Boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh looks to deliver a monumental showdown for pound-for-pound star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s next outing.
The super middleweight king comes off a routine defense of his titles against Edgar Berlanga, comprehensively outpointing the unproven contender after flooring him in the third round.
With this being his fifth unanimous decision victory on the bounce, though, fans have largely grown frustrated with the Mexican’s choice of opponents in recent years.
But now, Alalshikh has expressed his desire to develop a line of communication with Canelo Alvarez, hoping to build on their fractured relationship.
Turki Alalshikh wants to stage a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford
Talks of a potential clash between Canelo and four-division champion Terence Crawford have dominated boxing circles for several months.
Initially, Alalshikh approached Alvarez with a view to make an offer but, after realizing he would not be amenable to his demands, the Saudi boxing chief began to lose faith.
As a result, the pair have exchanged several jibes over social media, with Canelo being accused of swerving the sport’s most elite operators.
Crawford, meanwhile, has maintained his desire to face the 34-year-old, and is yet to target any other career-defining fights.
The 37-year-old comes off a close encounter with Israil Madrimov, seizing the Kazah’s WBA super welterweight strap following a highly contentious unanimous decision victory.
And yet, instead of calling out the two remaining champions at 154 lbs, Crawford has set his sights firmly on Canelo before calling it quits on his decorated career.
Alalshikh, too, is still keen on the potential spectacle, wishing to improve his communication with Alvarez.
“I don’t know anyone now from the Canelo team, and I don’t have any connection, but if he’s hearing me, we are ready to discuss,” Alalshikh told DAZN. “But I want to discuss [with] him directly, without anyone in the middle.”
Could Canelo Alvarez face the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2?
One alternative option that could pique Canelo’s interest is a shot at the winner of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s undisputed light heavyweight rematch on February 22.
The future Hall of Famer suffered his second professional defeat at the hands of Bivol back in 2022, finding himself on the receiving end of a 12-round boxing clinic.
And so, the opportunity to exact revenge – or perhaps even test himself against one of the sport’s hardest punchers – could take priority over the Crawford fight.