Terence Crawford Now Willing Fight Canelo Alvarez At 168
3kingsboxing.com previously reported that reigning undisputed welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (40-0, 31, KOs) would entertain fighting undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) at a catchweight of 160 pounds. Now, Crawford has a change of heart and is now willing to go all the way up to 168 to face the undisputed champion.
On September 30, Alvarez defends his crown against the undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs). Bud had his eye on going up to 154 to fight Iron Man. However, he is raising the stakes!
UPPING THE ANTE
Crawford is making the media rounds following his *July 29 knockout win over Errol Spence to become the undisputed champion at welterweight. During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Crawford was asked about potentially fighting Alvarez.
“You know Canelo and Jermell is fighting. I wanted to fight Jermell next since he was the 154-pound undisputed champion. But as you know, they’re going to strip him of his [WBO] belt once the bell rings and he fights Canelo. […] This is my era. I’m taking it, ain’t nobody gone stop me.
[…] Now I have to shift gears because I know I wanted to fight Jermell. But if he lose to Canelo […] I always said man, that’s a big step. For a person to go up three weight classes, from 147 to 168, and to win and become undisputed, wow, what can they say?”
Terence Crawford – Undisputed Welterweight Champion
The 35-year-old told Rogan that at this stage of his career, there’s nothing else for him to fight for. After pondering retirement, his juices are flowing at the prospect of a fight against Alvarez and the chance to become an undisputed champion in three different weight classes.
LIKING HIS CHANCES
Some observers feel that the super middleweight champion is too big for Crawford. However, the pride of Ohama, Nebraska believes it’s not about size as he assessed his chances in a fight with the Mexican superstar.
“I just believe in my abilities. Canelo’s not a big guy. He’s 5’8′; he’s big muscular-wise. But as far as height, nah.
“I think it can happen. To be honest, I think that’s the biggest fight in boxing. He beats Charlo, Terence Crawford, and Canelo; that’s the biggest fight in boxing. […] I’m ready now.
“A lot of people think that it’s all about weight. But I think it’s about the skill. I got the power to make anybody respect me. I don’t care what your weight is”.
Terence Crawford – Two-Divisional Undisputed Champion
With Crawford currently a free agent, the undisputed welterweight champion can fight for any promoter and network he wants. Bud is not wrong to think that a fight between him and Alvarez could be the biggest in the sport. It’s a potential 100 million-dollar event.
The comments from Crawford have reverberated and become a trending topic on social media. It makes the upcoming battle between Alvarez and Charlo more meaningful than ever.
