Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford have been on a tumultuous collision course towards a potential blockbuster clash since their bewildering contest was first mooted.
As it happens, it is only Terence Crawford who has expressed an interest in Alvarez’s fight, with Canelo Alvarez seemingly distancing himself from the American.
In order to face the four-weight world champion, though, Crawford would be compelled to move up two divisions, putting on an extra 14 lbs in the process.
For Mike Tyson, the weight difference represents a formidable challenge for ‘Bud’, who became a four-division world champion after outpointing Israil Madrimov in his last outing.
Mike Tyson dismisses Terence Crawford’s chances against Canelo Alvarez
Canelo comes off a dominant display over pulsating puncher Edgar Berlanga, retaining his three super middleweight world titles after securing a unanimous decision victory.
Prior to the fight, a large portion of the boxing fraternity were suggesting that the 34-year-old could be on the slide, and that the timing could not be better for Crawford.
However, in light of their recent performances, Tyson is convinced that Canelo would be too much for the 36-year-old.
“I don’t like that fight,” he told the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast. “It’s just too much weight. And [Crawford] had a close fight with the last guy [Madrimov] he fought because this guy was big, and he was awkward. He was really awkward.
“He shouldn’t have fought that guy. He should have fought a guy that would’ve come straight at him. The guy was too awkward. He was hurt.”
Canelo Alvarez to rematch Dmitry Bivol instead?
While Crawford remains hopeful that a career-defining collision with Canelo could still materialize, the Mexican star is likely to explore other options.
Back in 2022, Alvarez suffered his second professional defeat against light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol, who cruised his way to a convincing 12-round victory.
Now, Bivol is gearing up for his undisputed title fight with ferocious banger Artur Beterbiev on October 12, an encounter that boxing fans have long been clamoring for.
Nevertheless, Canelo has called for a rematch with the Russian since his win over Berlanga, hoping to exact revenge on one of the few men who have – alongside Floyed Mayweather – blemished his scintillating resume.