Mohammed Alakel Keen To Improve, Ready For Step Up On Canelo-Crawford Undercard
Sep 13, 2025
1 min read
After scoring a first-round finish last month, Riyadh-born junior lightweight hopeful Mohammed Alakel returns on another big card and entering new territory this weekend: his first ten-rounder against a live opponent in Travis Kent Crawford. He told Th...
Big stages tend to engulf fighters, especially those not used to them.
No one would blame Mohammed Alakel if he folded. He’s incredibly young and doesn’t have a ton of pro experience with just five fights. But, the 21-year-old doesn’t want any excuses.
Four weeks after a first-round knockout win on the Moses Itauma-Dillian Whyte undercard, the Riyadh-born junior lightweight contender now heads into the biggest fight of his life.
Countless eyeballs will be on him when he takes on Travis Kent Crawford as part of a nine-fight, two-part undercard preceding Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on September 13.
Texas-born hopeful Crawford (7-4, 2 KOs) has suffered six-round decision defeats in his last two contests, so while he's not exactly in-form, the gigantic stage will serve as a motivator for the 22-year-old.
The nerves haven't kicked in just yet on the other side, but even when they do, Alakel (5-0, 1 KO) doesn't believe it will impact his performance come fight night.
"It's a big stage but I believe I was born for it," Alakel told The Ring. "I'm not shying away from this moment, I'm ready for it."
Activity and exposure on big cards like this has been the roadmap for Alakel, as he steadily develops towards his peak and final destination. Ultimately, fights like this - his first scheduled 10-rounder - will prove an invaluable experience.
"I just want to continue stepping up my level of competition," Alakel continued. "I want to keep getting better and step up my competition. That's the only way to get to the top - exactly where I want to be."
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