Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are rumoured to headline a Saudi-backed card this year, in what would be a meeting of two of boxing’s most elite pound-for-pound talents of recent times.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has found himself at something of a crossroads recently. As his career begins to slow down, with the Mexican suggesting he will retire in the next five years, he has faced much criticism for avoiding certain opponents, in favour of what many would describe as easier opposition. Since daring to be great at light-heavyweight against Dmitry Bivol, Canelo has faced an aged Golovkin, went the distance with John Ryder, fought a natural super-welterweight in Jermell Charlo, and defeated Jaime Munguia, and Edgar Berlanga.
As a result of this criticism, Canelo’s options for a next opponent are limited. With the likes of William Scull and Christian Mbilli potentially inciting more criticism, and the David Benavidez fight potentially proving too much of a risk at this stage in Canelo’s career, it seems there is only one place to turn – a super fight with Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford.
Terence Crawford Believed Canelo Fight Couldn’t be Made Due to Mexican’s Size
In an interview in 2020, Crawford was asked, ‘Do you see in the future a fight with the Mexican warrior [Canelo]?’
Crawford, who holds wins over Errol Spence Jr, Amir Khan, Kell Brook and many more, answered the question, stating, ‘Nah I don’t think me and Canelo will ever fight. He’s 168-175 and I’m just 147, so I’ll never see that fight ever really happening.’
It seems the size discrepancy is, for many, the deciding factor in the fantasy match-up, which is rumoured for the US this year. Though he started his career at lightweight, Crawford has gone on to capture world titles in four weight divisions, most recently defeating Israil Madrimov at super-welterweight, a fight which saw Crawford go the distance for the first time since 2016.
Crawford may have defeated Madrimov, but with very close scorecards, it seems moving up in weight again may prove to be a step too far for the Omaha native, especially given Canelo’s career has seen the Mexican climb as far as the light-heavyweight division, in which he stopped Sergey Kovalev in 2019.
Former World Champ Would Bet ‘Any Amount of Money’ on Canelo Beating Terence Crawford
As a result of the size discrepancy, it is no surprise that boxers are picking Canelo to win, with one such name being ‘Rolly’ Romero, who said to ESNEWS, ‘You’re gonna compare a 168lb solid grown man Canelo to fight Terence Crawford?‘
He continues, ‘All the people who think Crawford would even have a single chance against Canelo, they’re f*****g stupid. It’s not even close. If anyone truly believes Crawford will beat Canelo I will bet them any amount of money. They have weight classes for a reason.’
Crawford wouldn’t be the first fighter to win against such adversity, as Oleksandr Usyk notably bested a 55lb weight difference in his rematch with Tyson Fury.
Matchroom Chairman and promoter Eddie Hearn also has doubts about the weight difference, commenting that ‘Canelo’s gonna be 190 pounds, or 185 pounds,’ and that Crawford will be faced with ‘a massive disadvantage [that] becomes a way that you can’t win the fight.’
The pair were named as one of Turki Alalshikh’s top fights he’d like to make for 2025, and the fight is closer than ever, even after Turki Alalshikh previously criticised Canelo’s demands. The pair are said to be negotiating a fight in Las Vegas for September, with the Allegiant Stadium emerging as a potential location.
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