Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford Finalizing Super Middleweight Title Fight
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are nearing a deal for a super middleweight championship fight on September 13 in Las Vegas, while Alvarez prepares for a title defense on May 3.
Canelo Alvarez, recognized as boxing's top star, and Terence Crawford are reportedly finalizing a deal for a super middleweight championship fight scheduled for September 13 in Las Vegas, according to sources at ESPN.
Crawford, who successfully moved up to 154 pounds from 147 last August with a title win against Israil Madrimov, will make another jump of two weight classes to compete at the 168-pound limit for this bout. Notably, there will not be any catchweight or rehydration clause linked to the fight, as stated by sources.
This event is being organized by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who also facilitated Crawford's most recent fight. However, as of now, there are no signed contracts.
Before proceeding to the anticipated Mexican Independence Day matchup against Crawford, Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) is set to defend his three titles at the 168-pound category during the Cinco De Mayo Weekend. Rumors suggest that he may face William Scull, who reclaimed the title stripped from Alvarez last year, on May 3 in Las Vegas. A win against Scull would restore Alvarez as the undisputed champion.
Alvarez, aged 34, holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles at 168 pounds and is currently ranked as ESPN's No. 5 pound-for-pound boxer. In 2024, he secured decision victories over Jamie Munuia and Edgar Berlanga, knocking down each of his last four opponents.
The fighter's last five victories came after a decision defeat to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022 at 175 pounds; his only other loss was against Floyd Mayweather in 2013 at 152 pounds.
On the other hand, Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), also recognized as a future Hall of Famer and ESPN's No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer, hasn't executed more than one fight per year since 2019. His career highlight occurred in July 2023, with a ninth-round TKO of Errol Spence Jr. that earned him the undisputed welterweight championship.
Crawford, aged 37, is focused on bulking his body up to 168 pounds from 154 and has no plans to fight prior to meeting Alvarez. Like Alvarez, Crawford is a four-division champion.
