Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez returned to his brilliant best with a totally one-sided win over Jermell Charlo in the third defence of his undisputed status at super-middleweight.
Charlo – who was jumping up two divisions for the challenge – looked more content to see the final bell than to attempt to make a dent in the heavy-handed Mexican, but was still knocked down in the seventh round.
The performance was vindication in the four-belt champion’s mind after setting out to prove that he was still in the conversation of the best in the world having recently been replaced by the likes of Terence Crawford – a man who fancies his chances against the Mexican despite a three division gulf in between them.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Top Rank’s Bob Arum – who promoted Crawford until a bitter split – said Canelo ‘wipes the floor’ with the smaller man.
“I think Canelo wipes the floor with him. I love Crawford, I told you with Crawford and Spence that Crawford would beat the hell out of him, but Canelo is a different proposition. It’s an interesting fight, but I think there’s only one winner.”
The boxing veteran, now 91-years-old, believes that the power differential in the bout is too great to overcome for ‘Bud’ Crawford.
“Canelo is used to fighting at a particular level, and I don’t think that Terence can hurt can Canelo, but Canelo can hurt Terence.”
Regardless of whose backing he has, Crawford wants it to happen. He said as much before Álvarez dealt with Charlo. Whilst not completely ruling it out, the Mexican said post-fight that the Omaha native was ‘not in the plan.’