The expected fight between Saúl Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, which takes place this Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, has been marked by an unexpected controversy: the Mexican National Anthem will not be sung.
This despite being celebrated on Mexican Independence Day, a deeply significant date for millions of Mexicans in the United States.
Canelo fight without Anthem
According to ESPN journalist Salvador Rodríguez, the decision was made by the company in charge of broadcasting the event: Netflix, which has exclusive rights to the billboard.
According to reports shared on social networks, Mexican singer Fey was to perform the Mexican National Anthem as part of the pre-fight ceremony, but this was cancelled at the last minute.
“Popular singer Fey will be left wanting to sing the Mexican National Anthem at Allegiant Stadium. I’m told there will be no anthem tonight at Canelo vs Crawford,” Rodriguez wrote on his official X account (formerly Twitter).
This information was supported by host Fernanda Familiar, who also expressed her disagreement on social networks, pointing directly to Netflix as responsible for the decision:
“Netflix just said that on the day of Mexico’s Grito de Independencia, where millions of Mexicans will gather to watch the Canelo fight, there is not going to be a National Anthem before the match. It is unthinkable that Netflix would make such a decision. Our National Anthem should always represent us before a fight, especially this one, which is so significant.
The news was also shared by Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), who had previously denounced logistical problems with the organization of the event.
According to him, he will not even be allowed to enter the ring to place the special belt on the winner, which has generated even more tensions with the organizers.
The Mexican community in the U.S. reacts
Buzzy
The omission of the National Anthem has provoked a wave of reactions among fans, especially among the millions of Latinos in the United States who follow Canelo Alvarez’s career and who see this type of event as an opportunity to reaffirm their Mexican identity and pride.
In cities such as Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix and Chicago, where a large Mexican community resides, the fight coincides with celebrations of the Grito de Independencia, which makes the decision even more sensitive.
Some users have expressed their intention to sing the hymn a cappella at family gatherings or community centers, as a symbolic way of keeping the patriotic tradition alive amidst the spectacle.
Se quedará la popular cantante Fey con las ganas de entonar el Himno Nacional Mexicano en el Allegiant Stadium. Me dicen que no habrá himnos esta noche en Canelo vs Crawford
Salvador Rodríguez, comentarista de ESPN
