Weight classes exist for a reason, but when it comes to a dream matchup between Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford, the boxing world throws caution to the wind. Since last year, fans have been buzzing about when these two titans will face off and who will come out on top
With September marked on the calendars, fans were eagerly awaiting the showdown. However, with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh entering the scene, plans took an unexpected turn. Yes, Canelo Alvarez will fight, but not against Terence Crawford for now.
Crawford will not face Canelo immediately
Last month, it was revealed that Canelo Alvarez had signed a lucrative four-fight deal under the Riyadh Season banner. Rather than jumping straight into a fight with Crawford, the Mexican superstar will first take on William Scull, with both fighters putting their belts on the line on May 3
The stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner will be crowned undisputed super middleweight champion. This is a high-stakes battle!
Only after this will the 34-year-old finally step into the ring with Terence Crawford, leaving two more fights scheduled for 2026. But here’s the real question: why did a four-division champion take this fight in the first place? Let’s find out.
Canelo Alvarez takes things one fight at a time
Just two months away from fight night, Canelo Alvarez recently sat down with Ring Magazine to talk about his upcoming fights. During the conversation, the reporter mentioned the much-discussed matchup against Terence Crawford, reminding Alvarez of the “lose-lose situation” he initially described
If he wins, critics will say the 37-year-old boxer was too small. If he loses, they will claim that Canelo lacked the power and skill to handle a smaller opponent. So what made him change his mind?
The response was simple. “You know, I can see that people also want to see that fight. So I think it’s starting to make sense,” Canelo explained. While he acknowledged the demand from fans, he made it clear that his focus remains on his May fight against William Scull. He stressed that he is giving his all for this fight and will consider Crawford only after getting the job done in the ring. “So we’ll see after May,” he said.
Canelo relies on experience
Canelo’s approach reflects the wisdom of experience: he is not making the mistake of looking too far ahead. History has shown that fighters who plan their next moves before securing victory often pay the price
Deontay Wilder saw Joseph Parker as a stepping stone to a showdown with Anthony Joshua, only to suffer a crushing defeat on December 23, 2023. Joshua, in turn, was considering a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk or a super fight with Tyson Fury, but his shocking fifth-round KO loss to The Dynamite on September 21, 2024, put those plans on hold. Even Gervonta Davis underestimated Lamont Roach Jr., and their March 1, 2024 fight ended in an unexpected draw.
That’s why Canelo Alvarez remained focused on William Scull, despite the fact that he only has a few fights under his belt, with a record of 23-0, 9 KOs. However, he may not have much to worry about, as Oscar De La Hoya does not see Scull as a real threat.
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