Terence Crawford Vs. Canelo Alvarez Showdown Called Off

The only fighter who can draw both on pay-per-view and at the gate, no matter who his opponent is, remains the unquestioned face of boxing, Alvarez.

On May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Canelo will fight William Scull for the IBF title, which was stripped from him last year. This will be a preparation for a bout ahead between him and Terence Crawford in September. Canelo was picked in 2024 after he won against Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga, and will occur on condition that Canelo wins undisputed and comes out without injury.

However, the much-anticipated showdown between Terence Crawford–Canelo Alvarez that was to take place in September at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, organised by Riyadh Season, was cancelled by Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority 48 hours after the agreement. This was supported by @angelfall4164 on YouTube, who was grateful and shared, “Thank God we don't have to see Crawford get knocked out.”

In a super-middleweight bout that never was, one could feel for Benavidez, for having wished to land a fight with Canelo. Being clear that Canelo was disinterested in the fight, gave Benavidez the Mexican opportunity to move up to light heavyweight in where he defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell, and in turn, fight the winner of a rematch between Beterbiev vs. Bivol.

But that fight isn't happening for Benevidez anytime soon after Bivol decided to vacate the title to pursue a trilogy fight with Beterbiev rather than face Benavidez. It just isn't a good look for a top-heavy division when the optics suggest that nobody wants to fight Benavidez.

While Crawford is just one of three men in boxing's four-belt era to have held all four belts in two different divisions, thus, super lightweight and welterweight, previously, Canelo held the undisputed super middleweight title. Both Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) and Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) are in the division four world championship and are ranked No. 6 and No. 2 on the uncrowned pound-for-pound list, respectively.

If the fight between Canelo and Crawford ultimately happens, it will give the latter a chance to become a five-division champion, but due to his size disadvantage, he is bound to lose.

In comparison, currently, Alvarez campaigns at the 168-pound super-middleweight limit, as Crawford has only boxed once above 147 pounds and in his most recent bout, in a close decision won over Israil Madrimov.