Is Canelo Alvarez Bypassing His Contenders?

WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF Super Middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, 62-2-2 with 39 stoppages out of Guadalajara, Mexico, is scheduled to defend against WBO Interim Super Welterweight champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, 41-0 with 31 stoppages of Omaha, Nebraska, on September 13th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alvarez, in his last four fights, has defeated super middleweight contenders, including his last fight against IBF champion Cuban William ‘Indomable’ Scull, 23-0, from Germany, a month ago in May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Prior to that, also by decision, ‘Canelo’ defeated Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga, 22-0; Jamie Munguia, 43-0, and Jermell ‘Iron Man’ Charlo, 43-0, all Super Middleweights.

Crawford never weighed over 147 before his last fight in August of 2024, defeating the WBO interim World Super Welterweight champion Israil ‘The Dream’ Madrimov, 10-0-1, weighing 153 ½, at the BMO Stadium, in Los Angeles, California, by scores of 115-113 twice and 116-112.

So, come September, it will be thirteen months since Crawford had his last fight, and possibly giving up some thirteen pounds if he comes in at approximately 154, while Canelo was 167 in his last fight.

Being a former Lightweight, Light Welterweight, and Welterweight champion now at age 37, the southpaw Crawford should be a big underdog against ‘Canelo’, who is 34.

Canelo hasn’t lost since May of 2022 to Dimitrii Bivol, 19-0, now 24-1, holding titles at WBO, IBF, and IBO in the Light heavyweight division.

Has Crawford earned a title fight at super middleweight, or is he looking for a big pay day that ‘Canelo’ seems to bring into the fight?

“I got the style. I got the skills, I got the heart, and I’m not going to sit around and play no games with Canelo, because he’s not going to play no games with me. It’s going to be a good fight, and I’m excited,” said Terence Crawford to Ring Magazine.

“It’s no animosity towards Canelo at all. I’m a fan of Canelo. I’ve been watching him for a long time,” said Crawford.