Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion, has made headlines by openly supporting Terence Crawford in a potential bout against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. This highly anticipated match could take place at the end of this year or in early 2025.
In a recent conversation with 3KRPodcast, Usyk praised Crawford’s bold decision to jump up three weight classes to challenge Canelo. He emphasized Crawford’s exceptional intelligence and versatility in the ring. “Terence is my friend, but he’s a crazy man,” Usyk remarked. “I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he’s a very, very, very smart man.”
Promoter Turki Alalshikh has been working tirelessly to finalize the clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. The plan is to stage the fight in the United States either late this year or at the beginning of 2025. The goal is to deliver the high-stakes matchups that boxing fans crave. Canelo has indicated that he would consider the fight if the financial terms are right.
While some boxing pundits believe Crawford will face significant challenges due to the weight class jump, others argue that his technical skills and ring IQ could enable him to overcome Canelo, even on the Mexican’s home turf. Crawford’s ambition was evident after his victory over Errol Spence Jr., where he expressed his desire to fight Canelo for the undisputed super middleweight title.
Initially, Canelo dismissed the idea, especially after his win over Jermell Charlo. On TV Azteca’s ‘En Caliente,’ he stated that Crawford wasn’t on his radar. However, Canelo has since indicated that if the financial incentives from Saudi Arabia are substantial, he would entertain the challenge.
Currently, Canelo is contemplating his next opponent for a September bout, following his win against Jaime Munguia. He might have to vacate the International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt, as he is mandated to fight official challenger William Scull, a fight he is not keen on.
On the other hand, Terence Crawford has his next fight lined up. He will headline a major event on August 3 in Los Angeles, aiming for his fourth title in a different division against Israil Madrimov, the reigning WBA 154-pound champion.
The potential bout between Canelo and Crawford has generated significant buzz in the boxing community. Usyk’s confident prediction in favor of Crawford has added fuel to the fire, increasing anticipation among fans. Usyk’s endorsement highlights the respect Crawford commands within the boxing world, despite the daunting challenge of moving up three weight classes to face a formidable opponent like Canelo.
In conclusion, the potential Canelo vs. Crawford fight promises to be an electrifying showdown, with high stakes and intense competition. Usyk’s support for Crawford underscores the unpredictability and excitement that this match could bring. Whether Crawford’s technical prowess and ring intelligence can prevail against Canelo’s power and experience remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: boxing fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting this clash of titans.
