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“If he fights my sneaker, it’s going to generate a million pay-per-views.” This is how former professional boxer and ProBox TV analyst Paulie Malignaggi views the unified super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez‘s influence.

With that level of drawing power, ‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi expects the highly anticipated Terence Crawford vs. Canelo clash in September to be a massive event.

However, one thing he is not sure about is Canelo’s win against ‘Bud’ Crawford, a former two-division undisputed champion. Canelo vs. Crawford has been long in the making. It was thanks to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh that ‘Cinnamon’ finally agreed to share the ring with the Nebraskan. Earlier this year, the super middleweight king signed a four-fight deal with the Saudis, thus setting the stage for the massive clash.

Amir Khan Compares The Power Of Canelo, Terence Crawford And Marcos  Maidana: "He's A Beast" - Seconds Out

JUST IN: Turki Alalshikh Teases Huge Surprise for Canelo vs. Crawford Fight

This agreement will see Canelo tackle IBF super middleweight champion William Scullin May for all four belts en route to the massive pay-per-view bonanza against Crawford. But the thing is, a substantial amount of people believe that despite Crawford’s unmatched skills, he would become just another green notch in Canelo’s resume.

This is largely because the 37-year-old Crawford is jumping two weight classes for the fight without a rehydration clause in place—a move that has historically proven difficult for smaller fighters facing naturally bigger opponents. Despite this, Malignaggi believes Crawford holds a clear advantage in one key area. While speaking to Fight Hype recently, ‘Magic Man’ explained his point of view.

“I was originally thinking Crawford might be too small,” Malignaggi said. “I think Crawford is a way more complete fighter than Canelo ever was. The only risk here is Crawford’s small. You think about it though, [Roberto] Duran, was a former lightweight and he was able to beat Iran Barkley eventually.” It’s worth noting that Duran and Barkley fought in 1989, and the fight came to a split decision win for Duran, despite Barkley having defeated Tommy Hearns before that.

Regardless, Malignaggi explained, “This Canelo is not the prime Canelo. This Canelo is also a Canelo who’s trying to steal bags while half-a**ing it. When Canelo has been put in tough situations, in the moments where he’s had to really dig down, what has he done? He hasn’t really dug down and gone for broke. In fights where he’s been losing, he just kind of accepted the loss.”

Malignaggi tried to justify his point by highlighting Canelo’s fight against Floyd Mayweather, noting, “Early on with Floyd too. People will say that he was young, but he never really took a risk in the Floyd fight once he was outclassed. He just accepted like, ‘All right, this guy’s outclassing me.’” He even roped in Canelo’s loss to Dmitry Bivol, suggesting Canelo was in his prime for this fight and couldn’t make that excuse.

It’s worth noting that Terence Crawford struggled to find his rhythm against Israil Madrimov last year due to Madrimov’s unorthodox boxing style. So, what suggests Crawford will be able to handle Canelo, especially at a much heavier weight class where the Mexican star has dominated for years? Crawford relies on agility and his skills, something that may prove daunting in the later rounds when the fighters are fatigued.

Still, Crawford seems to have convinced many that an upset is in the making.

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman has weighed in on a potential showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. Rahman believes Crawford has the skill advantage and will outbox Canelo if they meet in the ring. “In the [Jermell] Charlo fight, I wasn’t really impressed with Canelo,” Rahman told FightHype. “Even though he won it, I really didn’t think he did what I thought he was capable of doing. I feel like that gave Terence a blueprint in how to fight him.”

Rahman also claimed Canelo has received favorable decisions in the past. “I’ve seen Canelo lose fights. They just didn’t take it from him, but I feel that Terence will outbox him.” He further argued that Canelo has become “a little spoiled” by recent opposition, adding, “I think that’s going to be to his disservice in this fight. I think Terence is going to win.”

Having said that, it appears as the days pass, more and more people are starting to believe Terence Crawford can beat Canelo Alvarez. However, such statements about Canelo’s opponents aren’t anything new, it’s just that Crawford is on a completely different level.

Turki Alalshikh teased a major announcement on Friday regarding the highly anticipated boxing fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, labeled “one of the biggest” in history by the Mexican champion.

The member of the Saudi Royal Court and chairman of the General Entertainment Authority stated that the details about the promoter and platform will be revealed after May 3.

“After the third of May, we will announce the details about the Canelo and Crawford fight, the big fight in the history of boxing,” Alalshikh said on X Spaces. “We will not announce it until the 3rd [before Canelo’s fight against IBF super middleweight champion William Scull], all the details.

Turki Alalshikh Reveals Why Canelo-Crawford Collapsed: "He's Afraid And  Only Wants Easy Fights" - Seconds Out

READ: Hearn Reveals Anthony Joshua Injury Setback, and When He’s Likely to Return

“There will be a surprise about who the promoter will be for this big fight, and the platform you will see the big fight.”

Dana White to promote Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford?

Turki Alalshikh: “There’s a surprise about who will be the promoter of this big fight and the platform you will see it on.” pic.twitter.com/uiHGwfAfLH

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 14, 2025

While Alalshikh has hyped the event as the biggest fight in boxing history, it’s fair to question Crawford’s presence in the matchup, considering the former undisputed welterweight champion has never competed at 168 pounds.

It has already been reported that Alalshikh’s TKO Boxing could promote the event and that Netflix could carry the broadcast.

“Canelo will want to focus on his dangerous fight (against William Scull) on the third of May, and after that, we will talk about the future,” Alalshikh said.

Despite skepticism from some boxing fans, the Sept. 13 bout between Alvarez and Crawford in Las Vegas is expected to be a major event.

In Alvarez’s eyes, there is a chance this fight surpasses the 2.2 million PPV buys generated by the clash between him and Floyd Mayweather held on Sept. 2013.

“I think it’s going to be bigger, even than the Mayweather fight [against myself],” Canelo said about the fight. “It’s going to be bigger than that.

“Yes, I think so (it will sell more PPVs). Just look how much he’s accomplished and how much I accomplished. So imagine two fighters with those accomplishments. It’s huge. Huge.”

It was not business as usual when the Mexican boxing icon Canelo Alvarez recently participated in a peculiar interview.

The boxer took part in a playful challenge in bid to promote his upcoming bout with William Scull. During the promotional press conference, the interviewer line-listed all the legendary as well as present fighters subjecting Canelo to respond with a punch whenever he heard a name of whoever was stronger than him inside the ropes.

Álvarez has had a remarkable career progression. He turned professional at 15, shortly after his championship at the Junior Nationals, since his trainers at the time, father-and-son team Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, were unable to secure suitable junior rivals for him. In his first 19 months as a professional, he knocked out eleven of his 13 documented opponents, all of whom were considerably older.

HBO Boxing News: Canelo Alvarez Interview

READ: Canelo Finally Admits That There Is One Rival Better Than Him

The interviewer line-listed a good number of Alvarez’s past challengers, such as Caleb Plant, Edgar Berlanga, and Gennady Golovkin. Others include Bernard Hopkins and Julio Cesar Chavez. The rules were simple: Punch the interviewer if Alvarez heard a better boxer than himself.

The interview took an unexpected turn when Canelo admitted two of his past rivals who got the best of him in their respective bouts. It was until Dmitry Bivol’s name featured is when Canelo struck. He responded by landing a punch on the reporter’s shoulder.

“That night he was better than me,” Canelo self-confessed, in reference to his 2022 defeat to Bivolin their light heavyweight contest.

The interviewer further continued, mentioning Floyd Mayweather, eliciting another punch from the boxer.

“At that moment he was better than me,” Alvarez admitted, referring to his 2013 loss to Mayweather. The defeat remains as the only clear one in his career aside from the Bivol match.

The light-hearted build-up was wrapped with the mention of Muhammad Ali, a boxing legend whom Canelo further reacted to with another punch, concluding the fun exchange

Elsewhere, Mexican boxer continues to prepare for his next fight scheduled for May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against Cuban William Scull. In 2021, Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) became the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, holding this distinction until July 2024.

The Mexican fighter who has held multiple world championships in four weight classes will try to defeat Scull and become the unified supermiddleweight champion again. However, according to his manager the opponent will not be easy. Eddy Reynoso, has already shared with his pupil about the risks of facing the Caribbean boxer.

The trainer recalled that Scull is an unbeaten fighter with a record of 23 wins in 23 fights and nine knockouts. Further, he is a fighter hungry for victory, who will embark on the ropes with nothing to lose, but a lot to gain.

“This is the fight of my life,” Scull said of the fight against Canelo. “I know I’m not known in the world, but I have a title won in the ring and I knew Canelo was going to come for my belt, my turn came,” said Scull in a press interview.

Canelo Alvarez has taken on some major names during his boxing career.

The Mexican superstar has been at the forefront of the sport for over a decade, becoming a four-weight world champion from super-welterweight to light heavyweight in the process.

He is set for a busy 2025, first taking on IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull in May, where a victory would see WBC, WBA and WBO champion Canelo once again become undisputed at 168lbs.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to face Gennady Golovkin in trilogy fight on  September 17 | Boxing News | Sky Sports

READ: Why Turki Alalshikh ‘no longer interested’ in Dmitry Bivol-David Benavidez

Alvarez is then scheduled to turn his attention to a huge clash against fellow pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford in September, with ‘Bud’ stepping up two weight divisions from 154lbs for the bout.

The planned bout in Las Vegas is the arguably the most anticipated fight of the year, and will be the latest mega fight that Canelo has been involved in.

He’s already shared the ring with elite fighters such as Floyd Mayweather, Gennady Golovkin, Dmitry Bivol, Shane Mosley, Sergey Kovalev and Miguel Cotto, and has now admitted that one of them was better than him.

Canelo has only tasted defeat twice in his career, back in 2013 early in his career when he took on Mayweather, and then again in 2022 when he stepped up to 175lbs and fought Bivol.

Speaking to DAZN Boxing, Canelo was asked to react when he heard a better fighter than him, and conceded that Mayweather fit the bill.

“In that moment, he was better than me.”

Mayweather defeated Canelo comfortably on points in their meeting, and Alvarez has recently revealed whether he thinks his upcoming bout with Crawford is an even bigger fight.

“He’s Crazy” Oleksandr Usyk Is Certain Who Wins Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez Fight

Terence Crawford has made it clear that a fight against Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez is his main motivation left in the sport.

The American pound-for-pound star has been targeting the unified super-middleweight champion ever since his career defining victory over Errol Spence Jr last year

When he failed to lure the Mexican into the ring he stepped up to super-welterweight and won the WBA belt on his debut at the weight class against Israil Madrimov.

The man originally willing to financially back the Canelo clash, Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh, has since removed his interest in making it happen but claimed we may never see ‘Bud’ back in the ring if he can’t land the fight.

“I don’t think Crawford will fight anyone except Canelo.

This is my opinion. This is what I feel, but it is about him. We gave him an offer for [Vergil] Ortiz and I don’t know if he will take it or not. We have an agreement to do a big fight for Ortiz if Crawford doesn’t take the fight … But I don’t think [Crawford] will take it.

RELATED : It is a Scam” Turki Alalshikh Responds To Rumours That Terence Crawford…..

If the match-up can be made, then current unified heavyweight champion and fellow pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk told the 3 Knockdown Rule that he would expect the naturally smaller man to get his hand raised.

“I like Terence. He’s a crazy man.

Terence win. Listen, Terence is different man. Terence works on two sides. Right and left, he’s very smart man. He feels distance and space.”

Terence crawford

“Canelo big, yeah, good boxer, but I say, Terence. Terence can box him like a big guy.”

Whilst fans wait to see what Crawford will do next, Canelo is back in the ring on September 14 against unbeaten fighter Edger Berlanga.

After Sharing The Ring With Both Dmitry Bivol Delivers Honest Verdict On Canelo vs Benavidez

Dmitry Bivol is soon to get a shot at becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion. If he wins, David Benavidez is first in line to face him.

In his way is fearsome puncher Artur Beterbiev, the IBF, WBO and WBC champion who has a 100% knockout record having stopped all 20 of his opponents to date. He had to postpone the pair’s first fight date in June due to dental surgery and they are now set to meet on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the meantime, Benavidez has moved up from super middleweight to become WBC interim light-heavyweight champion. Despite the new division and the future shot against the Bivol-Beterbiev winner, he still wants unified super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez after years of chasing. It is, fans agree, one of the best match-ups in the sport.

Canelo is no stranger to the move up to 175 himself, having beaten Sergey Kovalev but fallen short against Bivol.

Bivol – who has shared tough sparring sessions with Benavidez in the past – was asked by FightHype what might happen should Canelo finally agree to the fight – and he says it’s a pure 50/50 contest.

“That’s an interesting fight.

I think 50-50 fight. Benavidez is not an easy fighter at all you know and he could make a lot of problems for Canelo.”

RELATED : Teddy Atlas Knows ‘The Only Way’ Terence Crawford Will Fight..

With Benavidez moving up to light-heavyweight, Bivol is open to a clash against the ‘Mexican Monster’, but said his main focus is getting all the belts against Beterbiev.

“It could be a great fight, why not, but my goal is to fight for belts.”

Canelo’s next fight is in September when he defends against Edgar Berlanga. Should he win, Benavidez may well then get his shot at the Mexican, though many think ‘Canelo’ is running scared.

As Benavidez Decides To Stay At 175 Canelo Alvarez Makes Major U-Turn On Terence Crawford Fight.

Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez has seemingly had a change of heart about a possible fight against Terence Crawford.

Terence Crawford set his sights on the super-middleweight champion after he dominated Errol Spence Jr last year to become undisputed champion at welterweight.

In reaction, Canelo, when speaking with Box Azteca, completely ruled out facing the naturally smaller man,

“No [I will never fight Crawford].

People criticised me fighting Charlo because he was coming up in weight so now imagine Crawford going from welterweight to 168lbs, I have everything to lose and nothing to gain because if I win, they’ll say, ‘Oh, he was too small, and everything!”

However, in a more recent interview with Supreme Boxing, the Mexican said he is now willing to fight ‘Bud’ if the money is right.

“It depends on the money but why not?

“In the end, he is a great fighter, Crawford, obviously 3 divisions lower, but as I have said to you, I have fought with people bigger than me, the same categories as me, shorter than me, older than me, younger than me. In the end, I was born to fight, I am here to fight with whoever, obviously with the terms that most suit me, at this point in my career I am always going to do the best fights and those that suit me.”

If money is the main determining factor in making it happen then fans might just get their wish, as the man behind boxing in Saudi Arabia Turki Alalshikh has told ESPN he intends to make the clash and will be offering Canelo a ‘fair price’ very soon.

RELATED : A hard time, “He will give up” – Sparring partner who KO’d Daniel….

“I will give Canelo what I think is a fair price. If he accepts it, he deals directly with me to finish the deal. 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 is crazy [with his financial demands] I will still guarantee Crawford any fight he wants.”

Terence crawford

With David Benavidez deciding to stay at at light-heavyweight to face the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rather than continue to chase a Canelo showdown, the four weight world champions options for the huge payday he’s looking for are starting to look slim without Crawford.

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