Terence Crawford is now a four-weight world champion after defeating Israil Madrimov for the WBA super-welterweight title.
Crawford was making his debut at 154lbs and took a unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Madrimov, who was in the fight until the last bell and landing some powerful shots on the American.
Ever since his career defining victory over Errol Spence Jr last year, where he dominated and stopped his welterweight rival in the ninth round, ‘Bud’ has set his sights on 168lb ruler Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
A move to super-middleweight would require another two-weight class jump for the man who started his professional career as a 135lb lightweight fighter.
Canelo was originally dismissive of the clash, claiming he would get no credit in beating the naturally smaller man. However, more recently he has shown more willingness to make the fight ‘if the money is right’. With the man behind big time boxing in Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, making it clear the fight is top of his wish list, the Mexican might just get his demands met.
When asked by Fight Hub TV before the Madrimov fight about Crawford moving up 21lbs to face Canelo, ‘The Real Deal’ was visibly shocked by the prospect and predicted the bigger man to come out the victor.
“It’s going to be hard [for him] to beat Canelo, he’s real basic but he’s a good fighter.”
There will be many fans who agree after seeing a good yet competitive performance at super-welterweight tonight.
Post-fight, ‘Bud’ was asked how important the fight with the Mexican was to him.
“You know what I say, if the money’s right we got a fight. At the same time, he got a fight that he’s focused on. I’m gonna go back to my family and enjoy this win. Enjoy all the accomplishments that I’ve made in the sport of boxing.
Not at all. I’m pretty sure he could fight at 168. This guy is big. In the amateurs he fought at a higher weight than he is now and he was very competitive … [The Canelo] fight is not so important to me. It’s just another milestone to greatness, I suppose… And financially.”
Canelo is next in the ring against unbeaten Puerto Rican fighter Edgar Berlanga on September 14. If he successfully defends his WBC, WBA and WBO super-middleweight titles then fans may just see a Crawford-Canelo clash early next year.
