Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is gearing up for a monumental showdown with fellow pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford.
The 34-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico is set to make the first defence of his undisputed super-middleweight championship against ‘Bud’ Crawford on Saturday September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Canelo began his second reign as undisputed champion at 168lbs on May 3 after he defeated former IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull in Riyadh. The Mexican great faced-off with Crawford for the first time moments after he was declared the winner against Scull.
As he prepares for what could be one of the biggest fights of his career, Canelo has set his sights on facing one man in particular after his showdown with ‘Bud’ in two months.
When asked by The Ring Magazine who there is left for him to face, Canelo admitted that he wants a rematch against Dmitry Bivol, after the Russian superstar handed him just the second defeat of his career several years ago.
“I hope I have the opportunity to have the rematch with Bivol, that’s the only fight at 175 I would really take.
I want to tell myself ‘Hey, you learned something from that fight’, what things you don’t need to do again. I have that thing in myself which says ‘Hey, you need to show that you’re a better fighter than him’.”
The Russian would go on to become the undisputed champion at 175lbs earlier this year as he outpointed rival Artur Beterbiev in their entertaining rematch on February 22. A trilogy bout between the duo is expected to take place during the early stages of 2026.
Terence Crawford has sent a scathing message to a potential future rival.
The 37-year-old switch-hitter from Omaha, Nebraska is just shy of 40-fights into his exceptional professional career, which began way back in 2008.
Crawford has already won world titles across four weight divisions, as well as capturing the undisputed championship at super-lightweight and welterweight, becoming the first male fighter of all time to achieve this feat within the ‘four belt era’.
Speaking on the Cigar Talk Podcast, Crawford discussed the possibility of a future showdown with lightweight star Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, as he claims the 30-year-old world champion ‘would never’ make the move up in weight to face him.
“Tank would never. He would never even think about to come up to 154.”
‘Bud’ was then asked if he believes Davis would move up to welterweight, should the opportunity present itself.
“Yes, if he gets to pick his opponent, but Tank would never go from 35 to 54.”
Davis currently reigns as the WBA world lightweight champion, with the next defence of his crown set to come against Lamont Roach Jr in their highly anticipated rematch.
The pair locked horns for the first time back in March as they fought to a close split decision draw at the Barclays Center in New York City. It is being speculated that the rematch will take place in Las Vegas on August 16.
Terence Crawford is preparing for the biggest fight of his career, moving up two weight classes to take on undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
But an old sparring video is once again sparking debate about his chances to win the mega-fight.
The video shows Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) and current WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames going head-to-head, with Adames getting the better of “Bud” on several exchanges. Now it’s being used by critics as a way to question Crawford’s move to 168 lbs from his current division, 154 lbs.
🚨 When Crawford was Getting Destroyed by Carlos Adames in Sparring.
Remember he’s a 160 pounder what 🫵🏼 think Canelo about to do to him at 168 💯🤝😤🫵🏼‼️ pic.twitter.com/8SGjFloEbK
— INEVITABLE/DBLOCK🎙️🥊 (@AdrianReyn79551) July 8, 2025
The video reportedly dates back to when Crawford was a lightweight (135 lbs), which is a division he hasn’t fought at since 2014. Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) was fighting at welterweight (147 lbs) at the time, meaning there was at least a 12 lbs difference between the two boxers.
Despite the video being recorded a long time ago, critics use it as pinning point to why Crawford’s size won’t translate to super-middleweight. “Bud’s” last fight was Aug. 3rd, 2024, where he beat Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision to win the WBA junior middleweight title, his first fight at 154 lbs. Now, he is jumping up 14 more pounds to fight the cash cow of boxing.
Although he has critics, many supporters have defended Crawford, pointing out that sparring sessions don’t really emulate a real fight. Not to mention that sparring is usually the time for fighters to practice and implement new arsenals to their game.
🚨 When Crawford was Getting Destroyed by Carlos Adames in Sparring.
Remember he’s a 160 pounder what 🫵🏼 think Canelo about to do to him at 168 💯🤝😤🫵🏼‼️ pic.twitter.com/8SGjFloEbK
— INEVITABLE/DBLOCK🎙️🥊 (@AdrianReyn79551) July 8, 2025
The video may add fuel to the haters, but realistically it’s not a representation of Crawford’s odds against Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs). And on top of that, “Bud” is the rare breed of special boxers that could adapt to any scenario he’s put in. He’s not the No. 3 pound-for-pound in the Ring Magazine rankings for no reason.
Canelo vs Crawford is a fight that mixes the entertainment value of Riyadh Season with the narrative of the best fighting the best. Whatever happens Sept. 13th, let’s hope it lives up to the hype.
On Saturday night September 13th, a mega fight is set to take place as two-time undisputed super-middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) will defend his crown against former two-division undisputed champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs).
This extraordinary world title bout is set to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it will feature two boxers who have both been fixtures at the top of boxing’s pound for pound list for multiple years. Canelo Alvarez has an admirable resume, and on September 13th he plans on adding the distinct accomplishment of placing a blemish on Crawford’s perfect record.
Canelo is a great boxer, but he doesn’t have an unblemished record, which means, there is a blueprint that Crawford can follow.
CAN CRAWFORD FOLLOW THE BLUEPRINT THAT BEAT CANELO?
Back in September 2013, the unified super-welterweight world champion Canelo Alvarez was defending his titles against Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
Casual fans label Mayweather as a runner, but in the opening round against Canelo, Mayweather was the aggressor. Floyd Mayweather was constantly pressing forward feinting and changing levels with the jab. Mayweather was so sharp to the point that he made the first half of the fight look like a glorified sparring session. In the second half of the bout, Mayweather continued to overwhelm Alvarez with his movement, reflexes, the lead right hand, the left hook, and precise counter punching.
At the conclusion of the match, the scores would reveal that Canelo suffered his first career loss. Nine years later, Canelo Alvarez moved up to 175 to challenge the WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. The defending world champion displayed an immense amount of discipline as he stuck to his game plan. Throughout the championship bout, Bivol utilized movement, an active jab, and he routinely threw punches in bunches. At the conclusion of the 12-round contest, Dmitry Bivol was declared the winner via unanimous decision.
WHY CRAWFORD’S SKILLS GIVE HIM THE EDGE ON SEPTEMBER 13
Mayweather and Bivol navigated a path to victory against Canelo in their own unique ways. However, both men used some of the same tools such as being defensively responsible, utilizing movement, elite footwork, controlling the distance, having good timing, and precise counter punching.
Terence Crawford is an elite boxer who is capable of utilizing the same tools that Mayweather and Bivol used against Alvarez. On fight night, Canelo will obviously have the size advantage, but Crawford holds multiple advantages. The mega fight against Canelo is a bout that Crawford will win.
Crawford is a switch-hitter who is faster and more athletic than Canelo. Crawford has a high ring IQ, speed, good power, and impeccable timing. Crawford will cleverly use his ring generalship and skill set to pull off the biggest win of his career.
During the first couple of rounds, Crawford likes to download the data and basically gauge the range and distance. At this point of the fight, Terence Crawford is switching between the orthodox and southpaw stance. Once Crawford figures everything out, he will commit to fighting out of the southpaw stance. Crawford will have an active lead hand as he will probe, feint, and utilize the jab. Crawford will dictate the pace of the fight with his footwork and movement.
Canelo likes to use the high guard when he applies physical and mental pressure, but Crawford is aware of the tactic, and he will be prepared for it.
Crawford will neutralize Canelo’s guard with feints and level changes. Bud Crawford will make things easy for himself by boxing from the outside. The brief moments he is inside of the pocket, he will utilize foot work, good punch selection, precise timing, and he will be defensively responsible. On the night of September 13th, Terence “Bud” Crawford is going to execute his game plan by utilizing his skills, being smart, and staying disciplined. Canelo has the size advantage, but skills pay the bills, and Crawford plans on cashing in by winning and becoming a three-division undisputed world champion.
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford never touched each other when they stood face to face Friday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Alvarez shoved Crawford the last time they posed for photos following a press conference Sunday afternoon at Javits Center in New York. The undisputed super middleweight champion claimed during the third and final stop on the promotional tour for their fight Sept. 13 that he only pushed Crawford because he aggressively walked forward as promoter Dana White and others tried to separate them.
Alvarez also alleged that Turki Alalshikh, the head of Riyadh Season, instructed Crawford to get physical to attract attention to their second of three press conferences over an eight-day span.
“He tried to walk me back and [that] just was my reaction,” Alvarez said while seated on stage Friday. “That’s it. You know what kind of fighter I am. I always try to respect my opponents. And I think he [didn’t do] it because he really wanted to do [it]. I think Turki Alalshikh told him, ‘You need to do something.’
“And he did. He did. And now, before I respect his word because he say, ‘Oh, I’m not gonna let somebody tell me what I need to do.’ And he did … But you know me. Just I respect everybody, but if you [expletive] with me, it’s gonna be different.”
An incredulous Crawford denied Alalshikh asked him to do anything when he and Alvarez faced off for the second time in less than 48 hours. Their promotional tour began a week ago in Saudi Arabia, where the fellow four-division champions respectfully dealt with each other in what amounted to an uneventful launch to this promotion.
“Turki didn’t ask me to do nothing,” Crawford said. “I didn’t touch him. Listen, first and foremost, somebody was in the room saying that I was scared of him. So, I stepped to him and showed him who was the boss of this fight. I ain’t scared of [expletive].”
Alvarez interrupted and identified Crawford’s “uncle” as the man who suggested he was scared of a fighter he’ll challenge for The Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
“I ain’t scared of [expletive] and you gonna find that out,” Crawford said. “As you seen, the last press conference, when I walked you down, when you was supposed to be the bigger man.”
Netflix will stream their 12-round, 168-pound championship worldwide to more than 300 million subscribers.
Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) is a slight favorite to defeat Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), a former undisputed junior welterweight and welterweight champion. Crawford, who will turn 38 two weeks after he challenges Alvarez, will end a 13-month layoff the night he’ll attempt to become boxing’s first three-division undisputed champion.
September 13 will be the biggest night of Terence Crawford’s professional boxing career as he fights Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight title.
‘Bud’ Crawford is looking to make history as he aims to become a three-division undisputed champion. Crawford has previously held the undisputed title at junior welterweight and welterweight.
Canelo, right now, is the biggest name in boxing and Crawford’s most high-profile opponent. ‘Bud’ is moving up two weight divisions to fight Canelo, which is a major narrative of the fight, with fans and experts doubting Crawford can handle Canelo’s power at 168 lbs.
The Nebraska native looks confidence in his ability and is looking to shock the Mexican with a signature performance. Crawford is yet to be bettered inside the ring and boasts a perfect 41-0-0 record with 31 knockouts.
While there’s no denying Crawford’s brilliance, a resurfaced clip from 2023 shows ‘Bud’ himself doubted his chances against someone like Canelo at super middleweight. He echoed the sentiment that boxing has weight classes for a reason, proving that his doubters are not completely wrong in their stance.
Back in 2023, speaking to the EBRO in the Morning podcast, he said:
Canelo fights at 168 lbs+. I don’t see us fighting. 154 lbs realistically (is the highest I can fight at). Those boys get big up there. I’m not a person to toot my own horn too loud to be able to say I can beat the world. I understand there’s weight classes for a reason, and I respect the weight classes. I think 154 lbs is my max.
The comments came shortly after Terence Crawford’s sensational win against Errol Spence Jr. However, ‘Bud’ has clearly changed his mind. He is taking a risk to further solidify his greatness and by beating Canelo Alvarez, he can become of the best to ever lace up a pair of gloves.
It’s a high risk, high reward game for Crawford. Crawford himself stated that he’ll only make $10 million from the fight in an appearance on Ring Champs with Ak & Barak, but there’s no official purse released. All in all, it looks like a calculated career decision from ‘Bud’ to cement his legacy rather than earn a payday.
Crawford said as much when explaining his decision to Ak & Barak, saying “I’m doing it for the opportunity, baby, the legacy. The legacy outweighs the money.”
Canelo and Crawford have already done two press conferences, in Riyadh and New York. Their third presser is set for June 27 in Las Vegas.
