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Terence Crawford will never fight again and Canelo Alvarez is the ‘only way’ he returns

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvare

Terence Crawford is only interested in fighting Canelo Alvarez, according to Eddie Hearn.

‘Bud’ could become the first three-weight undisputed champion of the four-belt era if he can unify all the major sanctioning body belts in his new division of super-welterweight, but seems more interested in other goals.

Crawford previously reigned supreme over the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions and opened his account at super-welterweight last month by snatching the WBA belt from Israil Madrimov.

He's trying to stay friends with him," Terence Crawford calls out Eddie Hearn for saying Canelo Alvarez helped promote his fight

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He has now been handed the opportunity to take two steps closer to making boxing history after the WBO ordered their champion Sebastian Fundora – who is also in possession of the WBC title – to make a mandatory defence against Crawford.

However, Hearn doesn’t believe legacy motivates the Baltimore banger anymore.

The Matchroom boxing chief insists money is his main driving force now and anticipates Crawford will hang up his gloves unless he can land a lucrative showdown with Canelo next.

“I don’t think Terence Crawford will fight again,” Hearn told talkSPORT.com.

“Because I think he’s made really solid money in the last couple of fights.

“And I don’t think he wants to fight Vergil Ortiz, I don’t think he wants to fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

“I think the only way Crawford will fight again is against Canelo Alvarez.

“Because he’s got used to that pay bracket and I don’t think that pay bracket exists anymore outside of Canelo Alvarez.”

Canelo vs Crawford was at the top of HE Turki Alalshikh’s boxing wishlist at the start of the year.

However, a breakdown in communication prompted the Saudi boxing chief to retract his approach and release a lengthy statement, during which he accused Canelo of being afraid of fighting David Benavidez and Crawford.

Bridges have been rebuilt between the pair since and the fight looks a lot more plausible than it once did, although Crawford will have to wait for Canelo’s clash with Edgar Berlanga on September 14 to play out.

Crawford could box Fundora in the meantime or even surging welterweight/super-welterweight contenders Vergil Ortiz or Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, although Hearn thinks this is highly unlikely.

“The problem is when you’ve made that kind of money, to drop down and fight a young contender [would earn less],” he added.

“I think he probably looks at the Israil Madrimov fight and goes, ‘Blimey.’ Not that he got away with it, but could he could’ve lost it all there.

“He probably thinks in his mind that he’ll fight again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t.

“They’re so inactive as well, really the plan for Crawford was to fight in February. And I don’t see that happening.

“He should be, really, if he wants to continue in the sport, but I think he’s happy to sit out until the end of next year.

“He’ll be just waiting and then if the Canelo fight comes up, great.

“In his mind, something will come up, but I don’t think he’s rushing to get back to training camp to fight Vergil Ortiz or Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.”

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GERVONTA DAVIS HITS HARDER THAN CRAWFORD

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Gervonta Davis Terence Crawford

Gervonta Davis has been credited as hitting harder than Terence Crawford. 

That is according to WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. Norman Jr. has had the chance to spar both men. Davis is currently 30-0 with 28 KOs as he stopped Frank Martin in his last fight to retain his WBA Lightweight Title. Meanwhile, Crawford stopped all of his opponents at 147 before moving up to 154. He boxed Israil Madrimovin his first junior middleweight fight, beating him via a unanimous decision to win the WBA belt.

That took his record to 41-0 with 31 KOs. Given their ability to stop opponents, they have become some of the best P4P fighters. However, Norman Jr. highlighted some differences in their punch power. Norman Jr. felt Crawford would systematically beat his opponents up before stopping them. Meanwhile, Davis had the one-punch knockout power to change a fight at any time.

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“When I sparred Terence Crawford I was 20 years old at the time, so it was like he was trying to man me like ‘I’m gonna show you you a little boy’ type stuff. But I’m mature for my age, so that’s why we evened out. Even when you see him fight for real, he don’t necessarily one-shot people, but what he do is he just beat you up and then he kill you. But as far as one shot, who got it? I got to give that to Tank,” Norman Jr. said

Davis and Crawford were linked with a fight following some verbals over social media. This began after Davis backed Errol Spence Jr. to beat Crawford. He referred to Bud as having a glass chin. Crawford stopped Spence and told Davis to move up to 147 if he wanted to test the chin. It never happened, as Davis’ biggest fight will likely be against Shakur Stevenson. Shakur holds the WBC belt, meaning a unification could happen next year.

It is a contrast of styles as Davis’ power would have to break down Shakur’s defensive skills. Davis could walk him down and get the stoppage if he does not respect Shakur’s punches. Stevenson showed in his fight against Edwin De Los Santosthat he fights on the back foot against power punchers.

He was booed for fighting off the jab, while De Los Santos could not cut the ring off, drawing criticism from fans. Stevenson fought on the inside against Artem Harutyunyan in his last bout. Despite winning a wide unanimous decision, he never looked like stopping Harutyunyan. Ex-world champion Andre Dirrell advised Shakur to work on his inside fighting style before facing Tank.

“Shakur needs to just fix a few things and learn how to fight in the pocket. He already showed that he can; he just wasn’t firing off that last fight [against Artem Harutyunyan]. If I were Shakur, I’d test the waters with a few opponents and then jump in there with Tank. He got time for that,” Dirrell stated

Shakur will box Joe Cordina next on October 12. Cordina will move up from super featherweight to lightweight, allowing Stevenson to potentially overpower his opponent. A stoppage win will do wonders for his confidence.

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[VIDEO] TERENCE CRAWFORD VACATES WBA WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

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Terence Crawford WBA

Terence Crawford has vacated the last of his welterweight titles, with Eimantas Stanionis elevated to full WBA champion, the sanctioning body has announced.

Crawford (41-0-0 31 KO) became the undisputed welterweight world champion last July when he defeated Errol Spence Jr, adding his rival’s IBF, WBC, and WBA titles to his WBO belt. The victory made ‘Bud’ the first male fighter of the four-belt era to become undisputed in two divisions.

Since then, though, Crawford has gradually lost grip on the four belts. The IBF stripped the Nebraskan of its title in November for failing to fight mandatory challenger Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who was subsequently promoted from interim to world champion.

Terence Crawford P4P king

READ: Terence Crawford initiates taking WBO title without a fight

The other three sanctioning bodies followed suit more recently in response to Crawford leaving 147lbs to compete at super-welterweight, where he defeated WBA title holder Israil Madrimov on August 3 to become a four-weight world champion.

The WBC acted first by awarding its world title to interim champion Mario Barrios before the WBO did the same with Brian Norman earlier this month.

Now the WBA has completed the same steps and announced the news in a short statement posted to its website.

“Terence Crawford decided to remain as champion in the super welterweight division of the World Boxing Association (WBA), and  vacate his welterweight belt, according to what he formally communicated to the pioneer organization,” the statement read.

“The American sent a letter in which he informed his decision to keep the 154-pound belt and vacate the 147-pound belt, which will leave Lithuanian Eimantas Stanionis as the only welterweight champion.

“Crawford won the title last August 3 with his victory over Israil Madrimov, in Los Angeles, and at that time he was champion in two different divisions. Now he has decided that he will stay in super welter and continue his career in that category.

“The pioneer body received the communication and responded to Crawford with a letter signed by the director of the championships committee, Carlos Chavez, in which he acknowledged receipt and sent a wave of thanks and recognition.”

With the belts now fragmented and evenly shared across the division, the hope is now for unification fights to eventually crown a new undisputed champion. However, those plans have already hit several obstacles, with Ennis and Norman at a stand-off over contract negotiations.

According to Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn, three separate offers have been sent to Norman – the last worth around $1.5 million – but have all been rejected. While Norman has claimed the offer was accepted, Hearn insists that’s not the case, accusing the WBO champion of “cloud chasing” and not having the belief he can beat Ennis.

Hearn also revealed that as talks with Norman stalled, a separate offer had gone out to Stanionis, who also turned down the terms.

There is another potential short-term obstacle for Ennis as the IBF has ordered him to fight mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian, despite Boots beating him in a shutout points win just last year. Hearn responded by accusing the IBF of “ruining boxing”.

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Terence Crawford initiates taking WBO title without a fight

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Terence Crawford Sebastian Fundora

Terence Crawford has set the wheels in motion to take the WBO super welterweight title from Sebastian Fundora without a fight.

World Boxing News understands Crawford triggered his option of facing the champion after claiming the interim version against Israil Madrimov earlier this month. Due to his standing with the WBO as a three-weight and ‘super’ champion, ‘Bud’ has sizable pulling power with the organization and was granted his request immediately. That’s despite Fundora having negotiated a deal with Errol Spence Jr. for months.

It’s not secret, and Crawford is well aware, that Fundora vs Spence is on the verge of being confirmed. However, that hasn’t stopped the Omaha man from asking the WBO to give Fundora 30 days to negotiate his challenge. Crawford will know full well that Fundora will not be able to follow through with this request due to his commitment to Spence and the PBC’s forthcoming schedule.

Fundora-Crawford ordenada bajo 'cachetada financiera' y actualización de división superligera

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This scenario means Crawford will get the title without facing Fundora in the ring.

In a letter sent to WBN, the WBO said, “Please be advised that the parties herein have thirty [30] days upon issuance of this notice to negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Jr. Middleweight [super-welterweight] Mandatory Championship Contest.

“If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000.00 [Two Hundred Thousand Dollars]. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.

“Furthermore, if a purse bid ceremony for the Crawford/Fundora bout is called, [the rule mentioned above] triggers and governs proceedings per Terrence Crawford’s “WBO Super Champion” status [Rights and Privileges, not a title], with the rights conferred by such provision. The aforementioned rule states as follows: Conversely, this Committee’s “Resolution” dated April 22, 2024, regarding Sebastian Fundora, which all terms and conditions are incorporated hereby and made part of this negotiation order.”

Unless both sides can agree, Crawford will be the full WBA and WBO champion by the end of next month. Fundora vs. Spence will then be for the WBC championship only, as Crawford aims to clean out another division.

Many would have preferred Crawford to take both titles from whoever wins the Fundora vs Spence, but that doesn’t seem like the plan.

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‘THAT ORDER DOESN’T MATTER’- WBO ORDERS FUNDORA VS. CRAWFORD, CANELO REACTS

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Sebastian Fundora Terence Crawford

The WBO has called for Sebastian Fundora to defend his junior middleweight belt against Terence Crawford next. 

The news means that both sides have 30 days to agree on a deal before purse bids are ordered. Fundora holds the WBO and WBC belts after having beaten Tim Tszyu. Fundora has been linked with the Errol Spence Jr. fight. However, there has been no confirmation from either side regarding the date. Meanwhile, Crawford became a four-weight world champion after beating Israil Madrimovto win the WBA belt in his first fight at 154.

While it was a unanimous decision, Eddie Hearn felt his fighter had been hard done by, suggesting it was a lot closer than the scorecards indicated. In his post-fight comments, Crawford called out Canelo Alvarez for a fight at 168.  Hearn clarified those comments, hinting that Crawford could retire if he does not secure the Canelo fight. But a bout with Tszyu takes Crawford a step closer to unifying, knowing a win only leaves him with the IBF belt to secure.

The WBO has given Crawford and Fundora a deadline of the end of April – RingSide24

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“[They have 30 days to] negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Jr. Middleweight Mandatory Championship Contest. If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

“The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process,” WBO

Crawford must now weigh up whether he wants a legacy or a big payday. A Fundora fight offers Crawford a chance to become a three-weight undisputed champion following his feats at 140 and 147. That would set him apart from the other fighters, such as Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue, the only two other fighters to have joined him as undisputed in two weight divisions.

However, a Fundora fight does not offer a massive purse that Crawford could get by fighting Canelo or Jaron Ennis. At 37, Crawford is at the latter end of his career. Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, felt Crawford would only box his man if he could not get the Canelo fight.

That has left the ball in Canelo’s camp and the Saudis if they were willing to make a big offer. Canelo requested $200 million to fight David Benavidez. While Canelo will likely get less than that figure for a Crawford fight, it will still be a high number.

“I’m waiting on an offer now, and I’m certain one will not come until after the 14th. I’d like to find out right now if [Crawford’s] going to fight for the money or the titles. I believe he wants the money. [Crawford] will do everything he can to fight Canelo, and [his team] will not call me until after the fight,”  Lewkowicz said

“I’m not saying that fight can’t happen. That order doesn’t matter,” Alvarez stated

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Andy Ruiz Jr vanishes with future in doubt after Jarrell Miller draw

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Andy Ruiz Jr  Jarrell Mille

Andy Ruiz Jr faces another career delay after sickening injury 

Andy Ruiz Jr. has stepped back from the limelight after suffering a hand injury during his controversial draw with Jarrell Miller.

Unlike his opponent, Ruiz hasn’t been seen on social media since the fight that was co-featured on the Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov card. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh put the event together to get the Riyadh Season name into the United States domain, with one eye on making another massive heavyweight fight for the winner.

Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller fight to 12-round majority draw - The Ring

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However, it wasn’t to be as Ruiz and Miller drew following a twelve-round battle. Two scores read 114-114, but Robert Hoyle’s 116-112 effort in favor of Miller was seen by many as closer to the truth.

As Miller takes the plaudits and declares himself a moral victor, Ruiz has gone off the radar amid attempts to fix his grotesque hand ailment. Ruiz has been fleeting in and out of the sport since losing his world heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, and the ex-unified champion’s future has again been questioned.

After his loss, Ruiz immediately referenced the hand but stated his desire to have a second fight with Miller to see a winner finally. Those intentions may not be able to be honored for months, if ever, due to the apparent severity of Ruiz’s hand, by his own judgment.

“I hurt my hand, and you can see the bone right here. It bothered me a lot from that fifth round where I kept hitting him in the head,” said Ruiz. “He’s a strong mother******. He keeps coming forward and forward. Let’s run it again. I think it was close. It was crazy, man. I haven’t fought in two years, but let’s do a rematch.”

He added, “It’s pretty exhausting when you’ve got a 300lb man coming towards me. Throwing and throwing. I think I did pretty good after not fighting in two years.”

Ruiz has given fans zero updates since then.

Given recuperation and Ruiz’s usual timeouts, that two-year absence could turn into one fight in three years [not for the first time]. By then, the Mexican-American will be pushing 36. ‘The Destroyer’ will have wasted his best years outside the ropes.

Another world title shot could prove impossible unless Ruiz can again get serious about boxing.

In contrast, Miller is willing to move to Saudi Arabia to persuade Turki Alalshikh to bankroll his retirement run. The ‘Big Baby’ has only a few years left at the top. The New Yorker wants Alalshikh to make him a permanent part of Riyadh Season.

“I’m definitely heartbroken with the result [of the Ruiz fight], but I know in my life I’ve never had anything easy. Warriors don’t quit. Everything will come to light. They can rob you, they can steal from you, they can lie to you, but Allah sees all,” said Miller.

He added, “Brother Turki said what needed to be said. He has seen it for himself who won that fight [with Ruiz]. I’m a free agent. Free at last. I have no dealings with Dimitry Salita or his promotional company whatsoever. I’m packing my bags. It’s time to move to Saudi,” he concluded.

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Canelo Alvarez: I’m not saying Terence Crawford fight can’t happen

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Canelo Alvarez Terence Crawford

The WBO’s order for its junior middleweight titleholder Sebastian Fundora to fight interim 154-pound and four-division champion Terence Crawford might appear to be a straightforward request, but it’s anything but.

In a conversation with BoxingScene minutes after the order came down, Fundora promoter Sampson Lewkowicz said he is convinced the 30-day deadline to strike a deal is actually less than a 15-day deadline because Lewkowicz is convinced Crawford still has thoughts of fighting Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Fellow four-division champion Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) has a Sept. 14 three-belt super-middleweight title defense against unbeaten Edgar Berlanga to get through, and Lewkowicz speculates Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) will only turn to Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) if he feels his chance to land that lucrative showdown is dead.

Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

READ: Terence Crawford’s Quest: Proving Greatness or Chasing Canelo?

“I’m waiting on an offer now, and I’m certain one will not come until after the 14th,” Lewkowicz said. “I’d like to find out right now if [Crawford’s] going to fight for the money or the titles. I believe he wants the money.

“[Crawford] will do everything he can to fight Canelo, and [his team] will not call me until after the fight.”

Asked Wednesday about the Crawford-Fundora fight being ordered, Alvarez told BoxingScene he has not participated in any conversations about a Crawford fight since expressing his disinterest in doing so at his Los Angeles news conference earlier this month.

He stopped short of saying the WBO order means an Alvarez-Crawford fight is dead.

“I don’t think so,” Alvarez said. “I’m not saying that fight can’t happen. That order doesn’t matter.”

Waiting for Alvarez-Berlanga to be complete would give the Crawford-Fundora sides less than two weeks to strike a deal before the purse-bid process is triggered. Or Crawford could just walk away from it all to either maintain his hope for Alvarez, to fight someone else or perhaps retire.

There is deep skepticism in the industry over whether the Fundora-Crawford ever happens.

Lewkowicz, however, warms the conversation by saying this following Crawford’s narrow Aug. 3 victory by unanimous decision over former World Boxing Association 154-pound titleholder Israil Madrimov. Winning the final two rounds on all three scorecards decided the outcome in Crawford’s favor after he failed to back or hurt the younger Uzbekistan fighter.

“[Crawford] is 37 years old, and Sebastian Fundora will kick his fucking ass,” Lewkowicz said. “If [Crawford] fights the way he fought [Aug. 3], he has no shot – he will get knocked out by Fundora.”

Lewkowicz said he retains hope the bout will happen, adding, “if the price is right … .”

While Crawford’s career path is now apparently being handled by his attorney, Harrison Whitman – at the same time he is being backed financially by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh – Fundora fights for Lewkowicz and under Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions banner.

Lewkowicz is fond of keeping the proposed fight in the U.S., and PBC offers dates throughout November and December – in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, respectively – while Alalshikh has a Dec. 21 card scheduled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, headlined by the unified heavyweight champion between champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

“Those are two different numbers,” Lewkowicz said of Fundora’s escalated price for venturing to the oil-rich nation. “We are willing to face him.”

Asked how Fundora responded to the WBO order, Lewkowicz said, “He doesn’t give a shit. He’ll fight anybody.”

Lewkowicz spent several minutes after the order talking to WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, first disputing that Crawford qualifies as a WBO “super champion” who is entitled to a far greater purse split as the WBO interim junior middleweight champion than Fundora deserves as a unified (WBO-WBC) full champion.

Valcarcel clarified that Crawford retains his “super” distinction because he carried it up to the 154-pound division after standing as an undisputed 140-pound and welterweight champion.

Lewkowicz said he proceeded to point out to Valcarcel that Fundora always pays sanctioning bodies the full 3 percent of his entire purse money, and not the shortened 3 percent of a smaller guaranteed (non-pay-per-view) purse that he suspects Crawford has paid.

“We always pay the full,” Lewkowicz said. “It’s honorable.”

That point is being raised as Lewkowicz seeks a greater percentage of the specified purse split the WBO can designate for the bout.

“It can’t be 80-20 [in Crawford’s favor],” Lewkowicz said. “How can [Crawford] ask for [purse split] favors when he’s [shorted] the sanctioning bodies?”

For now, Lewkowicz said he’s unclear whom he’ll negotiate with.

“[Whitman] called me once. Now, we’re ready to face [Crawford], so I hope he calls me again,” Lewkowicz said. “But I’m not expecting a call until after Sept. 14.

“I’m a nice guy, but I’m not naive. I have 30 years in this business. So we’ll see. … [Crawford] doesn’t care about the titles. He only wants the money.”

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Terence Crawford’s Quest: Proving Greatness or Chasing Canelo?

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford is an undefeated lightweight champion with a record of 41-0/31 KOs and has stated his desire to face another boxing star, Canelo Alvarez.

More to it, in the recent past, he went to social media where he said he wanted to teach the world that he is great by wanting to fight the Mexican. Nevertheless, boxing lovers and reviewers are irrelevant to doubt whether his determination is built to enhance his performance or whether he needs one more fight to get enough money to retire.

Some of Terence Crawford’s recent fights, such as his return to the ring in 154 pounds fight against Israil Madrimov on August 3 caused many fans to question the efficiency of the fighter at higher classes. Despite being declared the winner, he seems not to have fully imposed himself on the game. With only 11 fights in his professional boxing career, Madrimov tested Crawford to the extreme, and with harder right hands landed on him, the champion looked all beaten up.

Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

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After the fight Terence Crawford was given a ‘picture perfect’ look; his face was swollen, he had a black right eye and he seemed to be fatigued. It was not very impressive, and people began questioning if he was well-equipped to fight in the 168-pound division while competing against the top contenders in the following division.

Many view his decision to call out Canelo Alvarez more as a way to cut to the chase in the hope of making quick cash as a true champion. To get the opportunity to fight with Canelo, Terence Crawford might also face fighters like David Benavidez, David Morrell, Artur Beterbiev, or Dmitry Bivol. These fighters would surely challenge him push him to the limit and confirm him as a worthy opponent for Canelo.

Audience members have doubts as to the motivations of Terence Crawford, he has not expressed interest in any of this competitive fighter. However, in this one, he seems to have eyes directed only on the Canelo fight. This has led to criticism that he is more interested in securing a “golden parachute” for retirement than continuing to challenge himself in the ring.

More fuel to the fire that has Terence Crawford dodging younger fighters likeJaron Ennis or Vergil Ortiz Jr, based on his performance. If Terence wants to assert to the world that he is a great fighter and establish his claim as the welterweight champion, he must be willing to face these fighters. Winning fights against fighters like Benavidez or Morrell would serve the purpose not only of improving the fighter’s image but also a good reason to have a match with Canelo.

Should he asked to navigate through these opponents before he may make a match against Canelo? If he wants it badly enough then there should be no problem going through the ‘pillars of pain’ which shows he should be worthy to share the ring with the face of the sport. If not, he will be perceived in the same way as any ordinary fighter who has had enough of the sport and wants to fight to make as much money as possible.

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CRAWFORD MAY RETIRE WITHOUT CANELO FIGHT

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford could retire if he does not get the Canelo Alvarez fight.

That is according to Eddie Hearn. Crawford is a four-weight world champion, having beaten Israil Madrimov in his last fight to win the WBA belt at 154. He is a two-weight undisputed champion, achieving it at 140 and 147. He became the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era by beating Errol Spence Jr. last year.

Crawford called out Canelo after beating Madrimov. It would require him to move up two weight classes. A win makes him one of the best to do it, despite his current accomplishments. While it won’t be for undisputed after Canelo was stripped of his IBF belt, it is still a legacy-defining fight. Alvarez has only lost to Dmitry Bivol and Floyd Mayweather Jr., showing Crawford’s tough task.

Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

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“I don’t think Crawford wants a Boots fight.  I don’t think Crawford will fight again unless he fights Canelo Alvarez because he’s got money, he’s getting on [in age]. He escaped one in the [Israil] Madrimov fight, and I don’t think he wants to fight Vergil Ortiz. I don’t think he wants to fight Boots Ennis because he’s looking at these fights and saying, ‘They’re not really legacy mega-fights. I want mega-money, mega-fights, or I’m chilled,’ and good luck to him,” Hearn said

Canelo appears to have dismissed the fight again. He was vocal about Crawford’s last fight, as he questioned whether he was suited to 154. Madrimov landed more power punches than Crawford,

while Bud’s punches were not enough to keep his opponent at bay. Crawford’s reluctance to fight the other 154-pounders suggests he wants to cash out with the Canelo fight. Alvarez said he would get no credit for beating a smaller fighter.

Canelo has also expressed his desire to face other opponents. The David Benavidez fight could still happen if the Saudis put up a big number. Alvarez has said he wanted $200 million to take the fight. The Saudis paid Tyson Fury over $100 million for the two Oleksandr Usyk fights, meaning that a similar figure could tempt Canelo into taking it. Meanwhile, Alvarez stated that he would box Dmitry Bivolagain at 175.

Canelo lost a one-sided unanimous decision in 2022. However, he admitted he had a hand issue which plagued him during the fight. The rematch never happened due to differences over the weight class. Canelo wanted to run things back at 175 to rule out claims that Bivol would be drained at 168.

As for Bivol, the boxer chased a fight at 168 to secure Canelo undisputed title at the time. Alvarez is now not undisputed, meaning a fight at 175 is more likely. Bivol boxes Artur Beterbievon October 12 for the right to become undisputed at 175. Canelo wanted to box the winner.

“Yes it’s possible. It’s the only fight I’d make one more time at 175lbs – the rematch with Bivol,” Canelo said 

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[VIDEO] ‘I FEEL LIKE I’M THE BEST IN THIS DIVISION’: VERGIL ORTIZ READY FOR TERENCE CRAWFORD

By
Terence Crawford Vergil Ortiz Jr

Vergil Ortiz Jr says his victory over Serhii Bohachuk has given him the belief that he is the best fighter in the super-welterweight division and that he welcomes the opportunity to fight Terence Crawford.

Ortiz (22-0-0 21 KO) defeated Bohachuk (24-2-0 23 KO) earlier this month in Las Vegas via a contentious split decision following a thrilling Fight of the Year contender. The win, which Ortiz secured despite two knockdowns, saw the Texan claim the Ukrainian’s WBC interim belt to put him in contention for his first world title shot.

It was also the first time Ortiz had been taken the distance, and by winning the championship rounds that proved vital to the result, the 26-year-old said he gained a huge amount of experience about his skill and endurance.

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“It really boosts my confidence because I know I can be in that type of fight,” Ortiz said in an interview with BoxingScene. “I’m not always going to be in that kind of fight … but this shows I’m always going to have it the energy to do what I need to do, and it can be there in the 12th round.

“I already knew I could go 12 rounds. Everyone else had those doubts in their mind: ‘What happens when he goes 12 rounds? Is he going to look great?’ I saw people saying I’d get stopped, that he was going to be too much for me, that I was going to gas out. It was almost fun in there for me because I went those 12 rounds very easily and I still had a lot of energy. I could’ve gone 12 more.”

Ortiz could now be set for the biggest fight of his career against pound-for-pound star and recently-crowned WBA champion Crawford. Saudi Arabian boxing boss Turki Alalshikh agreed on the live broadcast ahead of Ortiz’s fight with Bohachuk that he would make the Crawford fight if he won. Earlier this week, Alalshikh revealed an offer has gone out to Crawford, but believes the Nebraskan “only wants Canelo” Alvarez.

“I’m more than confident I can beat everyone in the division. I feel like I’m the best in this division,” Ortiz said. “I just need the fights to show that. I’m willing to fight anyone.

“I’ve never turned a fight down. The WBO president said I did. I never turned any fight down. If they want to bring the fight with Crawford now, I would love that fight. He’s arguably the world’s (best) pound-for-pound (fighter). That’s a great fight to make.”

 

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of the bout appears to be Crawford’s apparent interest in only fighting Canelo next. The wider fascination in the mega-fight has cooled since Crawford’s victory over Israil Madrimov on August 3, which might have made him a four-weight world champion but also demonstrated that his power has not fully carried to the 154lbs division.

Climbing higher to super-middleweight to challenge unified champion Canelo – known for his power and granite chin – therefore seems a step too far in the eyes of most observers.

“(Crawford) genuinely has that big super-fight in mind and I can’t say I’m bigger than Canelo Alvarez with a straight face, for sure,” Ortiz said. “I see why Crawford wants that fight. But a fight with me is more realistic.

“I really don’t know what to think. It’s a massive jump. He wants to test himself just like I do, but … Crawford just moved up from 147. And he wants to fight Canelo at 168 … I’m not saying Crawford doesn’t have the skills to do it, but as far as me wanting to challenge Crawford, (him) wanting to challenge Canelo is a bit more unrealistic.”

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