Terence Crawford wants to face his fellow four-weight world champion Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez despite currently fighting two divisions below.
After becoming undisputed at welterweight in 2023, Crawford moved up to 154 pounds this year and won the WBA World Title at the first point of asking against previously undefeated Israil Madrimov.
Despite some good options being on the table in the form of super-welterweight defences and unifications, the 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska has his sights firmly set on Alvarez.
Canelo is currently unified at 168 having been stripped of one belt due to failure to face a mandatory challenge. Although he has two losses on his 66 fight resume, he is yet to be defeated in this division.
Having fought even higher at light-heavyweight on two occasions, there is no question that the Mexican would have an extreme weight advantage in the match-up. Crawford is undeterred, certain his elite skillset can overcome that.
Whilst some in the sport back him to continue to make history, others see the extra 14 pounds as a step too far. That includes Mexican fighting legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
The three weight world champion knows moving through divisions well having conquered super-bantamweight, featherweight and super-featherweight. When asked by ES News how he would see the fight playing out, he said simply that it was too much for Crawford
“Crawford? No. He’s small. Three divisions down.”
Although initially dismissive of the fight, Canelo has said he will look at any offer presented to him. With the backing of Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh, Crawford’s side are in a position to make a healthy one.
