Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has indicated a willingness to entertain a matchup against Terence Crawford, but only if the financial incentives align. The Mexican superstar has previously expressed reluctance regarding a fight with Crawford, primarily due to the disparity in their weight classes. Canelo has maintained that defeating a smaller opponent would yield little to no credit for him.
Despite Canelo’s hesitations, Terence Crawford remains undeterred in his ambition to challenge the unified super-middleweight champion. The Omaha native has made it clear that he is willing to move up two weight classes from his last fight to face Canelo for the coveted super-middleweight titles. Crawford’s determination comes in the wake of Canelo’s successful title defense earlier this month against undefeated contender Edgar Berlanga, where Canelo won by unanimous decision, dropping Berlanga in the process.
In light of the potential matchup, Edgar Berlanga shared his thoughts during a recent interview. While he believes Canelo has the advantage in terms of size and weight, he emphasized that Crawford should never be underestimated. “I truly believe that anything can happen in boxing, and Terence Crawford is great. The only thing I see that I favour Canelo is his weight; he’s bigger. As far as skill set and IQ, I feel like Crawford can match anybody and probably do way better. Crawford is a legend, and you can’t count him out,” Berlanga stated.
Crawford has articulated that only high-stakes bouts that contribute to his already storied legacy appeal to him. Some insiders speculate that Crawford may consider retirement if Canelo opts for another fight instead of accepting a challenge.
Canelo’s options extend beyond a potential fight with Crawford. He could pursue a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, who handed him a loss in 2022 at light-heavyweight. Bivol is set to face Artur Beterbiev next month for the undisputed title, making this matchup one to watch closely. Additionally, David Benavidez has been vocal about his desire to face Canelo, which has been a long-standing narrative in the super-middleweight division.
For Benavidez, the key factor in securing a fight against Canelo seems to hinge on the financial terms presented.
As discussions about Canelo Alvarez’s next fight swirl, the prospect of a showdown with Terence Crawford continues to intrigue fans and analysts alike. While Canelo has expressed conditions for entertaining the matchup, Crawford’s tenacity and skill make the possibility compelling. As both fighters navigate their respective paths, the boxing world eagerly awaits clarity on their future bouts. Will Canelo take the leap to face Crawford, or will he explore other lucrative opportunities? Only time will tell.
