In a turn of events that has rocked the boxing world and beyond, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight world champion, has rejected a $10 million offer from Elon Musk, the tech mogul and CEO of Tesla and xAI, to participate in a high-profile exhibition event. The announcement, made by Canelo on June 8, 2025, during a press conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, left fans, analysts, and Musk himself stunned. His words, laced with conviction, have ignited a social media frenzy: “I don’t fight for money, I fight for legacy.”
Musk’s Offer: An Unprecedented Spectacle
According to sources close to the situation, Musk approached Canelo’s team in late May 2025 with a bold proposal: an exhibition fight at a futuristic event sponsored by xAI, which would stream exclusively on X and feature augmented reality technology for an immersive experience. The offer included a $10 million guarantee for Canelo regardless of the outcome, with the possibility of pay-per-view bonuses. The opponent was not revealed, but rumors at X suggest Musk had in mind a matchup with a high-profile figure outside of boxing, possibly a UFC star or even an influencer.
Musk, known for his bold moves, promoted the idea on X on June 5, writing, “The future of entertainment is now. Imagine a fight where technology and talent collide. Canelo would be perfect!” The post racked up millions of views, fueling speculation about a spectacle that could redefine sporting events.
Canelo’s Brutal Response
However, Canelo wasn’t impressed. At the press conference, the 34-year-old Mexican addressed the offer with his characteristically direct style. “Elon Musk is a man of big ideas, I respect him,” Canelo said. “But I don’t fight for money, I fight for legacy. Ten million doesn’t buy my story or my pride. If I’m going to step into the ring, it’ll be against the best, not for a light show.” His words, delivered with a mixture of calm and defiance, left the audience silent before they erupted into applause.
Canelo continued, emphasizing his focus on meaningful fights. “I want Bivol back, or Benavidez, or someone who will really challenge me,” he stated, referring to a potential rematch with Dmitry Bivol, who defeated him in 2022, or a long-awaited showdown with David Benavidez. “I’m not here for games. Boxing is my life, not a circus.”
Explosive Reactions
Canelo’s decision and comments have sparked a storm on social media. On X, fans were divided. One user wrote: “Canelo just humiliated Musk’s offer. That’s principled! #Legend.” Another retorted: “Turn down 10 million? Canelo is crazy, that was easy money for an exhibition.” Analysts also weighed in. Teddy Atlas, on his podcast THE FIGHT , praised Canelo’s stance: “This is why he’s a superstar. He’s protecting the sport.” Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith, on First Take , questioned the decision: “It’s an exhibition, not a real fight. Why not take the money and carry on your legacy?”
Musk himself responded on X on June 10, writing: “I respect Canelo’s decision, but he’s underestimating the impact this could have. The offer still stands.” The post sparked speculation that Musk could increase the sum or seek out another boxing star, with names like Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia circulating online.
The Context: Canelo at the Top
Canelo, with a record of 62-2-2 (39 KOs), is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga in September 2024, defending his WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight titles. At 34, he remains the face of boxing, with a clear focus on cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time. His rejection of Musk’s offer reinforces his image as a fighter driven by passion rather than money, especially after past criticism for avoiding certain fights.
Canelo’s next fight is still unconfirmed, but rumors point to a December 2025 bout against either Bivol or Benavidez, with promoters working to finalize a deal. The decision to turn down Musk could put pressure on Canelo to accept a high-stakes challenge, with fans in the wild demanding, “If Canelo wants a legacy, let him fight Benavidez now.”
What’s Next?
Canelo’s rejection of Musk’s offer has elevated his stature as a man of principle, but it has also intensified the pressure to deliver a fight that lives up to his own promise. Meanwhile, Musk, known for not giving up easily, could redouble his efforts to lure another fighting superstar to the xAI event. The saga has captured the world’s attention, with boxing once again at the center of global conversation.
Will Canelo prove his point in the ring against an elite contender, or will Musk manage to tempt another big name? The drama is just beginning. For updates, follow the conversation on X or visit www.boxingscene.com.