Since his dominant knockout victory over Errol Spence Jr., Terence Crawford has set his sights on making history by moving up in weight to challenge Canelo Álvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion. However, what once seemed like an inevitable mega-fight now hangs in the balance, with growing speculation that the bout may not happen after all.
Despite mounting uncertainty, Crawford remains determined to face Canelo. His unwavering confidence was evident when he directly responded to Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Riyadh Season, who has been instrumental in organizing high-profile fights in Saudi Arabia.
«I’m waiting for Canelo in September, and I’m going to shock the world in the Riyadh Season,» Crawford declared.
This statement came after Alalshikh posted a cryptic message about true champions never backing down, a message seemingly aimed at both Canelo and Crawford amid the fight’s uncertain status.
Why Is the Canelo vs. Crawford Fight in Doubt?
Multiple reports indicate that Canelo Álvarez may be considering a different opponent for September, possibly sidestepping Crawford for a more commercially appealing matchup.
Rumors of a Jake Paul Super Fight
Recent speculation suggests that Canelo was close to securing a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, the negotiations were nearly finalized, describing the deal as being «on the one-yard line.»
The fight was rumored to be at cruiserweight and backed by Netflix, potentially drawing huge financial gains but offering little in terms of legacy for Canelo.
While fans and boxing purists criticized the possibility of such a fight, it appeared to be a real option before a major development shifted the landscape.
Canelo’s Multi-Fight Deal with Turki Alalshikh
At the last moment, Canelo signed a multi-fight agreement with Turki Alalshikh, securing his next bouts under the Saudi-backed promotion. This deal ensures that Canelo will return to the ring on May 5, with a second major fight expected in September—a potential showdown against Crawford in Las Vegas.
With this contract in place, the Jake Paul fight is now off the table, reigniting hopes that Canelo vs. Crawford can still happen.
Will Crawford Finally Get His Shot at Canelo?
Despite the back-and-forth surrounding this matchup, Crawford remains adamant that he will get his shot at boxing greatness. Moving up multiple weight classes to challenge a pound-for-pound great like Canelo would be a historic moment in boxing, putting Crawford in a league of his own if he were to emerge victorious.
But as of now, nothing is official. With Canelo’s next fight set for May and an opponent yet to be announced, boxing fans will have to wait and see if Bud gets his chance or if another twist changes the course of this long-awaited showdown.
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