Terence Crawford wants to move up two weight classes to fight Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. The undisputed welterweight champion has made it clear he's got his sights set on the Mexican superstar.
Crawford's been busy lately. He beat Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed at 147 pounds. Then he won a world title at 154 pounds against Israil Madrimov. That win was a step towards his goal of facing Canelo, who holds three of the four belts at 168 pounds.
But talks for the big fight have hit a snag. Canelo's not ready to take on big challenges right now. Even Turki Alalshikh, the man behind Riyadh Season, says he's not interested in making the fight anymore.
Alalshikh shared his thoughts in a recent interview. He thinks Crawford won't fight anyone but Canelo:
"Great fight [Crawford-Ennis] but not the top fight we want to see … I don't think Crawford will fight anyone except Canelo. This is my opinion. This is what I feel, but it is about him. We gave him an offer for [Vergil] Ortiz and I don't know if he will take it or not. We have an agreement to do a big fight for Ortiz if Crawford doesn't take the fight … But I don't think [Crawford] will take it. I think he only wants Canelo. I understand that. I respect all the fighters. Sometimes the people don't understand my character. I am in the camp of the fighters."
Alalshikh offered Crawford a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr, but he doesn't think Crawford will take it. He's got a backup plan for Ortiz if Crawford says no.
Crawford might retire if he can't get the Canelo fight. Or he might try to become undisputed in a third weight class at super-welterweight.
Canelo's not ready to talk about fighting Crawford yet. He's getting ready to fight Edgar Berlanga on September 14. After that, he might consider the Crawford fight if the money's right.
