angels 5-2 on Thursday night.

Yelich doubled home Brice Turang as part of the Brewers’ three-run outburst in the seventh inning that broke a 2-2 tie. This marks Yelich’s first 100-RBI season since 2018, when he had 110 and was named the NL MVP.

The Brewers completed a three-game sweep and reduced their magic number for clinching the NL Central to four. The Angels have lost seven straight.

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Angels box score

MLB standings

ANZE KOPITAR TO RETIRE

From Austin Knoblauch: Anze Kopitar, widely considered the greatest player in Kings franchise history and poised to become the team’s all-time leading scorer, announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

“I just felt this is the time, but saying that, I’m looking extremely forward to this next season,” said Kopitar, who added the decision was rooted in spending more time with his family. “I still have a lot of motivation. I’ve got a lot of energy, a lot of desire to compete at the highest level.”

Kopitar said he was confident his decision would hold — even if the Kings made it all the way to Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final.

“My mind is made up. It was a hard decision,” Kopitar said. “I want to get this out of the way now, to where I’m not a distraction for the team. … I just felt that this is the best time.”

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ANGEL CITY

Croix Bethune scored on a header in the 71st minute to pull the Washington Spirit into a 2-2 draw with Angel City on Thursday night in the National Women’s Soccer League.

The Spirit (10-4-7) remained in second place in the league standings behind the Kansas City Current with a nine-game unbeaten run.

The draw stopped a two-game losing streak for Angel City (6-9-6), which was below the playoff line but still within reach of a berth.

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Angel City summary

NWSL standings

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1925 — Bill Tilden wins his sixth straight U.S. Open tennis championship with a five-set victory over Bill Johnston. Tilden wins 4-6, 11-9, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. It’s the fourth consecutive year that Tilden beats Johnston in the final.

1942 — Alsab, runner-up in the 1942 Kentucky Derby, beats 3-10 favorite Whirlaway, the 1941 Triple Crown champion, by a nose in a $25,000 match race at Narragansett Park. Alsab and Whirlaway meet twice more in 1942, with Whirlaway winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct.3, and Alsab taking the New York Handicap on Oct. 10.

1948 — Pancho Gonzales, 20, wins the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association title with a 6-2, 6-3, 14-12 victory over Eric Sturgess.

1985 — Minnesota’s Tommy Kramer passes for 436 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ 33-24 loss to the Chicago Bears.

1988 — U.S. Olympic diver Greg Louganis hits his head on diving board at the Seoul Olympics. Louganis hits the board on his ninth dive. He has four temporary stitches put in the top of his head so that he could come back and perform his last two dives. Less than 30 minutes later, he completes a reverse 1 1/2 somersault with 3 1/2 twists and, in the final round, a reverse 3 1/2 somersault in tuck position to secure his place in the medal round.

1992 — Sergei Bubka raises the world record in the pole vault, his 32nd world record, clearing 20 feet, 1½ inches in the Toto International at Tokyo.

1993 — Nigel Mansell overpowers the field in the Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix to become the first rookie to win the Indy car PPG Cup championship.

2000 — In the Sydney Olympics, the U.S. softball team strands a staggering 20 baserunners in an 11-inning, 2-1 loss to Japan, which ends a 112-game winning streak. It’s the first loss for the Americans since the 1998 world championships.

2004 — Jerry Rice’s run of 274 straight games with a catch is ended in the Oakland Raiders’ 13-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The last time Rice didn’t catch a pass was Dec. 1, 1985, at Washington.

2009 — Texas College of the NAIA is trounced 75-6 by Texas Southern, a week after losing 92-0 to Stephen F. Austin. The Steers fall to 0-4 and have been outscored 300-12.

2010 — Matt Schaub is 38 of 52 for a franchise-record 497 yards with three touchdowns in Houston’s 30-27 overtime win over Washington. Donovan McNabb of the Redskins is 28 of 38 for 426 yards. It’s the first time two quarterbacks throw for 400 yards in an NFL game since 1994.

2015 — Greyson Lambert of Georgia throws for 330 yards, three touchdowns and sets an NCAA record by completing all but one of his 25 passes to lead the to a 52-20 victory over South Carolina. Lambert posts the highest percentage (96.0) in FBS history for a minimum of 20 completions, breaking the mark of 95.8 (23 of 24) shared by Tennessee’s Tee Martin and West Virginia’s Geno Smith.

2015 — Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, sets a school record with 572 total yards, throws four TD passes and runs for two more scores in the Sooners’ 52-38 victory over Tulsa.

THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1925 — Ted Lyons lost his bid for a no-hitter when Bobby Veach singled with two outs in the ninth inning. The Chicago White Sox routed the Washington Senators 17-0.

1926 — The St. Louis Cardinals pounded the Philadelphia Phillies 23-3 in the first game of a doubleheader and beat them again in the nightcap, 10-2.

1949 — Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates became the first NL player to hit 50 home runs in two different seasons.

1955 — Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs set a major league record with his fifth grand slam of the season in a 12-inning, 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

1968 — Denny McLain won his 31st game, the most in the AL since Lefty Grove’s 31 in 1931. The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 6-2 while Mickey Mantle hit his 535th and next-to-last career homer.

1972 — Minnesota’s Cesar Tovar completed the cycle with a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Twins a 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.

1973 — Frank Robinson hits his first home run in Arlington Stadium. It was the 32nd major league ballpark in which he had homered.

1984 — Pete Rose reached the 100-hit plateau for the 22nd consecutive year, an all-time record. He also tied the NL record for doubles with 725 as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2.

1986 — Chicago’s Joe Crowley pitch a no-hitter to lead the White Sox to a 7-1 win over the Angels.

1995 — San Diego’s Ken Caminiti became the first player in major league history to homer from both sides of the plate three times in a season as he went 4-for-4 with a career-high eight RBIs in a 15-4 win over Colorado.

1998 — Seattle’s Alex Rodriguez hit his 40th homer to become the third player in baseball history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season.

2001 — Roger Clemens became the first pitcher in major league history to go 20-1, pitching the New York Yankees to a 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

2001 — Albert Pujols set a National League rookie RBI record as St. Louis beat Milwaukee 8-2. Pujols drove in three runs to give him 120 RBIs, breaking the mark of 119 set by Wally Berger in 1930 for the Boston Braves.

2008 — Baseball’s instant replay system produced its first reversal when Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena had a two-run double changed to a three-run homer during the fourth inning against Minnesota.

2008 — Greg Maddux pitches his 5,000th inning against the San Francisco Giants.

2011 — Mariano Rivera set the major league record with his 602nd save, closing out the New York Yankees’ 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins.

2017 — A new MLB record for the most home runs in a season, 5,694, is set when Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals homers.

2024 — Shohei Ohtani kicks down the door of a brand new club of which he is the only member: the 50-50 club. Today, he gets his first six-hit game, and three of his hits are homers, giving him 51 on the season. He also steals two bases, also reaching (and going past) the 50 mark, all the while driving in ten runs in a 20-4 demolition of the Marlins by the Dodgers. Less than a month ago he became only the sixth member of the 40-40 club, but he now stands all alone in this new level of otherworldly excellence, and incidentally has set a new Dodgers single-season record for home runs (breaking Shawn Green’s mark).

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

From Jack Harris: With two out in the seventh inning Wednesday night, and Blake Snell trying to put the finishing touches on his best performance in a Dodgers uniform, Roberts appeared to be coming to the mound after a pair of walks to turn to his shaky bullpen with a three-run lead.

As he usually does when removing a pitcher, his gait was slow — at least, initially.

Once Snell saw him coming, however, Roberts picked up his pace — as he will sometimes do when electing to leave a pitcher in the game.

“You know what, in that situation, I was actually 50/50,” Roberts said. “Obviously, 99.9% of the time, I’ve got my decision made. But in that moment, I was kind of up in the air.”

After a brief discussion with his starting pitcher, he let Snell stay in.

“He’s one of the guys that we have to push,” Roberts explained afterward. “He’s got the track record for it. The DNA, the talent to do it. So it’s important.”

“For us to win 13 games in October, we’re gonna need certain guys to be pushed and go deeper.”

Five throws later, the two-time Cy Young Award winner, and $182-million centerpiece of the club’s offseason, rewarded the decision. He sent Otto Kemp down swinging with a 95 mph fastball. He authored an emphatic ending to his scoreless seven-inning start, one that lifted the Dodgers to a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies to maintain a two-game lead in the National League West standings.

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Dodgers box score

MLB standings

ANGELS

Brandon Woodruff pitched five solid innings, Sal Frelick hit a three-run homer and Blake Perkins tied a career high with five RBIs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 9-2 win over the Angels on Wednesday night.

Woodruff (7-2) gave up two hits and one run, struck out nine and threw 52 of his 69 pitches for strikes. He was pitching on 10 days rest to manage his workload after he missed last season while recovering from right shoulder surgery.

Angels starter José Soriano (10-11) exited with one out in the second after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Jake Bauers. Soriano sustained a right forearm contusion. X-rays were negative.

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Angels box score

MLB standings

CHARGERS

From Anthony De Leon: When Khalil Mack suffered a left elbow injury after colliding with a teammate while tackling the Raiders’ Geno Smith, the concern wasn’t whether he’d miss time, but how much.

Fortunately for the Chargers, the diagnosis was a dislocated elbow, sidelining him four weeks on injured reserve — far better than the season-ending outcome many had feared.

“He’s like Wolverine,” coach Jim Harbaugh said, invoking the regenerating “X-Men” character. “One of the toughest things I’ve ever seen. He wasn’t going to sit or lay down on the field. … A new level of respect.”

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From Ryan Kartje: Since DeShaun Foster was fired earlier this week, D’Anton Lynn has been near the top of most prospective lists of head coaching candidates for UCLA.

But USC’s rising star defensive coordinator said on Wednesday that he has not been contacted about the open job across town and reiterated that his attention was trained on the Trojans’ upcoming matchup with Michigan State on Saturday night.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff on defense that we’ve got to clean up and improve on,” Lynn said. “So that’s where all my focus is right now.”

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How Bishop Fitzgerald’s roots as a quarterback helped him become a prolific USC safety

From Ben Bolch: The fallout from UCLA coach DeShaun Foster’s dismissal deepened Wednesday when interim coach Tim Skipper disclosed that defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe had agreed to “mutually part ways” with the team, depriving the Bruins of one of their most respected assistant coaches.

Meeting with reporters for the first time since he was selected to coach the team for the rest of the season, Skipper said he didn’t know the specifics of Malloe’s departure. One person close to the coaching staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, told The Times that Malloe couldn’t get past blaming himself for the team’s 0-3 start, even suggesting that he be fired instead of Foster, so it was agreed that it would be best if he took time to regroup and focus on himself.

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L.A. OLYMPICS

From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: After Paris sold a record 12 million tickets for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, the group organizing the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is getting a head start on ticket sales.

General registration for 2028 Olympics tickets will open in January 2026, more than a full year ahead of the ticket timeline used during the Paris Games, LA28 announced on Wednesday. Tickets to the Paralympics — coming to L.A. for the first time — will go on sale in 2027.

Beginning next year, fans can register to enter the lottery for Olympics tickets at the organizing committee’s website la28.org. If selected in the random draw, fans will receive a purchase time and date for when ticket drops begin in spring 2026. Fans who are not selected for the first round of ticket drops will be automatically be entered into subsequent ones. LA28 officials plan to announce more information about the process later this year.

Single-event tickets will start at $28, with early access for locals around Olympic venue cities. In addition to major sports zones in Downtown L.A., Exposition Park, the Sepulveda Basin, Long Beach, Inglewood and Carson will host multiple Olympic events. L.A., Long Beach and Carson will host the majority of the Paralympic events.

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LAFC

Son Heung-min secured his first MLS hat trick on a sliding finish in the 82nd minute and LAFC beat Real Salt Lake 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Salt Lake (10-15-4) has lost four of its last five matches.

Son, who joined LAFC (13-7-8) a month ago from the English Premier League, scored on a breakaway in the third minute for a 1-0 lead. He was left wide open in the middle of the field in the 16th and scored from distance to make it 2-0.

Son ran with Denis Bouanga from midfield on a 2-on-1 breakaway and scored an easy tap-in for a 3-1 advantage. Bouanga scored six minutes later on another breakaway to break a tie with league legend Carlos Vela for the most goals in club history with 94.

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LAFC summary

MLS standings

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1899 — The Cincinnati Open begins. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States still played in its original city and is now known as the Cincinnati Masters & Women’s Open.

1938 — The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 2-0. Left end Dick Plasman tackles Arnie Herber in the end zone in the fourth quarter for the win.

1946 — Joe Louis knocks out Tami Mauriello in the first round at Yankee Stadium in New York to retain the world heavyweight title.

1960 — Goose Gonsoulin intercepts four passes to lead the Denver Broncos to a 27-21 win over the Buffalo Bills.

1965 — In his first collegiate game, quarterback Billy Stevens of Texas-El Paso gains 483 total yards in a 61-15 rout of North Texas State. Receiver Chuck Hughes has 349 of those yards.

1966 — Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas throws 4 touchdown passes in 38-23 win at Minnesota to surpass Y.A. Tittle as NFL’s career leader with 212; finishes career with 290 TD passes.

1967 — U.S. yacht Intrepid beats the Australian yacht Dame Pattie in four straight races to defend the America’s Cup.

1977 — U.S. yacht Courageous beats the challenger Australia in four straight races to defend the America’s Cup.

1982 — In a rare father-son matchup, coach Jack Elway leads San Jose State to its second consecutive upset of quarterback John Elway and Stanford 35-31 in Palo Alto, Calif. John Elway completes 24-of-36 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns. Spartans quarterback Steve Clarkson, throws for 285 yards, three touchdowns and scores on a three-yard keeper for the win after a Cardinal fumble. Stanford reaches the Spartans’ 26-yard line, but Elway gets sacked on four consecutive plays to end the game.

2005 — Green Bay’s Brett Favre joins Dan Marino and John Elway with 50,000 yards passing and also breaks Elway’s single-stadium NFL touchdown record of 180 with a 4-yard toss to Tony Fisher with 4 seconds left of a 26-24 loss to Cleveland at Lambeau Field.

2011 — At 16, Lexi Thompson becomes the youngest player to win an LPGA Tour event. The 16-year-old Floridian closes with a 2-under 70 to win by five strokes over Tiffany Joh at the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Ala. Thompson shatters the age record for winning a multiple-round tournament held by Paula Creamer, who won in 2005 at 18.

2011 — Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton sets an NFL rookie record by throwing for 432 yards against the Green Bay Packers. Newton, who tied the record by throwing for 422 yards in last week’s loss at Arizona, completes 28 of 46 passes with one touchdown in the 30-23 loss to the Packers. Newton’s 854 yards passing is also the most yards for a player in his first two games.

2013 — American Jordan Burroughs earns another wrestling world title. Burroughs, a gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, extends his undefeated streak to 65 matches with a 4-0 victory over Iran’s Ezzatollah Akbarizarinkolaei in the 163-pound category at the Laszlo Papp Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

2016 — Detroit’s Anquan Boldin has a touchdown catch in the Lions’ 16-15 loss to Tennessee, to join Terrell Owens as the only players in NFL history to have at least 1,000 career receptions and a touchdown catch with four teams.

THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1903 — Philadelphia’s Chick Fraser pitched a 10-0 no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader. The Cubs won the opener 6-5. Fraser struck out five and walked four. Peaches Graham, normally a catcher, was the loser in his only major league decision.

1908 — Bob Rhoads of the Indians pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox for a 2-1 victory in Cleveland.

1930 — New York pitcher Red Ruffing hit two home runs as the Yankees edged the St. Louis Browns 7-6 in 10 innings.

1954 — The Cleveland Indians clinched the American League pennant with a 3-2 triumph over the Detroit Tigers.

1963 — The New York Mets lost their last game at the Polo Grounds — 5-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies before a crowd of 1,752.

1968 — Ray Washburn threw a 2-0 no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park, one day after the Giants’ Gaylord Perry tossed a no-hitter against Washburn’s St. Louis Cardinals.

1980 — Minnesota’s Gary Ward hit for the cycle in a 9-8 loss at Milwaukee. It was Ward’s 14th career game and the home run was his first in the major leagues. The Brewers won the game in the bottom of the ninth on Gorman Thomas’ two-out two-run homer.

1984 — The Detroit Tigers clinched the American League East Division with a 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, making the Tigers the fourth team in major league history to lead from start to finish. The other three teams were the 1923 New York Giants, 1927 New York Yankees and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers.

1984 — Montreal’s Tim Raines became the first player in major league history with four consecutive seasons of 70 or more stolen bases by swiping four in the Expos’ 7-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

1985 — Boston catcher Rich Gedman hit for the cycle and drove in seven runs as the Red Sox rout the Toronto Blue Jays, 13-1.

1987 — Detroit’s Darrell Evans became the first 40-year-old player in major league history to hit 30 home runs in a season as the Tigers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6.

1996 — Roger Clemens equaled his own major league record, fanning 20 batters and pitching a four-hitter to lead Boston over the Detroit Tigers 4-0.

2003 — Atlanta clinched its 12th straight division title when second-place Florida was mathematically eliminated from the NL East race after a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia. The record title streak started in 1991, when the Braves won the NL West. They moved to the East Division in 1994 and trailed Montreal by six games when the strike stopped the season in August.

2006 — The Dodgers hit four consecutive homers in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and Nomar Garciaparra’s two-run homer in the 10th lifted Los Angeles to an 11-10 victory over the San Diego Padres.

2011 — Erick Aybar went 4 for 4, with four extra-base hits and tied a franchise record by scoring five runs, leading the Angels to an 11-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

2012 — Dusty Baker managed his 3,000th game, guiding the Cincinnati Reds against one of his former teams, the Chicago Cubs.

2020 — Garrett Crochet becomes the first player in over a decade to go straight to the majors when the #11 pick from the 2020 amateur draft makes his maiden appearance pitching in relief for the White Sox against the Reds. After working out at the Sox’s alternate training site in Schaumburg, IL since being signed, he impresses by striking two of three batter he faces and regularly hitting 100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

From Sam Farmer: The Chargers are spiraling — in all the right ways.

From Sam Farmer: A laser to Keenan Allen in the back of the end zone. A pristine rainbow to Quentin Johnston way downfield.

Justin Herbert, spinning passes with mechanical precision, led his team to a 20-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, directing the Chargers to a 2-0 record and a spot alone atop the AFC West.

The second half of a Monday night NFL doubleheader was a yardstick game for both teams — how good were they, truly, after their season-opening victories? — and the Raiders got a vigorous ruler-rap across the knuckles, losing to the Chargers for the fourth time in the last five meetings.

Herbert, ruthlessly effective in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, picked apart the Las Vegas secondary with surgical skill and used his legs to pick up yardage when his receivers weren’t open. He was his team’s leading rusher.

After a one-for-five passing start, he completed his next 15 throws. That included a 60-yard touchdown to Johnston, who scored twice against the Chiefs and is redefining his onetime reputation for exasperating drops.

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Chargers box score

NFL standings

RAMS

From Gary Klein: Before the season, Rams coach Sean McVay spoke confidently about his team’s talent and depth.

That depth will get another early test.

Starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was placed on injured reserve Monday after suffering a fractured clavicle during Sunday’s 33-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Witherspoon, 30, will be sidelined “probably 12 weeks,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters.

Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. are expected to be the starters, with veteran Darious Williams in a rotational role, on Sunday when the Rams (2-0) play the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Rams also will “bring somebody in,” McVay said.

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DODGERS

From Kevin Baxter: Philadelphia has already clinched a playoff berth. The Dodgers’ magic number for matching that is five after Monday’s 6–5 extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

So the chances are high the teams will meet again in the postseason, which makes this week’s series at Dodger Stadium a great opportunity to do a little scouting.

“We try to gather as much information as we can,” infielder Miguel Rojas said. “They’re doing the same thing.”

That’s not the main objective, though. Because if the Dodgers are closing in on a playoff berth, they aren’t there yet. And they have even more work to do after Monday’s game, which ended with J.T. Realmuto’s 10th-inning sacrifice fly scoring ghost runner Harrison Bader with the winning run for Philadelphia.

“With where we’re at, I’m trying to win every game,” said manager Dave Roberts, whose team fought back from deficits three times before falling. “And where it falls out is where it falls out.”

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Will Shohei Ohtani boost the bullpen in the playoffs? Dodgers weigh complex options

Dodgers box score

MLB standings

BOXING

From Jad El Reda: Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez walked alongside his wife and one of his daughters to the makeshift stage in a giant tent a few feet from Allegiant Stadium, the venue where he had just lost for the third time in his professional career.

Visibly affected by more than just the marks left on his face, Álvarez acknowledged that Terence Crawford was superior to him. He made no excuses, but he seemed to be signaling that his body was telling him that his time as a boxer was running out.

During the final rounds, Álvarez’s frustration was evident. He lowered his hands, shook his head and on several occasions appeared resigned. Despite having had a great training camp, his 35 years of age, 20 of them as a professional, were evident.

Yes, Crawford is 37, but Álvarez completed 26 more fights than Crawford entering their bout Saturday night.

“Sometimes you try and your body just can’t take it anymore,” Álvarez said. “That’s my frustration. Maybe I can’t understand Crawford, but my body just can’t take it anymore. I tried, but it just wouldn’t let me continue. And you have to accept that.”

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THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1885 — The America’s Cup is successfully defended by U.S. yacht Puritan as it beats Britain’s Genesta in two heats.

1926 — Henri Cochet ends Bill Tilden’s six-year reign as the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association champion as he beats Tilden in the quarterfinals.

1927 — Rene Lacoste wins the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship, beating Bill Tilden in three sets.

1951 — Betsy Rawls wins the U.S. Women’s Open golf title by edging Louise Suggs.

1955 — The formation of the United States Auto Club is completed and will oversee four major categories of auto races.

1973 — O.J. Simpson rushes for 250 yards to lead the Buffalo Bills to a 31-13 victory over the New England Patriots.

1989 — No. 1 Notre Dame beats No. 2 Michigan 24-19 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Fighting Irish wide receiver Raghib Ismail steals the show by returning kickoffs 88 and 92 yards for touchdowns. It’s the second time Ismail has two kickoff returns for touchdowns in the same game, accomplishing the feat against Rice in 1988.

2000 — Zippy Chippy, a 9-year-old gelding, finishes third in the eighth race at the Three-County Fair in Northampton, Mass., extending his record as the losingest horse in American thoroughbred history to 88 races.

2001 — Jason Bohn shoots a 13-under 58 at Huron Oaks Country Club to win the Canadian Tour’s Bayer Championship by two strokes and go one below the best round ever shot in PGA Tour-sanctioned competition.

2007 — Bengals QB Carson Palmer passes for six TDs and the Browns’ Derek Anderson has five in Cleveland’s 51-45 win over Cincinnati, making it just the third time in NFL history that two QBs threw five TD passes apiece in the same game.

2010 — The Seattle Storm complete their undefeated march through the postseason, beating the Atlanta Dream 87-84 for a three-game sweep in the WNBA finals.

2012 — Eli Manning completes 31 of 51 passes for 510 yards — the second-best passing day in team history — with three touchdown passes and three interceptions as the New York Giants rally for a 41-34 win over Tampa Bay.

2012 — NHL locks out its players after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.

2017 — In front of the largest crowd to attend a stand-alone MLS match, Josef Martinez gets his second hat trick in a row and his third of the season to help Atlanta United hold on for a 3-3 draw against Orlando City. Atlanta United sets the record with 70,425 on hand at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

2018 — Scott Dixon has a steady drive to win his fifth IndyCar championship with ease. Dixon, needing an uneventful finale at Sonoma Raceway, finishes second behind winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. His fifth title moves him into second in IndyCar history, two behind A.J. Foyt.

2018 — Patrick Mahomes is 23 for 28 for 326 yards and six touchdown passes in Kansas City’s 42-37 win over Pittsburgh. His 10 touchdown passes through two weeks are the most by a quarterback through two games in NFL history.

THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1914 — Roger Peckinpaugh, at 23, was hired to finish the season as manager of the New York Yankees.

1924 — Jim Bottomley went 6-for-6 and batted in a record 12 runs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 17-3. His hits included two home runs.

1926 — The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 23-3 at the Baker Bowl. The Cardinals scored 12 runs in the third inning to set a franchise record.

1939 — The New York Yankees clinched their fourth successive pennant with a win over Detroit. It was the 11th pennant overall.

1957 — The Los Angeles City Council approved a 300-acre site in Chavez Ravine for a ballpark for the Dodgers. The club’s obligation was to finance a public recreation area.

1960 — Warren Spahn, 39, pitched a no-hitter and set an all-time Braves record with 15 strikeouts. Milwaukee beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0.

1965 — Dave Morehead of the Boston Red Sox pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Morehead walked one batter and struck out.

1975 — The Pittsburgh Pirates routed the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field 22-0. It was the most one-sided shutout since 1900. Pittsburgh’s Rennie Stennett tied a major league mark established in 1892 going 7-for-7 in a nine-inning game. The Pirates’ second baseman got two hits in one inning twice (in the first and fifth innings.

1988 — Cincinnati’s Tom Browning pitched a perfect game as the Reds beat the Dodgers 1-0. Browning struck out eight and only eight balls were hit out of the infield.

1993 — Dave Winfield of the Minnesota Twins became the 19th player in major league history to get 3,000 hits. Winfield singled off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in a 5-1 win at home.

1996 — Minnesota’s Paul Molitor got his 3,000th career hit, becoming the 21st major leaguer to reach the mark, in a 6-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

1997 — Philadelphia’s Curt Schilling struck out nine in the Phillies win over the New York Mets to become the 13th pitcher since 1900 with 300 strikeouts in a season.

2000 — Chicago’s Sammy Sosa became the third player to hit 50 home runs in three different seasons, joining Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire. Sosa homered in the Cubs’ 7-6 loss to St. Louis, joining McGwire as the only players to hit 50 in three straight years.

2006 — Washington’s Alfonso Soriano became the fourth player in major league history to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season in an 8-4 win over Milwaukee. Soriano when he swiped second base, his 40th stolen base, to go along with 45 home runs.

2006 — Chone Figgins hit for the cycle in the Angels’ 12-6 loss to the Texas Rangers.

2007 — Jim Thome became the 23rd player — and third this season — to reach 500 home runs. The slugger hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning off reliever Dustin Moseley to give the Chicago White Sox a 9-7 victory over the Angels.

2014 — Jake Arrieta took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before giving up Brandon Phillips’ one-out double, the only blemish for the Chicago Cubs pitcher in a 7-0 win over Cincinnati. Arrieta struck out 13 and walked one in his first career complete game.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

LAS VEGAS — Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez walked alongside his wife and one of his daughters to the makeshift stage in a giant tent a few feet from Allegiant Stadium, the venue where he had just lost for the third time in his professional career.

Visibly affected by more than just the marks left on his face, Álvarez acknowledged that Terence Crawford was superior to him. He made no excuses, but he seemed to be signaling that his body was telling him that his time as a boxer was running out.

During the final rounds, Álvarez’s frustration was evident. He lowered his hands, shook his head and on several occasions appeared resigned. Despite having had a great training camp, his 35 years of age, 20 of them as a professional, were evident.

Yes, Crawford is 37, but Álvarez completed 26 more fights than Crawford entering their bout Saturday night.

Terence Crawford punches Canelo Álvarez during an undisputed super middleweight championship boxing match in Las Vegas Saturday.

(David Becker / Associated Press)

“Sometimes you try and your body just can’t take it anymore,” Álvarez said. “That’s my frustration. Maybe I can’t understand Crawford, but my body just can’t take it anymore. I tried, but it just wouldn’t let me continue. And you have to accept that.”

Álvarez lost the super middleweight title bout by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 before a record announced crowd of 70,482.

Álvarez acknowledged that he landed blows on his opponent, but none with the cleanliness and power that would have changed the course of the fight.

“I hit Crawford, but I didn’t land any clean blows with all my strength,” lamented Álvarez.

Despite his difficulty, the Guadalajara native reiterated that he never gave up in the ring.

Is this the beginning of the end for Álvarez? Perhaps. But early retirement seems unlikely … especially when he continues to be a box office magnet. The latest proof is in the $47,231,887 in gross revenue generated by ticket sales at Allegiant Stadium, according Live Gate.

The Canelo-Crawford fight became the biggest box office draw in the history of the Las Vegas venue, and with 70,482 fans in attendance, it was the most attended boxing event in U.S. history, surpassing Ali-Spinks II.

Crawford stripped Álvarez of his World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Assn. (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) belts.

After the fight, Álvarez raised his right arm in triumph. But he didn’t declare himself the winner as he did following his loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022.

Álvarez accepted his defeat against a vastly superior opponent who made his win look easy.

Canelo Álvarez punches Terence Crawford during an undisputed super middleweight championship boxing match in Las Vegas Saturday.

(David Becker / Associated Press)

On the other hand, upon hearing the verdict, Crawford knelt in the ring before raising his arms to celebrate the victory.

“I knew I had won when the final bell rang. This is not my plan, it is God’s plan. I am just carrying out his mission,” Crawford said.

Emotional, he remembered his team and the people who have accompanied him.

“When they doubt me, they doubt my team. They thought they couldn’t take me where I wanted to go because they’re not from a big city and they don’t have recognition,” Crawford said. “But here we are, making history. I’m at the forefront, and behind me comes a new generation.”

Although he celebrated intensely, Crawford did not belittle Álvarez, acknowledging the quality of the former champion.

The win is a milestone for Crawford. He is now the first male boxer to be the undisputed champion in three different divisions in the era of four belts. With an undefeated record of 42-0 and 31 knockouts, he stands at the top of his generation.

“It wasn’t easy. It just looked that way, but it wasn’t. He’s definitely the best opponent I’ve ever faced,” Crawford said.

After confirming his third defeat, Álvarez’s gaze was not that of a man who knew he would receive more than $100 million for stepping onto the canvas at Allegiant Stadium. His gaze was that of someone whose body had reminded him that the end of a celebrated career was closer than he thought.

Terence Crawford reacts after the final bell of his fight with Canelo Álvarez, not pictured, in their undisputed super middleweight title fight Saturday in Las Vegas.

(Steve Marcus / Getty Images)

He appeared with the serenity of a man who, although hurt, knew how to recognize the greatness of his opponent.

“I tried everything I could and trained very hard, and he deserves all the credit. Tonight I gave it my all, but I can’t understand his style,” Álvarez said.

Crawford saw Álvarez’s frustration firsthand. Around the sixth round, Crawford knew he had to take another step to completely control the fight because he felt Álvarez adapting to the bout’s rhythm, so he pressed his style harder and overwhelmed Álvarez.

Everything he did was part of the plan he developed during his training camp. Although Crawford wanted to be more active, his coaches reminded him to be disciplined and patient.

Much was said about the difficulties he might face in moving up two weight classes, but the American insisted that he did not feel physically disadvantaged against Álvarez.

“People exaggerated that. He and I are practically the same size,” Crawford said. “I’m a little taller, my arms are longer. The difference is minimal. So when they said, ‘Canelo is huge,’ it seemed disrespectful to me. Tonight you could see that we were evenly matched.”

When asked if what complicated things most for him was Crawford’s speed, movement, or power, Álvarez responded: “Everything. He has it all.”

For the first time since 2018, Álvarez is no longer a world champion.

“I feel like a champion no matter what happens. Win or lose, I still feel like a champion,” Álvarez said. “You have to accept defeat and accept everything. I’m going to keep going.”

When asked whether Floyd Mayweather Jr., who handed him his first professional defeat in 2013, was better than Crawford, Álvarez responded no.

“I think Crawford is much better than Floyd Mayweather,” Álvarez said.

Álvarez recounted gathering his family in the locker room to explain the importance of accepting both victory and defeat.

Canelo Álvarez kisses his wife, Fernanda Gomez, after losing to Terence Crawford (not pictured) in their undisputed super middleweight title fight on Saturday in Las Vegas.

(Steve Marcus / Getty Images)

“My children and my wife were a little sad, but I told them that’s the way it is. It’s not a defeat, it’s a lesson,” Álvarez said. “You have to accept both sides of the coin. That’s what I want to teach them, that you learn as much when you win as when you lose.”

Visibly moved, he spoke of his newborn daughter, just 1 month old, who was waiting for him at their hotel.

Álvarez avoided giving clear details about his next steps and gave himself time to reflect. His future decisions will involve his family, who accompany him in victory and defeat.

The loss to Crawford won’t trigger Álvarez’s immediate retirement, as he has a four-fight contract worth around $400 million with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, but he could change his strategy in scheduling opponents.

“I want to see what happens in the future. There will definitely be good things,“ Álvarez said. ”I won just by being here.”

Although his legacy is already assured with a career spanning more than 20 years, multiple titles in different divisions and victories over big names, this loss marks a turning point. The question will be how he reacts, whether he will seek immediate revenge or takes another path.

The victory places Crawford on a historic pedestal alongside Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, becoming the third linear champion in four divisions and the second boxer to achieve undisputed status in three categories, something only Henry Armstrong had achieved in 1938 in a different era of boxing.

“It means a lot because they always said I fought nobodies. Well, what can they say now? I did everything I said I was going to do,” Crawford said. “I moved up two divisions, faced the undisputed champion, and took all his titles. That’s greatness.”

When asked to compare himself to Mayweather, Crawford was respectful.

“Floyd was the best of his era. I am the best of mine. There is no need to compare us,” Crawford said.

The event was attended mostly by Mexican fans who hoped to see Álvarez further cement his legacy. But they left having witnessed a great performance by Álvarez’s opponent.

The fans booed Crawford, who made his walk to the ring dressed in an outfit inspired by the 1995 film “Desperado,” starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, accompanied by live music and guitar in hand.

At the end of the fight, the same fans applauded him, recognizing his great performance against the defeated champion.

Terence Crawford displays his title belts after defeating Canelo Álvarez (not pictured) in an undisputed super middleweight title fight by unanimous decision.

(Harry How / Getty Images for Netflix)

“It was part of my outfit. The outfit was inspired by the movie ‘Desperado.’ As you can see, I had the guitar and everything,” Crawford said. “My great childhood friend, Jacinto Robles, was the one who performed a song and acted tonight. … As I said, I also have Mexicans and Latinos on my side. It’s been a beautiful night.”

Unlike many other fighters, Crawford says little, is reserved but intense when he goes after his opponent, avoids theatrics and gets straight to the point. Defeating Álvarez in front of his fans, dominating most of the rounds and becoming just the third person to defeat Álvarez is more than enough to shout about with pride, but he didn’t.

Crawford waited until the end of Álvarez’s media appearance in the giant tent to return the Mexican’s belts handed to him in the ring. He could have done this privately in the locker room, but he did it in front of media and the Álvarez family as a sign of respect, extending his hand to his rival.

“When I signed the contract, I already knew I was going to beat him,” Crawford said. “It’s no surprise to me. It’s a surprise to all of you because you don’t believe me. But I always knew I could do it.”

This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.

CANELO ALVAREZ paid a gushing tribute to his wife Fernanda after accepting his loss to Terence Crawford with “humility”.

The Mexican superstar surrendered his super-middleweight throne after falling victim to a masterclass performance.

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Canelo was consoled by his wife Fernanda and daughter Mia in the aftermath of the defeat – and spoke out to thank his partner.

“I’m very proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far; you always want to win, but I accept this defeat with humility and learning,” he said on Instagram.

“I am very grateful to my team for all the sacrifices we have made together all these years.

“I already won because I have my family with me and millions of fans who have never stopped supporting me.

“Finally, thanks to Fernanda, my wife; for her patience and not letting go of my hand during this whole process.”

Crawford secured a stunning unanimous points win after 12 rounds of sensational boxing to become four-belt champion at 168lb.

The 42-0 American became the first man in boxing history to win undisputed belts in THREE different weight classes.

Jumping up from 154lb, Crawford became a FIVE-division champ, having started his reign of championship terror at the 135lb lightweight mark.

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CANELO VS CRAWFORD LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

Canelo vs Crawford – All the info

IT’S finally time – one of the biggest boxing matches EVER takes place THIS WEEKEND.

Two of boxing’s GOATs will meet in the ring as they fight for pound-for-pound supremacy and the super-middleweight crown.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford have been fixtures in the top of the rankings for years and are considered among the best to ever do it.

Unbeaten Crawford, who beat Israil Madrimov to win the light-middleweight title last time out, hasn’t fought for a year.

He is jumping up two weight divisions to meet Canelo, having spent most of his career weighing in even lighter.

Mexican favourite Canelo has scored title defences over Edgar Berlanga and William Scull since Crawford was last inside a ring.

Here’s all the info for this must-watch fight…

INFO

LATEST NEWS

Canelo meanwhile is without gold on his waist for the first time since 2018 – but the father-of-four is a winner even without the belts.

“No matter what, I still feel a champion,” he said, joined by his wife and daughter.

“It is what it is, you need to take a loss and accept everything. But I’m going to continue.” 

Canelo, 35, welcomed his newborn baby daughter Eva Victoria just one month before facing Crawford, 37.

And he has refused to commit his future to boxing until he spends some quality time with the newest addition to the Alvarez family.

“I want to speak to my family for obviously the support that they always give me, Canelo said, through a translator.

“Tonight is an opportunity to learn. That’s what I told my family,  tonight was an opportunity to learn and to evolve.

“I learn from defeat and also I haven’t had the chance to talk about the next step or the future yet.

“I want to enjoy my family, my daughter is a month old. I just want to be able to enjoy and see what comes next.”

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Follow our live build-up ahead of our full text commentary stream of the unification fight between Alvarez and Crawford.

Jumping up in weight has historically left challengers vulnerable against naturally bigger champions.

Yet in Las Vegas this week, many pundits and fighters are tipping Crawford to win – a testament to his adaptability and ring IQ.

Crawford looks ripped and defined, not having put on weight at the expense of his athleticism, but whether he can carry the same speed, timing, and precision into the ring remains the question.

He says the extra pounds have been more blessing than burden.

“It’s been different because I don’t have to worry about anything – the weight room, strength and conditioning, when I’m eating and things like that. I’m as happy as could be,” he told BBC Sport on Tuesday.

The freedom has even extended to breakfast.

“I woke up and ate pancakes this morning. I would never have been able to eat pancakes before,” he said.

If Crawford can dethrone Alvarez in Nevada, it won’t just be another indulgence. It will be the syrup on top of a career already dripping with greatness.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Terence “Bud” Crawford jumped two weight classes to set a career high on the scales at Friday’s weigh-in ahead of his super middleweight bout against Mexican superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. Both fighters weighed in at 167.5 pounds and met all the requirements for a fight that pits two of today’s best pound-for-pound boxers against each other.

Bud and Canelo face off Saturday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (6 p.m., Netflix) in a clash that will define their legacies, test Crawford’s undefeated status and determine supremacy in the sport.

For Álvarez, who will celebrate 20 years in the sport in October and compete in his 21st fight in Las Vegas when he faces Crawford, the weigh-in was business as usual for a Mexican star accustomed to competing in the super middleweight class and higher.

Crawford arrived in the same physical condition as the undisputed champion, reflecting the seriousness of his preparation in pursuit of the four belts held by the Jalisco native, as well as a bonus from the World Boxing Council (WBC), which will award a special ring to the winner of the fight.

Terence “Bud” Crawford extends his arms and during a news conference at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday in Las Vegas.

(David Becker / Getty Images for Netflix)

“I think people completely underestimate me, but that doesn’t matter,” Crawford said. “We have to fight here on Saturday, and all the answers will be resolved that night.”

The fighters participated in news conferences during the week that served as a barometer for the atmosphere in Las Vegas, where Álvarez is expected to draw a rowdy crowd during Mexican Independence Day weekend.

“I feel great. For me, this fight means a lot. I’m looking forward to Saturday night,” Álvarez said. “This fight is very important to me. It’s one of the most important fights of my career. … This victory will be one of the most important.”

Álvarez acknowledged Crawford’s physique, with his challenger surprising observers with more defined muscles after gaining weight.

“For me, muscles mean nothing,” Álvarez said. “I’ve fought bigger fighters before and they mean nothing… When I saw that he had a good training camp, I was happy because it was going to be a good fight.”

For his part, Crawford was confident and defiant.

“I feel great. I’m ready to get started. To surprise the world,” said the American, who reacted to social media comments about his physical transformation. “A lot of people are going overboard with that. ‘Oh, he’s slow, he’s got too much muscle.’ I just want to fight.”

At this crossroads, two fighters with different backgrounds meet. Both have been undisputed champions in different divisions and both have enough experience to handle the pressure of a big night. But there are differences that could tip the scales.

Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford face off onstage during news conference at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday in Las Vegas.

(David Becker / Getty Images for Netflix)

Álvarez is a fighter accustomed to the higher divisions. He has fought in light heavyweight and has faced physically superior opponents.

His style is orthodox, with a great ability to cut off the ring, wear down his opponents and land powerful punches that can define fights. He has the ability to adapt, read his opponents and subdue them with a combination of technique, power and tactical discipline.

Crawford comes from the opposite camp. His career has been built in lighter weight classes, dominating as a welterweight and lightweight, with a style based on mobility, variety of angles and intelligence in the ring. He is a natural southpaw, although he often switches stances, and has never tasted defeat as a professional.

With 41 victories, 31 of them by knockout, Crawford brings with him an impeccable record, but he will have to prove whether that power remains intact against a heavier and more resilient opponent such as Álvarez.

Crawford has had to deal with criticism about his previous opponents, as he has been accused of facing lower-quality fighters. “Anyone can be a nobody. And from what they say, I haven’t fought anyone,” he said.

The question is how Crawford will adapt to this new weight class. The increase in muscle could take away his speed, one of his most lethal weapons, or sap his endurance during long rounds.

For Álvarez, the advantage lies in familiarity, as he knows how to manage his body during a fight at 168 pounds, knows how to manage energy and knows how to punish an opponent who is entering unknown territory.

Many point to age as a factor that could affect both fighters during the bout.

At 35, Álvarez is still in a competitive range where he retains power, endurance and reflexes, although perhaps with less spark than in his 20s. His style does not depend so much on explosive speed, but rather on experience and the progressive wear and tear of his opponent. That works in his favor.

Although Álvarez has promised a knockout, in his recent fights, he has been unable to deliver knockouts and is unlikely to do so against Crawford.

“I’m going to give it my all in this fight and you’re going to see all my qualities,” Álvarez said. “It’s very difficult to say [which round I’ll knock him out], but I’m preparing for anything and I have one of the best fighters facing one of the best as well.”

At 37, Crawford is nearing the end of his physical prime. Boxers who base much of their style on speed, mobility and reflexes tend to feel the passage of time sooner. Crawford still looks fast, but his reflexes are probably not exactly what they were four or five years ago.

The fight, then, is shaping up to be a duel of styles and contexts. If Crawford manages to impose distance and take advantage of his mobility, he can turn the night into an exercise in frustration for Álvarez. If the Mexican manages to close the ring, press with body shots and wear Crawford down from the early rounds, the fight could swing in his corner.

Beyond the technical analysis, motivation plays a key role. Álvarez, with more than 60 professional fights, seeks to reaffirm his place in history as one of the great champions of Mexico and the world.

Crawford, meanwhile, wants to be the first male boxer in the four-belt era to become the undisputed champion in three different divisions.

Both know they are in the final stretch of their careers, which makes this fight an almost unrepeatable event. A defeat for either of them does not mean the end, but it would leave a mark on their records that would be difficult to erase.

When asked about fighting at Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL’s Raiders, Crawford took a moment to emphasize the value of an event of this magnitude.

“Fights like this help boxing grow … the best fight,” he said. “… It’s only going to improve the sport.”

Undercard adds intrigue

Undefeated junior middleweight boxers Callum Walsh, left, and Fernando Vargas Jr., right, face off during a news conference at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday in Las Vegas while UFC’s Dana White looks on.

(Steve Marcus / Getty Images)

Saturday night’s fireworks aren’t limited to the main event. The rest of the card also is generating interest.

Undefeated super middleweight Christian Mbilli will face Guatemala’s Lester Martinez in a clash that promises to be intense.

Mbilli, who is hungry to establish himself in the division, said he feels he is in the best shape of his career and intends to go for a knockout. Martínez, for his part, has repeatedly said that he is not here to be a stepping stone for anyone and will take advantage of the platform to make a statement.

Another attraction is the clash between Callum Walsh and Fernando Vargas Jr., son of former world champion Fernando Vargas. Walsh, considered one of the promising young talents of Irish boxing, has said he will bring his technical and disciplined boxing style to the ring.

“Nothing compares to this weekend,” Walsh said. “It’s going to be a good fight. … None of us want to lose. It’s rare to see a fight like this in boxing: two young, undefeated boxers. Boxing needs more of this.”

Vargas said he is not intimidated and promised to prove that he belongs at this level of competition.

“He comes in as the favorite. … It’s something that excites me, something I’ve never felt before,” Vargas said. “Having my back against the wall. … You don’t see fighters putting their records on the line, 17-0 and 14-0, on a stage as big as this. These are the fights that make great fighters.”

Weigh-in results

MAIN CARD

Super middleweight: Canelo Álvarez (167.5 lbs) vs. Terence Crawford (167.5 lbs)

Super welterweight: Callum Walsh (153.5 lbs) vs. Fernando Vargas Jr. (153 lbs)

Super middleweight: Christian Mbilli (167 lbs) vs. Lester Martínez (167 lbs)

Lightweight: Mohammed Alakel (132 lbs) vs. Travis Crawford (132.5 lbs)

PRELIMS

Middleweight: Serhii Bohachuk (155 lbs) vs. Brandon Adams (156 lbs)

Heavyweight: Ivan Dychko (239.5 lbs) vs. Jermaine Franklin Jr. (256 lbs)

Super featherweight: Reito Tsutsumi (129.5 lbs) vs. Javier Martínez (129.5 lbs)

Super lightweight: Sultan Almohammed (132.5 lbs) vs. Martín Caraballo (133 lbs)

Light heavyweight: Steven Nelson (171.5 lbs) vs Raiko Santana (171.5 lbs)

Super middleweight: Marco Verde (158 lbs) vs. Sona Akale (159.5 lbs)

This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.

Terrence Crawford is jumping two weights to fight Canelo Alvarez to unify the super middleweight belts on Saturday.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez stands in the way of Terence Crawford’s bid for boxing history on Saturday when they clash in Las Vegas for Alvarez’s undisputed super middleweight world title.

Crawford, a four-division champion, is jumping up two weight divisions for the bout in a bid to become the first male boxer to become an undisputed champion in three different categories.

Unbeaten with a record of 41-0 with 31 knockouts, Crawford previously claimed all four belts on offer at super lightweight and welterweight.

But the 37-year-old American will step into the ring at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, an underdog against Mexican great Alvarez.

Alvarez, who owns a record of 63-2-2 with 39 knockouts, is also a four-division champ and the only fighter to claim a four-belt undisputed title at super middleweight – first in 2021 and again in May when he beat IBF champion William Scull by a unanimous points decision in Riyadh.

Although Crawford is actually a hair taller than Alvarez with a longer reach, the Mexican superstar’s weight advantage is expected by many to be decisive, even though Crawford has visibly bulked up for the encounter.

The bout is being promoted by Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, which inked Alvarez to a four-fight deal that made him the latest in a growing list of boxers to flock to the kingdom for mega-paydays.

Riyadh Season has teamed with UFC mastermind Dana White to promote the fight that will be streamed globally by Netflix.

“This fight for me is one of the biggest fights in my career,” Alvarez said at a Thursday night news conference attended by thousands of fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

After nearly four years without a knockout win, Alvarez said he is looking for a decisive victory.

“I’ll give it everything I have, and if the knockout comes, good,” he said. “If not, I’m going to show why I’m the best.”

Questions abound as to whether even a muscled-up Crawford will be able to hurt Alvarez.

The Mexican champion has looked a step slower in recent fights, but his counter-punching prowess could be dangerous if Crawford feels compelled to press the action.

Crawford said he wasn’t concerned.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I’m ready to go. Shock the world.”

Crawford has embraced his underdog status, making a point of calling out his critics throughout the build-up to the fight.

“I think people are underestimating everything about me,” he said. “From what everybody says, I haven’t fought anybody.

“It’s been a long time coming, it’s been long overdue,” added Crawford of the spotlight on him this week.

“And come Saturday, I’m going to show the world what they’ve been missing out on.”

Crawford is also ready for a pro-Alvarez crowd in Las Vegas the weekend before the Mexican Independence Day holiday on Tuesday.

One thing Crawford did not appear concerned about was the suggestion that popped up on social media this week that he is battling a shoulder injury.

He mocked the rumours when speaking to reporters.

“My shoulder is messed up, everyone,” he said in response to a question about the rumours. “But don’t tell Canelo.”

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez interrupts presenter Max Kellerman to defend boxing, saying it is a big sport with or without UFC chief Dana White, who is promoting Saturday’s fight between Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

READ MORE: White in fiery exchange with reporter in Vegas

AMIR KHAN fears Canelo Alvarez has lost his hunger for boxing – leaving Terence Crawford ready to feast. 

Canelo defends his undisputed super-middleweight titles against Crawford on Saturday night – which will be the 68th bout of his iconic career. 

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The red-haired boxing hero – who was bullied for his ginger hair earning him the nickname Canelo, which translates to cinnamon in Spanish – turned pro aged just 15. 

And now two decades later the 35-year-old is the sport’s top attraction.

He is on course to become a BILLIONAIRE and has world titles in four division’s clogging up his trophy cabinet. 

So Khan – who was beaten in his retirement fight against Kell Brook in 2022 – reckons Canelo has lost the same fire which burnt him in their 2016 clash. 

Khan, 38, told SunSport: “I think that Crawford takes the fight in my opinion.

“I like Canelo and he’s very respectful but the reason why I think this is because Crawford’s a fresher fighter.

“I’ve just started seeing little things in Canelo in the last couple of fights where he moves more.

“I just don’t think he’s got the fire in the belly like he used to or have that killer instinct like before.

Canelo vs Crawford – All the info

IT’S finally time – one of the biggest boxing matches EVER takes place THIS WEEKEND.

Two of boxing’s GOATs will meet in the ring as they fight for pound-for-pound supremacy and the super-middleweight crown.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford have been fixtures in the top of the rankings for years and are considered among the best to ever do it.

Unbeaten Crawford, who beat Israil Madrimov to win the light-middleweight title last time out, hasn’t fought for a year.

He is jumping up two weight divisions to meet Canelo, having spent most of his career weighing in even lighter.

Mexican favourite Canelo has scored title defences over Edgar Berlanga and William Scull since Crawford was last inside a ring.

Here’s all the info for this must-watch fight…

INFO

LATEST NEWS

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

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CANELO VS CRAWFORD: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

“I don’t think he has that killer instinct now. Normally they have that killer instinct where they wanna go for the kill and hurt the guy, but I think he’s calm and he’s a made man.

“I know how that is. Like when I fought against Brook, you don’t have that fire in your belly like you are coming up and you wanna achieve something.

“You know when you’ve achieved everything – which Canelo in my opinion has when it comes down to belts, titles, and also weight categories and also financially – that fire in the belly just goes and I know you might say that it might not go, it’s automatically it’s gonna happen.

“Your mind’s a very strong muscle that it just takes over your whole body.” 

Khan boxed to an early lead against Canelo almost ten years ago – before a frightening right hand in the sixth robbed him of his momentum and senses. 

The former super-lightweight champ was caught so hard he was out for the count well before the he even hit the deck. 

Khan said: “I don’t know if he’s got the same kind of power that he had then, but in my opinion, he does hit very, very hard.

“I mean, even before I hit the floor, I was probably knocked out, to be honest with you. That’s how hard he hit me. So that just shows pure power.

“The guy’s very strong and he can definitely hurt someone really badly. But like I said, I don’t know how much power he has left in him now.

“Obviously, as you get older, the power’s not gonna be the same, but I’m sure it’s still very strong.”

Crawford, 37, beat a past-his best Khan in 2019 but the pair reunited as training partners three years later before the Brook grudge bout. 

That was at the 10st 7lb welterweight limit – but Crawford now finds himself up THREE divisions to challenge for Canelo’s 12st throne. 

I just don’t think he’s got the fire in the belly like he used to or have that killer instinct like before.

Amir Khan on Canelo

But Khan – who had Crawford in the corner the night he lost to Brook – warned the unbeaten American can hang with the biggest and best of them. 

He said: “Crawford is a bigger guy in camp. He’s always a stronger and bigger guy. I’ve seen him take down heavyweights.

“The guy, he’s a good wrestler and also he’s just a very strong guy. He’s got a strong upper body.

“So yeah, I don’t think anyone’s gonna give him any problems, especially Canelo, I don’t think Canelo’s gonna give him any problems.

“Look, you make them wrestle, I guarantee you Crawford will take Canelo down easy. That’s how strong he is.

“He’s a very good strong wrestler as well. But obviously that shows how much strength he has, core strength is solid. He’s a solid guy.”

The pound-for-pound greats meet at the Las Vegas Raiders’ 65,000-seat NFL stadium – streamed live on Netflix. 

It has the hallmarks of a bonafide super-fight for the ages – one Khan reckons cannot disappoint. 

He said: It’s gonna be a fantastic fight though still regardless because one thing I can say about both fighters is that they’re not gonna sit back and they’re not gonna put on a performance, they’re gonna fight till they die.

“But I just feel that Crawford has that little bit more than Canelo.”

CANELO ALVAREZ is set to earn over $100MILLION for his fight with Terence Crawford – after agreeing a historic deal.

The Mexican superstar defends his super-middleweight titles against unbeaten Crawford in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

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UFC boss Dana White is promoting the mega-bout alongside Saudi Arabia money man Turki Alalshikh.

Alalshikh was probed on whether he will deliver a $100m payday for Canelo – but the Riyadh powerbroker is going one further.

“You get the number wrong. That contract between us and Canelo is more than that,” Alalshikh said when asked about a $100m purse.

“Congrats, Canelo.” Crawford said from across the press conference table.

Canelo, 35, was in shock talks to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 28, on May 3 in Vegas.

But Alalshikh instead offered Canelo a fresh multi-fight deal to snub the spectacle bout against Paul.

Canelo accepted and defeated William Scull, 33, in May to win back the IBF title to once again become undisputed champion.

And he defends the crown against Crawford after penning a historic deal with Riyadh Season’s Alalshikh.

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CANELO VS CRAWFORD: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

Canelo vs Crawford – All the info

IT’S finally time – one of the biggest boxing matches EVER takes place THIS WEEKEND.

Two of boxing’s GOATs will meet in the ring as they fight for pound-for-pound supremacy and the super-middleweight crown.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford have been fixtures in the top of the rankings for years and are considered among the best to ever do it.

Unbeaten Crawford, who beat Israil Madrimov to win the light-middleweight title last time out, hasn’t fought for a year.

He is jumping up two weight divisions to meet Canelo, having spent most of his career weighing in even lighter.

Mexican favourite Canelo has scored title defences over Edgar Berlanga and William Scull since Crawford was last inside a ring.

Here’s all the info for this must-watch fight…

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LATEST NEWS

“I want to say something; thank you also to Canelo to accept this fight and accept to do it,” Alalshikh said.

“And honestly, we signed Canelo the biggest history contract ever to happen in boxing for three fights.

“On Saturday I hope to see a great fight, they will give everything and I hope for their safety.”

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RENO, Nevada — The history of Mexican boxing features names that transcend generations. From Julio César Chávez, recognized as the pinnacle of Mexican boxing, to legendary figures such as Juan Manuel Márquez, Rubén ‘Púas’ Olivares, Salvador Sánchez, Ricardo ‘Finito’ López and Carlos ‘Cañas’ Zárate — all have proudly carried the name of Mexican flag to the peak of the boxing world.

The tradition of Aztec dominance has been continued in a big way by Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who on Oct. 29 will celebrate a historic 20-year professional career that began when he was just 15 years old, when he made his professional debut against Abraham González. Two decades later, with a legacy built on titles and big stages, Álvarez paused to reflect on his development from red-headed teenager who dreamed of being the best in the world to the current king of Mexican boxing with 63 victories.

Canelo Álvarez, left; UFC CEO Dana White, center; and Terence Crawford, right, speak during a news conference at at T-Mobile Arena on June 27.

(David Becker / Getty Images for Netflix)

“I’ve achieved everything in boxing, imagine how satisfying that is for me,” Álvarez told L.A. Times en Español during his training camp in Reno, Nev.

The celebration has already been planned and, like everything else involving Álvarez, it will be private but “on a grand scale.” The magnitude will likely depend on whether he emerges victorious when he defends his four belts against the undefeated Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) Saturday (6 p.m., Netflix), at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

“I think I’ve done some really good things in boxing and I’m very proud of that kid who started out with the dream of being the best in the world,” said the 35-year-old from Jalisco.

That kid, as his brother, Ricardo, recalls, was no different from any other teen in Guadalajara, except for an unusual obsession: to succeed in a brutal and demanding sport. His journey began in local gyms, under the tutelage of Chepo Reynoso and his son, Eddy, who saw extraordinary potential. It was there that Canelo Álvarez heard the words that would forever mark his destiny.

Boxer Canelo Álvarez, center, poses alongside his trainers Chepo Reynoso, left, and Eddy Reynoso, right, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2018.

(Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

“‘With the talent you have, you’ll get wherever you want to go,’ is what they always told me, and it stuck in my mind,” Canelo said, recalling his early days with Chepo, his trainer since he was 14 years old.

Two decades later, Canelo says that advice is still the message he would repeat to himself if he could travel back in time. Because those words not only fueled his hunger, they gave him conviction.

“I would just tell that kid what he already knows, that ‘you’re going to get wherever you want to go,’” Canelo said.

Two decades later, that kid not only fulfilled his promise, but exceeded it. He became a champion in multiple divisions, a global icon and, above all, a man who continues to look ahead.

The story of Canelo Álvarez is not just that of a boxer, but of a dream fulfilled through discipline, sacrifice and faith. And yet, as Ricardo often says, “he still has a long way to go.”

Canelo’s journey has not been improvised or meteoric, but rather a project shaped by patience and discipline. Eddy, who has also been Canelo’s trainer since adolescence, recalls constantly learning alongside Canelo.

“In 2000, I started training boxers with my dad — first amateurs and then professionals. We formed a group of kids and teenagers, and that’s where Saúl came from,” Eddy said.

That connection, forged in the gyms of Jalisco, was the beginning of one of the most successful partnerships in boxing history. Eddy was inspired by figures such as Julián Magdaleno and Rafael Mendoza, coaches who instilled in him the ambition to be someone great in the sport.

Canelo Alvarez celebrates with his family after defeating John Ryder at Akron Stadium in 2023 in Zapopan, Mexico.

(Hector Vivas / Getty Images)

“I always imagined myself being someone important in boxing,” Eddy said. “And with Saúl, we’ve achieved that.”

In his two-decade career, Canelo has moved up in weight class, stage and demand. He has done so by facing Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Gennady Golovkin, against whom he fought a memorable trilogy.

Although he suffered his first career defeat in 2013 against Mayweather, it was the fight that paved the way for his success not only as a champion, but also as an entrepreneur and businessman.

However, it is the second fight against Golovkin in September 2018 that holds a special place in Canelo’s heart.

“It was very emotional for me because of many things surrounding the fight,” Canelo said. “Confirming that I was better than him, everything that had been said. [It] was a very special moment.”

Eddy agrees that that night was a high point.

“I saw him very happy when he beat Golovkin in the second round. Also, when he beat Miguel Cotto, or even in his early four-round fights. Every win has had meaning, but that victory over ‘GGG’ was special.”

Little by little, Canelo learned from his mistakes and cleared his path to become the economic and sporting powerhouse he is today. Along the way, he fell out with Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya in 2020, with whom he first became a superstar, and made a miscalculation by moving up to light heavyweight and losing for the second time in his career, this time to Dmitry Bivol in 2022.

The darkest moment of his career came in 2018 when he was suspended for six months by the Nevada Athletic Commission for testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. According to Canelo’s team, this was because of contaminated meat he ate during a visit to Mexico. Clenbuterol is sometimes used in cattle feed to increase muscle mass.

Beyond the belts, the million-dollar purses and the fame, Canelo’s career has been supported by his unwavering family, particularly during the difficult times.

“It’s been a long 20-year career,” said Ricardo, one of Canelo’s six older brothers. “We’ve always been united in supporting him. He’s become the star of boxing, the face of boxing. We’re very proud of him, and he’s very proud of what he’s achieved and what he still has to achieve. He was born for this, I’ve always told him, he was born for this.”

The family has celebrated every victory and accompanied him through every obstacle. For them, the fight against Crawford is not just a sporting challenge, it’s also a family reunion.

“We are going to celebrate with great happiness, with the family, more than anything else united, with friends and team. All together, as always,” said Ricardo.

Canelo Alvarez hits Jaime Munguia during a super middleweight title fight on May 4, 2024, in Las Vegas.

(John Locher / Associated Press)

In the Álvarez family’s memory, there are moments that define their history, anecdotes that serve as symbols of everything that was to come. Ricardo remembered one of them with particular clarity: the night they went to the movies to see “Cinderella Man,” the 2005 film about James J. Braddock, the boxer who persevered during the Great Depression and fought for a world title.

As they left the room, Ricardo asked his younger brother, “Can you imagine fighting on a stage like that one day?”

Canelo recalled telling his brother: “I wanted to succeed like that boxer, but with a different ending, fighting in world championships on the biggest stages.”

With a career that has taken Canelo to Madison Square Garden, the MGM Grand and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo recognizes he made the goal come true.

“Now that we’ve talked about it after all these years, he says to me, ‘And what do you think? I’ve already fought on the best stages.’ And yes, he’s achieved everything,” Ricardo said.

Canelo Álvarez, left, with brother, Ricardo.

(HANDOUT / INSTAGRAM)

Saturday’s setting will once again be monumental: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Awaiting him there will be Crawford, who is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter today.

For Eddy, this fight represents a clash of styles and power.

“A huge fight is coming between two of the world’s greatest powerhouses, Mexico and the United States. We’re going to show that the Mexican school is the best,” Eddy said.

Ricardo also recognizes the magnitude of the challenge: “[Canelo] has had big fights, with Cotto, Golovkin, Mayweather. But you can feel what this fight means in the atmosphere. It’s the biggest fight today, and I’m sure it’s going to surprise people.”

Canelo, for his part, takes it in stride.

“It means a lot to me to continue fighting in big fights, in a stadium as important as Allegiant,” he said. “I’m happy and excited to be there.”

It’s still unclear how exactly Canelo will celebrate Oct. 29 and his two decades of boxing.

Eddy envisions joining the celebration with a resounding victory.

“We’re going to win this fight by knockout,” Eddy promises, “and then we’re going to have a big party in Mexico.”

This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.

Two of boxing’s greatest fighters, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford, will put their legacies on the line when they meet in a contest being called the “Fight of the Century”.

The pair will clash in a fascinating unified super middleweight title matchup in the United States that sees Alvarez, the reigning super middleweight champion at 76kg (168lb), defend his titles against Crawford, an American who has won 10 world titles boxing at lighter weight classifications but has never fought in excess of 70kg (154lb) and is jumping up two weight classes to fight his Mexican opponent.

Here’s what you need to know before the fight:

When is the Alvarez-Crawford fight?

The ring walk for Saturday’s main fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, is scheduled for 8pm (03:00 GMT Sunday), and the bout will begin a short time later.

Where is the Alvarez-Crawford fight taking place?

The venue for the match is the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team.

The venue is being used because it has a much larger capacity than other indoor boxing venues typically used, namely T-Mobile Arena, which holds 20,000 people for boxing and UFC contests.

Where can I follow and watch the fight live?

You can follow Al Jazeera’s build-up and live fight text and photo coverage here.

The bout will be streamed live globally on Netflix. A subscription is required to watch the event.

What are the pre-fight events?

Building up to the fight, the main news conference will occur at 3pm (22:00 GMT) on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.

The official weigh-in will take place on Friday at 3pm (22:00 GMT), also at T-Mobile Arena.

What titles are Alvarez and Crawford fighting for?

Alvarez and Crawford are fighting for the Mexican’s WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC super middleweight world titles as well as the Ring Magazine title.

If Crawford beats Alvarez, he will become the first male boxer to be a three-weight-class undisputed champion in the four-belt era.

How much weight does Crawford have to gain to fight Alvarez?

Crawford, the current WBA super welterweight champion, will jump up about 6kg (14lb) to reach the 76kg (168lb) weight limit for the super middleweight bout against Alvarez.

The American will have a slight height advantage over Alvarez, standing 1.73 metres (5ft, 8 inches) vs his opponent’s 1.71 metres (5ft, 7.5 inches).

Crawford also has a 10cm (4-inch) reach advantage over the Mexican fighter (188cm/74 inches vs 178cm/70 inches).

Is Crawford carrying a shoulder injury?

There has been constant speculation in recent days that Crawford is struggling with a shoulder injury heading into Saturday’s huge fight.

In a Fight Hub TV interview broadcast on Tuesday, he denied the injury rumours.

“Where I got the shoulder injury from, I don’t know. I see people coming up with all their own antics, you know ‘Terrence Crawford got a shoulder injury,’ ‘Terrence Crawford is out of shape,’ ‘Terrence Crawford’s slow.’ They coming up with all kinds of stuff,” he said.

Who is Canelo Alvarez?

Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs), is Mexico’s biggest boxing star and a winner of 11 boxing world titles over an illustrious 20-year career.

The orthodox fighter never enjoyed a sterling amateur career, having turned professional at just 15 years old.

The 35-year-old is a four-division world champion: light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.

In 2021, Alvarez became the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion when he knocked out Caleb Plant.

His two career losses have come against fellow legends Floyd Mayweather Jr and Dmitry Bivol but did little to dent Alvarez’s enormous popularity with boxing fans across the world.

Who is Terence Crawford?

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) from Omaha, Nebraska, began his boxing career in 2008 and is undefeated as a professional.

The 37-year-old southpaw, who has won 10-world titles in total, is a former lightweight champion, junior welterweight undisputed champion and welterweight undisputed champion. Crawford is the current unified welterweight champion and WBA junior middleweight champion.

For his career, he is a four-division world champion and has held undisputed titles in two weight classes: super lightweight and welterweight.

Who is on the undercard?

The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 3:30pm (22:30 GMT) and the main card at 6pm (01:00 GMT on Sunday).

Main event:

• Alvarez vs Crawford (super middleweight)
• Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr (super welterweight – co-main event)
• Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez (super middleweight)
• Mohammed Alakel vs John Ornelas (lightweight)

Preliminary card:

• Serhii Bohachuk vs Brandon Adams (middleweight)
• Ivan Dychko vs Jermaine Franklin (heavyweight)
• Reito Tsutsumi vs Javier Martinez (super featherweight)
• Sultan Almohammed vs Martin Caraballo (super lightweight)
• Steven Nelson vs Raiko Santana (light heavyweight)
• Marco Verde vs Marcos Osorio Betancourt (super middleweight)

What is the fight purse?

The total prize money has not been revealed, but it has been calculated as high as $150m, according to multiple media reports.

Alvarez will have a career-high payday with the Mexican earning a minimum of $100m for this fight thanks to signing one of the most lucrative boxing contracts in history: an astronomical five-fight, $400m deal with Saudi promoter Turki Al-Sheikh’s Riyadh Season.

Crawford is guaranteed a minimum of $10m although his final figure is likely to be substantially higher with bonuses and other payments.

Crawford, when asked about rumours of a $50m payday during a recent interview on the Ring Champs podcast, rejected the figure.

“I got $10m for that fight [with Alvarez],” Crawford said of his guaranteed prize purse.

What has Alvarez said about the fight?

Alvarez, speaking at the Grand Arrivals event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, asked whether Crawford’s team have underestimated moving up two weight classes.

“No, they don’t [underestimate the weight class]. Maybe they know, but if not, then I’m going to remind them September 13 I can do a lot of things in the ring, and I’m going to put everything there on Saturday night,” he said.

When asked about Crawford’s recent social post that appears to reveal extra muscle mass on the American fighter, Alvarez commented that he thought that bodes well for a competitive contest.

“I feel happy because you know that you realise it’s going to be a good fight. So we expect a good fight.”

What has Crawford said about the fight?

Crawford is calling the matchup the biggest fight in boxing in “probably a decade” as he bids to become the first male boxer to be undisputed in three weight classes.

“Canelo don’t want to lose to a guy moving up two weight classes,” Crawford said. “You know, he don’t want a smaller guy dethroning him from his undisputed status. Terence Crawford wants to move up and do all those things.

“He’s got a lot to lose. I got a lot to win. I got a lot to lose. He’s got a lot to win.”

The American praised Alvarez’s experience and career while backing his own tools to carry the night.

“Canelo is very experienced. I’m very experienced as well. You got two experienced fighters going head-to-head. The best man is going to win,” he said, adding that his footwork and speed could be decisive.

“I admire his whole career. He and his team have done a tremendous job,” Crawford said, adding that after he wins the battle, he will wish Alvarez “nothing but the best”.

Crawford predicted how the bout would end: “Victory. A good victory… They’re going to be saying that I’m the greatest of this generation and this era.”

Who is the favourite to win the match?

Multiple betting agencies around the world have Alvarez as the favourite to win the fight – but not by a wide margin.

On average, the Mexican pays out $1.60 for the victory vs Crawford’s $2.60 across several well-known betting pools.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is on Aston Villa’s transfer wish list, Chelsea are bidding to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons and Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho, plus Tottenham eye Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche.

Aston Villa are exploring the viability of a move to sign Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, from Chelsea but the asking price needs to be lower than £60m due to the West Midlands club’s financial restrictions. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Bayern Munich’s move for French forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, has stalled, delaying Chelsea’s attempts to sign RB Leipzig’s 22-year-old Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons. (Guardian), external

Chelsea are set to increase their efforts to sign Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United but the 21-year-old will not be allowed to leave Old Trafford on the cheap. (Evening Standard), external

Newcastle are unwilling to pay more than £40m for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa but the Bees have put a £60m price tag on the 28-year-old DR Congo international. (Northern Echo), external

Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen remains of interest to Newcastle – although the 25-year-old Norwegian is not hankering to leave Molineux. (The Athletic – subscription required), external

Tottenham have targeted Monaco’s £47.5m-rated French attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, 23, as a cheaper alternative to Brazil winger Savinho with Manchester City demanding £70m for the 21-year-old. (Independent), external

Crystal Palace want 19-year-old Southampton winger Tyler Dibling to replace fellow Englishman Eberechi Eze, 27, whose move to Tottenham is edging closer. (Talksport), external

Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, is set to join Nottingham Forest from Juventus after Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis brokered a deal with the Turin club’s general manager Damien Comolli. (Tuttosport – in Italian), external

Leeds are poised to sign 25-year-old Switzerland striker Noah Okafor from AC Milan in a deal worth £18.4m (21m euros). (Sky Sports Italy – in Italian), external

Wolves and West Ham are both interested in Spain midfielder Marc Casado but face a tough ask persuading the 21-year-old to leave Barcelona. (Marca – in Spanish), external

West Ham are close to finalising a deal which will allow 27-year-old Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez to join Fenerbahce on loan. (Talksport), external

Espanyol are in talks with Burnley over re-signing 20-year-old Italy U21 forward Luca Koleosho on a season-long loan. (Sky Sports), external

Brazil forward Rodrigo Muniz’s move from Fulham to Atalanta is off after the Cottagers rejected a proposed £35m deal for the 24-year-old from the Serie A club. (Fabrizio Romano), external