Terence Crawford and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez are moving closer to a super-middleweight showdown. The two champions are in talks for a September bout, with veteran promoter Bob Arum changing his tune on the potential outcome.
Crawford, currently fighting at super-welterweight, plans to jump up two divisions to face Canelo. He's brushing off warnings about the difficulty of such a leap. The negotiations have picked up steam, with boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh playing a key role in the discussions.
Canelo had previously dismissed the idea of fighting Crawford, but the conversations have taken a positive turn.
Bob Arum, Crawford's former promoter, has changed his prediction for the potential matchup. Last September, Arum told Fight Hub TV:
"I think Canelo wipes the floor with him. I love Crawford, I told you when Crawford was fighting Spence that Crawford would beat the hell out of him. But Canelo is a different proposition. It's an interesting fight, but I think there's only one winner. Canelo is used to fighting at a particular level and I don't think that Terence can hurt Canelo, but Canelo can hurt Terence."
Now, about 18 months later, the 93-year-old boxing veteran has a different view. He told FightHype:
"I wouldn't count Crawford out in any fight, because Crawford has a unique talent. He's a great boxer, boxer-puncher, and he is totally ambidextrous. So he drives his opponent crazy, because the opponent trains to fight a right handed fighter and ends up fighting a southpaw. That's what happened to Errol Spence. Spence trained to fight a right-handed fighter and all he saw was a southpaw … I think what Crawford is looking for Manny Pacquiao vs De La Hoya."
Crawford's ability to switch between right-handed and southpaw stances could be a key factor. He used this skill effectively in his recent victory over Errol Spence. Canelo, known for his grit and skill, will have the advantage of being used to fighting at the higher weight.
The two champions might take interim fights in May before their potential September clash. Crawford aims to replicate Manny Pacquiao's performance against De La Hoya, hoping to cement his legacy with a win over Canelo.
