Terence Crawford wants a shot at Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez, despite the Mexican’s disinterest and the mega weight jump required.
After becoming undisputed at welterweight, the 36-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska had legacy on his mind and did the media rounds calling for the Canelo fight three divisions up.
Canelo, who still holds all four belts at super-middleweight, has said he would get no credit for beating a much smaller man, but Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh has shown interest in the match-up and that may be the first step to it happening.
One man who isn’t advocating for the fight is former heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. He considers the two his favourite active boxers, but doesn’t want to see them face off.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Ruiz advised Crawford to stay away from Canelo, avoiding the weight jump and continuing to be ‘the best’ in his own division.
“I think Crawford could be the best in the world at those divisions but I think he should stay away from Canelo right now. Let Canelo do his thing. For sure I know that Crawford’s gonna be the face of boxing after Canelo does his thing.”
‘Bud’ will make the first tentative steps towards Canelo with a move up to super-welterweight on August 3 against champion Israil Madrimov. The 154 fight will mark his entrance into a fourth division after already conquering 135, 140 and 147.
If Canelo follows the pattern he’s set, he will return in September of this year, although an opponent is no closer to being confirmed. An IBF purse bid for mandatory challenger William Scull has been pushed back twice now.
