Talk of a monster fight between undisputed champions Terence Crawford and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has swept through the boxing world in recent weeks, despite the the three weight classes currently between the pair.
Crawford is the holder of all four belts in the 147lbs welterweight ranks after his stunning win over Terence Crawford back in July, whilst Alvarez has had that accolade up at super middleweight (168lbs) since 2021.
So impressive was ‘Bud’ in his defeat of Spence, that there are a sizeable minority of pundits who have claimed he would get the better of Alvarez if the pair were to meet in a catchweight bout.
One of those is former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, who said on Froch on Fighting he would back Crawford to overcome the size differential against the Mexican, though added he should not be held to ransom over the weight.
“Terence Crawford [beats Alvarez]. Errol Spence is a huge welterweight, and Crawford had absolutely no problem with him. Canelo started at welterweight!”
“It depends what weight they want to make Crawford go up to. Any weight over 154, he should say no. I would refuse anything below 160, though I think he wins at that weight.”
“Crawford is exceptional. His boxing IQ is second to none. You only have people like Vasiliy Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk who can process things and put them into practise like him. Bud is also nasty. I spent time with him in the gym, and he’s a killer.”
“He has a bit of the devil in him.”
Canelo has essentially ruled out fighting underneath his current weight-class.
Though both men have stated they would be willing to take the fight in recent interviews, they each have more pressing issues at hand before any serious negotiations can commence.
Guadalajara favourite Alvarez will defend his super middleweight crown against Jermell Charlo on September 30, whilst Crawford is due to lock horns with Spence again after the former Olympian triggered a contractual rematch clause.