Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority boss Turki Al-Sheikh has declared that he wants Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford soon but warned the Mexican not to overplay his hand regarding fight purses from the potential bout.
Crawford, aged 36, holds a perfect 40-0-0 with 31 KOs and has an exceptional reputation as a multi-weight champion whilst he is also the current WBA and WBO welterweight king after previously being undisputed before losing the IBF belt for contractual reasons.
Whilst Canelo, aged 34, is 65-2-2 with 39 KOs and has held belts in four boxing weight classes as well as becoming the only ever undisputed super-middleweight champion before he lost his IBF belt for contractual reasons. He is currently ranked as the fourth-best boxer pound-for-pound as a highly skilled counterpuncher.
So, a bout between the pair has been long anticipated and now Turki Al-Sheikh seems keen to make it happen as Saudi Arabia continues to become the dominant force in the modern boxing market, although there is a warning.
“I will give Canelo the price I think is fair. If he accepts it, he will deal directly with me to finalise the deal,” Al-Sheikh said, as per ESPN. “I don’t want anyone in the middle. I guaranteed Crawford a big fight.
“I want Canelo for Crawford, and Crawford wants Canelo but if Canelo goes crazy [with his financial demands], I’ll still guarantee Crawford any fight he wants.”
When could Canelo vs Crawford happen?
The mouth-watering fight between two highly-skilled, very durable, very intelligent and exceptionally proven boxers will have to wait until 2025 due to current obligations for the pair in 2024.
For Canelo, that would only leave 10 weeks to recover and prepare a training camp to face Crawford in 2024, which is too tall an order even for someone with his reputation and legacy in boxing.
