Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has long been the biggest name in boxing since Floyd Mayweather’s retirement, and he continues to cement his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. With a professional record of 62 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws, Alvarez most recently defended his undisputed super middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga, handing the Puerto Rican his first career loss after 22 fights and 17 knockouts. Now, Canelo is preparing for his next challenge – a showdown with IBF champion William Scull on May 3rd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will be part of the first of four fights scheduled in the contract that links Canelo with the Riyadh Season promoter, headed by Turki Alalshikh. While the Cuban fighter is a respected opponent, all eyes are on the bigger fight waiting in the wings: a long-awaited clash with Terence “Bud” Crawford in September.
Amir Khan’s Bold Prediction for Canelo vs. Crawford
Few fighters know Canelo and Crawford better than Amir Khan, who has shared the ring with both of them. When asked about the potential outcome of their upcoming fight, Khan gave a measured but insightful answer. “If the fight goes to 12 rounds, I think Crawford wins. But if there’s a knockout, it’s Canelo.” That sentiment is echoed by Israil Madrimov, who also noted the size difference between the two fighters. The fight will take place at 168 pounds, a division that Canelo has dominated for years, while Crawford has never fought at that weight. Despite this, the American is known for his speed, power and ability to adapt in the ring, making this a true 50/50 matchup in the eyes of many but not mines.
For Crawford, this fight isn’t about money-it’s about legacy. After initially dismissing the idea of facing Canelo, the former undisputed welterweight champion had a change of heart, explaining:
I want to challenge myself. Canelo’s a great fighter. He’s an all-time great, one of the best that came out of Mexico. I’m one of the all-time greats, I feel. Why not? Why not put it to the test? History. What do they say? Big chances, big rewards. I’m looking for that big reward.
While many believe Canelo’s power and experience at super middleweight will be too much for Crawford, the Nebraska native has never shied away from a challenge. If he can pull off the upset, it would go down as one of the greatest victories in boxing history.
William Scull’s dream to face Canelo
Before Canelo can focus on Crawford, he must first get past William Scull, a fighter who has made it clear that his motivation goes beyond a lucrative payday. The Cuban, who was born in Matanzas, raised in Argentina and now fights out of Germany, enters the ring with one goal in mind: to take Canelo’s belts. “I’m here for the championships,” Scull declared, distancing himself from the modern trend of fighters chasing big paydays rather than titles. However, some critics argue that Scull is just another name on a carefully selected list of opponents that will allow Canelo to maintain his dominance. With the fight now set for May 3 in Saudi Arabia, the world will soon see if Scull is truly a threat or just another challenger added to Alvarez’s growing legacy.
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