Terence Crawford is set to move up two divisions from his last outing to face unified super middleweight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Crawford has been calling the Mexican’s name since his undisputed welterweight win over Errol Spence Jr in 2023, and ramped up his pursuit after making a successful debut at super-welterweight.
He still must bridge a gap of 14 pounds to face Canelo, who has never been put down or stopped in 66 fights and is undefeated at super-middleweight.
Many in boxing think that it is a step too far even for a man of Crawford’s talent, and that includes Hall of Fame fighter turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
Speaking to Brian Mazique, ‘The Golden Boy’ backed Canelo to win even despite a bitter business split years ago, saying, “I just don’t see it” for Crawford when making his latest prediction.
“If Crawford can do it, Jesus Lord, I mean give this man the title of being the greatest ever … but I just don’t see it. Canelo is a big puncher. Yeah, he walks on quicksand and that’s one thing that Crawford can use against him, but the pressure of the heavier guy…
“Canelo will be 200 pounds in that ring. It’s a tough fight but, look, I give all the credit to Crawford. If he pulls it off he’ll be the messiah of fighters.”
Before the fight is made official Canelo is first set to face William Scull on May 3. The Cuban fighting out of Germany picked up the IBF Super Middleweight World Title last year after Canelo was stripped for refusing to face him in a mandatory fight.
Now that Scull has the belt, he has landed the fight on the basis that it gives Canelo the chance to become two-time undisputed in the division. Crawford, meanwhile, will sit on the sidelines until he gets his own shot at the elite Mexican in Las Vegas this September.
