THIS year boxing fans are bracing themselves for a multitude of big fights with Turki Alalshikh vowing to ‘Make Boxing Great Again’. And there may be none bigger than Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford.
Over the past week a host of potential matchups have been rumoured from Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder to Teofimo Lopez vs Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
However, a clash between the two former undisputed world champions – Canelo and Crawford – is one that appears to be nearing completion according to ESPN boxing reporter Mike Coppinger.
The two fighters met separately with Alalshikh in London last week indicating some sort of deal was being discussed. And later this year a showdown between two of the top pound-for-pound talents looks set to take place.
“From what I’m told they’re in the process of finalising a deal for a fight in September on Mexican Day Independence Weekend. And it’ll be in Las Vegas at the 168lb weight limit, no rehydration clause,” Coppinger said during an appearance on ESPN’s State of Boxing show.
Crawford, 41-0 (31 KOs), began his career at lightweight (135lbs) winning the WBO world title before moving on to become undisputed at super-lightweight (140lbs) and welterweight (147lbs). A hard-fought win against Israil Madrimov last August earned him a world title in a fourth weight class at super-welterweight (154lbs). Facing Canelo would require a further 14lb weight jump for the 37-year-old Nebraskan.
Canelo, 62-2-2 (39 KOs), similarly has climbed through the weight classes having begun at super-welter where he picked up the WBC world title. The Mexican would then become unified champion at middleweight (160lbs), stop-off at light-heavyweight (175lbs) and defeat Sergey Kovalev to win the IBF strap before dropping down to super-middle where he would become the first four-belt undisputed champion.
Last year Canelo, who currently holds three of the four belts at 168lbs, appeared to distance himself from a Crawford fight disputing what a win against the smaller man would do for his career and legacy. But the American has continually called for the bout and looks closer than ever to getting what he wants.
