Canelo Alvarez says he is ready to fight Terence Crawford following the latter’s last performance.
Canelo has been linked with a fight against Crawford at 168 pounds, which would require Bud to jump up two weight classes from 154. Alvarez initially dismissed the fight by saying he would get no credit for defeating Crawford, who would be coming up from a much smaller weight class. Canelo recently defeated Jermell Charlo, who moved up two weight classes from 154 pounds in a one-sided unanimous decision. There is a perception that the same thing could happen again if a Crawford-Canelo fight was made. But Alvarez has now changed his view by saying that if the numbers are right, he is willing to take that fight.
“I’m in. Why not? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great fighter but for me, in my weight class, it’s an easy fight. Easy money. If the money is right, I’m in, because I don’t like to fight guys like Crawford because he moves a lot and the fight is not that great, I saw in his last fight and he don’t move that much now. So if the money is right I’m in right now … there are weight classes for a reason,” Canelo stated
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The bout is seen as an alternative to David Benavidez, someone Canelo has been accused of ducking. Benavidez was the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion for over two years. But the fight never happened, as Canelo demanded $150-200 million to make that fight. Benavidez ultimately moved up to 175 pounds, where he is scheduled to fight David Morrell Jr. on February 1. That has reduced any chances of Canelo facing off against Benavidez, even if the latter could come back down. That has paved the way for a Crawford fight. Crawford is coming off a victory against Israil Madrimov, which earned him the WBA Junior Middleweight Title.
It was his first fight at 154 pounds. Crawford was hit more than usual and appeared slower. But that was also due to Madrimov’s skills. But Crawford has expressed confidence about beating Canelo. He managed to dismantle Errol Spence Jr. with ease when the boxing community had Spence as the favorite. Floyd Mayweather and Bivol have shown the blueprint for beating Canelo. While Crawford is a switch hitter, capable of moving, can he handle the power? Bud did look uncomfortable when Madrimov hit him, and Canelo’s punches will have more of an impact. Crawford made it clear he was ready.
“I feel as if that’s a legacy fight. I feel as if this is the biggest fight in boxing today. I’ve been fighting bigger guys my whole life. Of course I’ll beat him. It ain’t no doubt in my mind that I won’t beat anybody that I step in the ring with,” Crawford said
But at 37 years of age, Crawford does not have too long left to secure that fight. 2025 is the right time to make this legacy-defining fight for his boxing career.
