Alvarez vs. Crawford: Invest in Rookie Cards
- Patrice Journ
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
On September 13, in Las Vegas, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Terence "Bud" Crawford will clash for Alvarez's undisputed super middleweight championship. This event will not only take place in the boxing capital but will also stream live on Netflix, bringing the excitement to a global audience.
Boxing cards occupy a niche market with considerable potential. Due to limited print runs and very little exclusive certification deals, boxing cards have a strong upside for collectors. Autographs and rookie cards of both legendary and up-and-coming fighters regularly fetch thousands of dollars. The partnership with a platform like Netflix has demonstrated remarkable reach, as seen with the Tyson vs. Paul event, which, despite being more exhibition than competitive, successfully drew new audiences to the sport. This bout promises to reignite interest in the "Noble Art," potentially setting new standards in how boxing engages its fans.
Who do you think will win?
0%Canelo "Saul' Alvarez
0%Terence "Bud" Crawford
So here is the list of the very few cards from Canelo and Crawford that have great value, most are rookie years or autographs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez:
Upper Deck struck a visionary deal with Canelo Alvarez in 2014, producing several notable cards, particularly from the promotional sets and 2014 Goodwin Champions. These cards are considered his rookies. We've also highlighted some miscellaneous and non-rookie picks with significant potential upside.
It's important to note that within the 2014 UD autograph sets on the market, some cards are officially certified by the company, while others are base cards that Canelo signed afterward. You can easily find certification information on the back of each card.
2014 Upper Deck Las Vegas Industry Summit # LV2DA Oscar De La Hoya/Canelo Alvarez Dual Signed Card
Canelo’s rarest and most expensive card to date is a dual autograph card with Oscar de la Hoya, produced for The Industry Summit in Las Vegas in 2014. It's the holy grail for collectors, with only 15 copies made, capturing the essence of their rivalry. The latest copy sold for a hefty $5,400 at Goldin Auctions in 2022.
2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Goudey Autographs # 40 Canelo Alvarez Signed Rookie Card
In his rookie year, the Goudey autograph is highly prized due to its low population among graders, a classic color contrast, and most crucially: Canelo’s elegantly signed vivid blue ink signature. This important detail boosts the card's value, with recent sales at Goldin reaching around $2,000. Currently, mostly after-signed on cards are available on the market.
2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Sport Royalty Autograph # SRA-CA Canelo Alvarez Signed Rookie Card
Personally, we favor the Sport Royalty insert. Although Saul's signatures aren't as elegant as those on the Goudey, the classic frame and boxing stance make it a standout. Depending on grade, these cards have recently sold for $800 to $1,000 for a Gem Mint.
2014 UD 25th Anniversary Canelo Alvarez
No longer regarded as a 'rookie' card, the 25th Anniversary set debuted later in a special hobby box. Beyond regular editions, there are limited serials for the silver version (250 copies) and only 25 copies for the autograph. The base sells from $50 raw to $150 graded, though the serialized versions are rare finds these days.
2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Canelo Alvarez # 13
This is likely the most accessible option from Canelo's rookie year. While hard-signed certified copies are extremely rare, regular versions sell for about $150 for a graded card in good condition. After-signed copies can fetch between $750 to $1,000 or more, depending on their grade.
2016 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini Non-Baseball Autographs # AGA-CA Canelo Alvarez Signed Card - Silver or Gold
Among miscellaneous cards post-rookie year, Allen & Ginter frames have become classics. Prices range from $500 for the silver to $700 for the gold, depending on grade. This insert is noteworthy as one of the few certified signatures Canelo completed under his initial Upper Deck contract.
Terence "Bud" Crawford: The selection of official rookie cards for Terence is rather limited. As with many pro boxers affiliated with Seidman Production Inc., which produces fighter cards through Seidman's Boxing Program, these cards are the only recognized and valuable ones.
2016 Seidman’s Boxing Program Terence Crawford #13
This is Terence's rookie card, which can exceed $1,000 for a gem mint graded version.
2021 Seidman’s Boxing Program Terence Crawford # 61
There have been a few more Seidman editions over the years, but the 2021 WBO Welterweight Champion remains the most notable, featuring Crawford’s iconic “Bud” stance. It’s still a rare find for collectors. This card is taken from the official fight artwork and was produced for the Crawford-Porter fight program.
If there are any other gems from these two legends, feel free to let us know in the comments below. Happy hunting!
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