Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford are just months away from facing each other in a ‘mega-fight’.
Canelo, who currently holds the unified WBC, WBA and WBO super-middleweight titles, is set to face IBF champion William Scull in Riyadh on May 3, as he bids to become a two-time undisputed champion at 168lbs.
‘Bud’ Crawford is tasked with making the considerable jump in weight to face the Mexican superstar. The 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska dethroned WBA light-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov in his last outing, but must move up a further two weight classes ahead of his showdown with Canelo.
One man who has weighed in on the highly anticipated clash between the pound-for-pound stars is retired six-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya, who actually promoted Canelo for 10-years.
Speaking to Brian Mazique, De La Hoya claimed that although a Crawford victory could earn him ‘greatest of all time’ status, he finds it hard to look past a routine victory for Canelo.
“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 the 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 an official announcement can be made, Canelo must focus on facing IBF champion Scull before he can turn his attention to Crawford.
