Terence Crawford, the undisputed super middleweight champ, is demanding a $100 million purse to grant Canelo Alvarez a rematch.
In September, Crawford moved up two weight classes from 154 lbs to 168 lbs to defeat Canelo by a dominant unanimous decision. The victory made Bud the first male boxer in history to achieve undisputed status across three different weight classes, solidifying his claim as the pound-for-pound best in the world.
Despite the decisive nature of the first contest, reports indicated that Canelo wants a second shot at Crawford. While negotiations are reportedly underway, the dynamics have changed. Canelo’s purse for the first fight was approximately $150 million, while Crawford’s was significantly lower, allegedly in the region of $50 million. Now, Crawford holds all the leverage. One of Crawford’s trainers, Bernie Tha Boxer, says the figure is $100 million for a rematch.
READ: Why Canelo Alvarez Chases Terence Crawford Rematch With No
“Let me say this one last time, if they don’t give him $100 million, it ain’t happening. Them is Crawford’s words,” Bernie Tha Boxer
Does Bud Deserve It?
The most powerful argument for Crawford’s demand is the massive financial disparity of the initial bout. By demanding $100 million for the rematch, Crawford is simply seeking a figure that reflects his newly acquired status as the winner and the new undisputed champion. This demand serves to rebalance the scales.
Canelo’s entire motivation for the rematch is to reclaim his undisputed status and restore his legacy, which was tarnished by the decisive loss. Crawford now holds the asset Canelo needs. In the business of boxing, the person who holds the power is justified in setting the price for the challenger who desperately wants it back. The $100 million is the price for Canelo to get his legacy back.
