Boxing fans worldwide are buzzing after Terence Crawford publicly expressed his desire to face Canelo Alvarez following the Mexican champion’s massive deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season. With Canelo signing a four-fight agreement that will keep him active through 2026, the boxing world is eagerly anticipating who will step into the ring with him first—and Crawford is making his case loud and clear.
Canelo Alvarez’s Game-Changing Deal with Riyadh Season
Canelo Alvarez, boxing’s biggest active star, recently inked a groundbreaking four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season. The agreement, spearheaded by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, guarantees Canelo high-profile fights in one of boxing’s fastest-growing markets.
The deal will reportedly see Canelo fight twice in 2025 and twice more in 2026, marking a new era in his already legendary career. Saudi Arabia has recently emerged as a powerhouse in hosting boxing’s most significant events, including Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou and the anticipated Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight title clash.
With this move, Canelo is set to become a major attraction in Saudi Arabia, but the biggest question remains: who will be his first opponent under the new contract?
Terence Crawford’s Challenge: “I’m Waiting on Canelo”
Following the announcement of Canelo’s deal, Terence “Bud” Crawford wasted no time in making his intentions clear. The undefeated, two-division undisputed champion took to social media, declaring:
“I’m waiting on Canelo in September and going to shock the world in Riyadh Season!”
Crawford’s call-out instantly fueled speculation about a potential mega fight between the two stars. This isn’t the first time Crawford has shown interest in moving up to super middleweight to face Canelo, but with the Saudi-backed deal now in place, the fight seems more possible than ever.
A fight between Canelo and Crawford would be a historic clash between two of boxing’s most skilled pound-for-pound fighters. However, there are significant hurdles to making the fight happen.
Weight Class and Contractual Challenges
One of the biggest obstacles to a Canelo vs. Crawford showdown is the weight difference. Canelo fights at 168 pounds (super middleweight), while Crawford is naturally much lighter, having become undisputed champion at 140 pounds (junior welterweight) before moving up to 147 pounds (welterweight).
To take the fight, Crawford would need to jump up two full weight classes, a daunting challenge even for a fighter of his caliber. Despite this, Crawford has remained confident that he can compete at 168 pounds, especially given his technical skills and defensive mastery.
However, another complicating factor is Canelo’s list of potential opponents. Rumors have suggested that Canelo could face Jake Paul in May, a move that would likely delay any potential fight with Crawford until later in 2025. Additionally, David Benavidez, widely regarded as one of Canelo’s toughest potential challengers, is still in the mix for a fight.
What Are the Chances of Canelo vs. Crawford Happening?
While nothing is confirmed, Crawford’s public call-out of Canelo signals serious interest in making the fight happen. The appeal is undeniable: two undisputed champions, both considered among the best fighters of their generation, meeting on a grand stage in Saudi Arabia.
For Canelo, a fight with Crawford could further cement his legacy, as he would be facing one of the slickest and most technically gifted fighters in the sport. For Crawford, moving up in weight and dethroning Canelo would be one of the most extraordinary feats in boxing history.
However, boxing politics, contract negotiations, and scheduling conflicts could all impact whether this dream fight becomes a reality.
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