CRAWFORD SAYS CANELO IS DUCKING; ALVAREZ RESPONDS – ‘I’M THE FACE OF BOXING’

Terence Crawford has hit back at Canelo Alvarez for not wanting to fight him. 

Crawford has been chasing Canelo since becoming the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. Crawford moved to 154 and beat Israil Madrimov to become the WBA champion. The fight was seen as a step towards fighting Alvarez at 168. Crawford took the shots well, but the fight appeared closer than the unanimous scorecards suggested.

The Saudis contacted Canelo about making the fight. The Mexican dismissed those channels, saying he was not interested in making a fight. Crawford has now reacted by calling out what he perceived as double standards.

READ: “I’m a threat to his legacy”: Terence Crawford blasts Canelo Alvarez over ‘antics’ and ‘excuses’

He highlighted how Canelo had been fighting smaller guys in the past. Amir Khan and Floyd Mayweather, to name a few. Crawford even highlighted how Canelo made his weight class by fighting guys at 155 pounds when he fought Khan.

“I think Canelo is more so nervous of losing to a smaller guy like myself than being scared of me. I just think he knows that I have the tools and ability to disrupt anything that he brings to the table. Canelo is very strong and punches very hard but you’re going to need more than just power and strength to beat Terence Crawford. And I think for a little small guy from 135 to go to 168 and defeat Canelo Alvarez would be a big tarnish on his legacy as well,” Crawford said

Canelo’s focus is boxing Edgar Berlanga on September 14. Alvarez defends his WBO, WBC and WBA belts after the IBF stripped him for not facing his mandatory William Scull. Despite not being undisputed, Canelo managed to secure himself a fight on Mexican Independence Weekend on September 14. It will clash with UFC 306, which holds the first combat event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Canelo has shown he can sell consistently regardless of whom he fights. While he may not hit the numbers Floyd Mayweathergenerated, Canelo can make big paydays without the need to risk facing the big names. After Berlanga, there will be serious question marks over his next opponent. Eddie Reynoso has hinted that Canelo could take up a fight in Japan.

That would likely be an exhibition bout or a fight against a lesser-known name. Alvarez can sell worldwide, which is why a Chris Eubank Jr. fight could materialize in the UK. Eubank Jr. was in contention for the Canelo fight before Berlanga got the nod. Canelo has clarified that he is the ‘face of boxing.’

“I respect everybody but I don’t like the way [Alalshikh] talks. It’s his problem, not my problem. I didn’t ask for a fight. If he wants a fight, he needs to do it my way, and not his way.Crawford knows now. He experimented 154 and he knows [what I would do to him]. Maybe he does 168 for a big check. Everyone wants to fight me for a payday. I am the face of boxing,” Alvarez stated

Terence Crawford has fired back at Canelo Alvarez: “It makes me laugh all Canelo is saying about size and how he won't get no credit. But Canelo's been fighting smaller guys his whole career. Canelo made his own catchweight for years. Canelo fought a smaller Floyd Mayweather,…

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 8, 2024