Terence Crawford has reportedly landed the opponent he has been chasing for some time: Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez.
The switch-hitter from Omaha, Nebraska first expressed interest in the match-up after beating Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed welterweight champion. Since then, he has made a successful debut at super-welterweight, defeating Israil Madrimov to become WBA Champion and closing the weight gap to Canelo ever so slightly.
The Madrimov win ended a ten-bout stoppage streak for Crawford, but post-fight he said it wasn’t his toughest night at the office.
“I wouldn’t say it was my toughest fight. I think ‘Mean Machine’ was a tougher fight than that. I think Gamboa was a tougher fight than that. I think Benavidez was a tougher fight than that.”
Many felt that ‘Bud’ not making a dent in the admittedly tough Madrimov spells trouble for his power carrying up a further two classes to challenge Canelo.
‘Mean Machine’ – or Egidijus Kavaliauskas – agrees. The Lithuanian was stopped inside nine rounds by Crawford having touched the canvas three times. Despite witnessing the talent up close, he said when asked that Canelo is ‘too big, too good’ for his former foe.
“I hope they don’t make that fight. I don’t think it’s a good idea for Crawford to move up in weight and fight Canelo. Canelo is just too big, too good.”
Crawford and Canelo will reportedly face off on September 13 this year, meaning both men could take an interim fight beforehand. Whether or not the American will make a debut at super-middle to test the waters remains to be seen.
