Bernard Hopkins has not held back on a potential match-up between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
Crawford is coming off the best win of his career, dominating Errol Spence Jr in their welterweight undisputed clash back in July last year. Since then ‘Bud’ has made it clear he wants legacy defining fights only and is targeting a move up three-weight classes from 147 to face undisputed super-middleweight champion, Canelo.
The Mexican has been dismissive of the clash, claiming he would get no credit for beating the naturally smaller man. However, in boxing money talks and the man behind the biggest fights in Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, has announced he plans to make it happen in the next twelve months.
Hopkins, who is part of Canelo’s old promotional outfit Golden Boy, told Fight Hype that he believes the American would be ‘risking his life’ stepping up to face the 168lb champion.
“How are we talking about Crawford-Canelo. Crawford cares about his life right? What does that fight do for Canelo if Crawford beats him? What does that do for him? I just think there are so many other fights to make that are realistic and make sense and are less life risking on top of the risk when we step in the ring with guys our weight. Canelo isn’t coming down to 160lbs.
Canelo can fight a cruiserweight and give them all the hell they can handle. If you can’t hurt a guy like Canelo and you don’t have height and depth or something to work with. Then we’re going to see another boring fight. I understand the money grab, Crawford isn’t 26, we’re going to see a lot of desperate moves. It’s gossip, it’s not going to happen. I guarantee you it’s not going to happen.”
Crawford returns to the ring on August 3 when he makes his 154lb debut against WBA champion Israil Madrimov.
Canelo is coming off a dominant victory against Jaime Munguía and is expected to fight once more this year in September with an opponent yet to be announced.
