The build-up to Terence Crawford’s showdown with Canelo Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was already filled with anticipation, but the atmosphere reached another level when Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese made her way into Crawford’s locker room. The meeting between the WNBA star and the reigning boxing champion became one of the night’s most talked-about pre-fight moments.
Crawford, now at the height of his career, faces a test unlike any he has taken before. By moving up two weight classes to meet Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight title, he has placed himself in the path of a fighter who has not tasted defeat since 2022 and has only fallen twice in a professional career that stretches across decades. Crawford tipped the scales at a career-best 167.5 pounds, a stark contrast to the 153.4 pounds he carried into the ring just last summer against Israil Madrimov. Every detail of his preparation speaks to the magnitude of this fight — a battle that could shift the course of boxing history.
Angel Reese’s arrival only amplified the spectacle. At 23, she has quickly become one of the brightest young faces in women’s basketball. Yet her 2025 season was turbulent, defined by a mix of triumph and adversity. She missed the final three games of the year due to back issues and lingering internal tensions within her team. Earlier in the season, she sat out a game and a half while serving a suspension. In true Reese fashion, she leaned into her “Offseason Barbie” persona once the schedule closed, flying to Las Vegas with friends to bask in the energy of one of the biggest nights in sports.
Dressed in an all-black outfit that commanded attention, Reese’s presence drew plenty of eyes inside Allegiant Stadium. But the most memorable images came from her time with Crawford before his ring walk. The two shared a warm handshake, a hug, and a quick conversation. Cameras captured the striking contrast in their heights — Reese, already 6-foot-3, stood even taller in heels, easily overshadowing the 5-foot-8 champion. Fans immediately took to social media, joking about the size difference, teasing the lighthearted moment, and speculating whether it might unsettle Crawford’s laser focus.
If anything, the interaction only seemed to add to the evening’s entertainment value. Reese, showing her playful side, even mimicked a few boxing moves in the locker room, throwing mock punches while Crawford laughed along. The scene highlighted not just the crossover of stars from different sports but also the cultural weight surrounding a fight that had already attracted massive global attention.
Reese was not the only celebrity name adding star power to the night. Allegiant Stadium brimmed with icons and influencers — boxing legend Mike Tyson, NFL great Marshawn Lynch, YouTube titan MrBeast, and Hollywood star Jason Statham were all spotted in attendance, lending the bout the atmosphere of both a sporting event and a red-carpet premiere.
For Crawford, the challenge could not be more serious. He is determined to dethrone Alvarez and cement his status among the all-time greats by securing the undisputed crown in yet another weight division. For Reese, her locker-room visit showcased her place in the modern sports spotlight, transcending basketball to become a recognizable cultural figure.
Together, their moment before the fight represented exactly what nights like these are about: the intersection of sport, celebrity, and spectacle. A handshake, a hug, a brief exchange of words — simple acts that echoed loudly in the lead-up to one of boxing’s grandest stages.
