Terence Crawford has set his sights on a super-middleweight showdown with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. The two champions will face off on September 13, pending an official announcement.
Crawford, from Omaha, Nebraska, has decided to skip any interim bouts and jump straight into the fight with the Mexican superstar. The bout will take place at 168 pounds, two weight classes above Crawford's recent win over Israil Madrimov at super-welterweight.
'Bud' Crawford has been on a tear lately. He became the undisputed welterweight champion with a statement win over Errol Spence Jr. Then, he moved up to super-welterweight and claimed a world title in his fourth weight class by beating Madrimov. These wins have cemented Crawford's place as one of the best fighters in the world.
Canelo, on the other hand, has been defending his belts at super-middleweight. He's got plans for a potential fight in May (Cinco De Mayo) against William Scull, aiming to become undisputed champion again after being stripped of his IBF belt.
Some folks worry that Crawford might be too small for the weight class. They've suggested he should take a bout at middleweight or 168 pounds to get used to the weight. But Crawford isn't worried.
He told Boxing Scene:
"People say, 'You're too small' or 'You're outmatched' or 'You don't belong in the ring with these types of fighters.' That's when great fighters perform their best."
Crawford also feels confident about his ability to handle the weight jump:
"I'm going to feel great [at 168]. I don't need to worry about the weight. I know I'm going to feel great. I've got a lot of things to prepare on. That's part of boxing – [meeting] milestones you've got to hit. We're going to be well prepared when that time comes."
The stage is set for an epic clash between two of boxing's biggest stars. Fans will have to wait until September to see if Crawford can overcome the size difference and pull off another stunning victory.
