Canelo vs. Crawford Super-Fight Called Off—What Happened?
Earlier this week, the boxing world was filled with excitement as reports emerged that Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) and Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) had agreed to a historic showdown in September. The potential fight between two of boxing’s pound-for-pound greats was expected to be one of the biggest events of the year. However, in a shocking turn of events, it has now been revealed that negotiations have collapsed, and the fight will no longer take place.
Why Was Canelo vs. Crawford Canceled?
Crawford, one of the few fighters in history to become an undisputed champion in multiple weight classes, had been vocal about his desire to move up to 168 lbs to challenge Canelo for his unified super-middleweight titles. This move would have required him to jump three weight divisions, a challenge never before attempted by an active four-belt undisputed champion.
Last year, Crawford took a step closer to that goal by moving up to super-welterweight, where he won the WBA title at 154 lbs. Despite his willingness to take on the challenge, Canelo had remained hesitant, famously demanding $150 million for the fight. The Mexican superstar saw little benefit in facing Crawford, believing that the fight offered him more risk than reward.
Despite these obstacles, it was reported earlier this week that a deal had finally been agreed upon, with the fight scheduled to take place in Las Vegas this September. However, just days after the initial reports, The Ring has confirmed that the fight is now off.
Speculation Surrounding Canelo’s Next Move
With Canelo vs. Crawford officially off the table, attention has shifted to what is next for the undisputed super-middleweight champion. Reports suggest that Canelo could fight Jake Paul in May, a matchup that would generate significant financial interest but also draw criticism from boxing purists.
Canelo is still expected to fight twice in 2025, and his next opponent could be one of the following:
- William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) – The undefeated IBF super-middleweight champion has been mentioned as a potential challenger.
- Jake Paul – A controversial option, but one that would guarantee a massive payday and global attention.
If Canelo chooses to fight Paul, it could delay a showdown with a legitimate boxing contender until later in the year.
What’s Next for Terence Crawford?
For Crawford, the focus may now shift toward making history in another way. The former undisputed lightweight and welterweight champion has the chance to become the first fighter to win undisputed titles in three different weight classes. To do so, he would need to target the current champions at super-welterweight:
- Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 13 KOs) – The current WBC and WBO super-welterweight champion.
- Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) – The IBF super-welterweight champion and an undefeated contender.
By defeating both Fundora and Murtazaliev, Crawford would achieve a feat never before accomplished in the four-belt era.
Final Thoughts
The cancellation of Canelo vs. Crawford is a disappointment for boxing fans, as it was set to be one of the most significant matchups in recent history. However, both fighters remain on different paths to greatness. Canelo may still have major fights lined up, while Crawford has the opportunity to further cement his legacy by becoming a three-weight undisputed champion.
As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether Canelo chooses to face a top contender or takes the more lucrative but controversial route of fighting Jake Paul. Meanwhile, Crawford’s next move will determine if he can make history once again.
