Boxing Bets: Sad, But True: Canelo vs. Crawford Will Never Happen
- Terence Crawford recently went the distance with Israil Madrimov in a closely fought win for ‘Bud.’
- ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is set to face Edgar Berlanga on Mexico’s Independence Weekend next month.
- We’re still waiting for Canelo vs. Crawford boxing betting lines to appear on the BetUS sportsbook.
As far as boxing news goes, the names of Terence Crawford and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will never escape headlines. But since the former recently made his 154lb debut and became a four-division champion, this dream super fight has been the talk of the town more than ever. However, pugilist enthusiasts should brace themselves for disappointment.
Will Canelo vs Crawford Ever Happen?
Chasing Canelo
A four-division champion with undisputed status at 140 and 147lbs, and the man who transformed the opinion that Errol Spence Jr. is one boxing great to be just another victim of ‘Bud.’ Terence Crawford has battered everyone; he’s flatlined every opponent for the last eight years, and rightfully, he’s debated as one of the greatest ever to do it. Thirty-one of the heads collected on his unblemished 41-0-0 record were knocked out, and it’s challenging to argue against him holding the highest fight IQ in boxing today. Even more impressively, he fought up from beginnings in Nebraska to become a four-division champ, undisputed in two weight classes, all from an area that isn’t known for its fighting prowess, as he did so without the backing of a top-tier agent or promoter.
Despite owning a G.O.A.T. legacy behind a catalog of history-defining success, one opponent’s name has been on his hitlist for some time, and that’s the undisputed super middleweight king, Canelo Alvarez.
I want it, you want it, promoters wish for it, but Canelo, not so much…
As Crawford chases the Canelo bout, he isn’t taking shortcuts, and fighting the best of the best is seemingly all that interests him. Unfortunately, this could also be to his detriment, and although his 154lb debut versus Madrimov was a successful outing, he was humanized in this higher-weight class.
Crawford’s 154lb Reality
We’re looking at Canelo and Crawford, both of whom are reaching the end of their elite careers. The latter took a significant risk last week by moving up to 154 pounds and challenging Madrimov earlier this month, a dangerous foe but one that’s unestablished in the sport. Sure, such decisions are made simpler when the checkbook of Turki Alalshikh is involved, but either way, it was the creme de le crème going against one another, something that’s become a rarity in the sport.
Contrastingly, Canelo is fighting Berlanga in September, an opponent that’s lightyears behind such a fight and, without question, undeserving of such a challenge. No disrespect to Berlanga, but Canelo’s intentions were revealed when his name was announced over David Benavidez.
Regarding Canelo, is it time to accept he isn’t here to fight the best of the best anymore? He’s ducked Benavidez for years, and now, it feels like he’s also ducking Crawford, a fighter that would technically give him a two-weight advantage.
Alalshikh wanted Crawford versus Canelo, but lately, he’s been going back and forth with Canelo via media comments, and nothing positive has arisen. If Your Excellency cannot make it happen, it’s difficult to envision that any other promoter can.
What’s more concerning is that Madrimov gave Crawford the toughest fight of his career. Some argue the bout was a draw; others state ‘Bud’ should’ve lost on the scorecards. No matter how you paint it, it’s removed some of the hype from Canelo-Crawford, and this comes after the Mexican legend out-priced himself from the potential mega fight.
Canelo’s Disinterest
Canelo has stated that it would take him $150 million to fight Crawford. We know Alalshikh has deep pockets, but such a number feels like a duck, and the Saudi Arabian promoter agrees, as he stated that Alvarez was “afraid” of Crawford.
If you ask Canelo, however, a power struggle is in play between the Mexican and the newest face of boxing promotion.
“I respect everybody, but I don’t like how [Turki] talks,” Alvarez said. “It’s his problem, not my problem. I didn’t ask for a fight. He needs to do it my way and not his way.”
As for Crawford, Canelo settled the boxing rumors of ducking by suggesting Crawford knows what would happen if they fought:
“Crawford knows. He experimented at 154 and knows [what I would do to him]. Maybe he does 168 for a big check. Everyone wants to fight me for a payday. I am the face of boxing.”
Canelo has a point, but his recent choice of opponents doesn’t support his case. The sad fact is that Turki Alalshikh was the best chance of a Crawford vs. Alvarez fight coming to fruition, but instead, the Saudi promoter is preparing to battle Canelo next month when he promotes UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere on the same night Berlanga and Alvarez do battle.
With an evidently rocky relationship and Canelo refusing to show interest in Crawford or even Benavidez, maybe it’s time to accept that we can’t always get what we want, and such superfights will never happen.
I hope my skepticism is disproved one day, but right now, all signs point to Canelo and Crawford as being the fight that will get away.
Don’t fret, you can still bet on boxing at BetUS!
Questions Of The Day
Who is Crawford fighting next?
With Canelo showing no interest, Turki Alalshikh has stated that Terence Crawford will face Vergil Ortiz Jr. next.
Who is Canelo fighting next?
Canelo Alvarez is scheduled to fight Edgar Berlanga on September 14 for the undisputed super middleweight titles.
