Since crushing Errol Spence Jr. to become the first undisputed champion in two divisions, Terence Crawford has expressed his desire to build a legacy, part of which involves facing and defeating the undisputed 168-pound champion, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, in a potentially epic bout.

However, commercial commitments and Alvarez’s personal interests prevented this fight from materializing in September, as he easily defeated a weak Jermall Charlo instead. Canelo claimed it wasn’t the right time to fight Crawford, but according to ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez, that moment may come in the fall, after facing Jermall Charlo in May.

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Meanwhile, this is still speculative, as there’s no official confirmation, and Crawford is one of several fighters vying for an opportunity. To increase pressure for the fight, ‘Bud’ posted a message on his X account confirming his willingness to fight and asserting that he’s the best option.

“Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez is the biggest fight in boxing right now. Like it or not it’s just facts,” Crawford wrote.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith responded skeptically to Crawford‘s assertion, cautioning against false hopes.

Recently, this potential fight sparked a heated discussion on ESPN’s First Take, as an eagerly awaited, evenly matched bout between Canelo and WBC mandatory challenger David Benavidez, organized by PBC, has been anticipated since June.

However, the Mexican champion refuses to face Mexican challengers, even though both Benavidez and Jaime Munguia have proven themselves worthy of a spectacular fight, while Crawford would need to move up in weight.

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Regardless, Canelo chose neither, opting instead for a straightforward match against Charlo. Concerning Crawford, although he’s a spectacular fighter, experts believe the weight difference would be too much for him.

Oscar De La Hoya demands an opportunity for Munguia

Amidst these speculations, promoter Oscar De La Hoya seized the opportunity to challenge Canelo on a fight against his client, Munguia, who recently demolished Englishman John Ryder.

During a press conference last Saturday, De La Hoya stated that Canelo must defend his belts against the fighter from Tijuana, Mexico, or else he cannot claim to be the ‘King of the super middleweights’.

He insisted the fight should take place on the weekend of September 16, Mexico’s National Day. It has to be noted that De La Hoya didn’t end his relationship with Canelo amicably, potentially complicating negotiations.

UPDATE ;Keyshawn Davis Accuses Canelo Alvarez of Making “Excuses” to Not Fight Terence Crawford

By agreeing to face Charlo and Crawford, Canelo Alvarez would have avoided two more undefeated younger Mexicans: Munguia (43-0, 34 KO) and Benavidez (28-0, 24 KO).

Canelo Alvarez has ruled out a fight with Terence Crawford.

‘Bud’ has been loudly calling for an eagerly anticipated clash with Canelo since knocking out Errol Spence to become the undisputed welterweight champion in July 2023.

Fans have been talking up the potential meeting between two of boxing’s pound-for-pound best, despite the fact the super middleweight king is almost 20lbs heavier than Crawford.

Canelo recently revealed his next fight will take place on May 4 in Las Vegas.

The 33-year-old didn’t say who his opponent was but did claim it would be an American, leaving the door open for a potential scrap with Crawford.

However, he has now distanced himself from the fight entirely.

“No,” Canelo said when Box Azteca asked if he would fight Crawford.

Canelo’s interviewer pointed out that the Mexican superstar could make a lot of money by taking the fight, but he doesn’t think Crawford is worth the hassle.

He said: “Yes, but they’re going to criticise me… and that’s it, they love it.

“They criticised me because I fought [Jermell] Charlo who gained weight, who is bigger than me, because I’m a small fighter for these weights, and because he gained weight, but they didn’t criticise him when I went up in weight.

“So now if you imagine Crawford as a welterweight. 168lbs, I have everything to lose and nothing to gain because if I win, they’ll say, ‘Oh, he was too small, and everything!”

Jermall Charlo, the twin brother of Canelo’s most recent opponent, appears to be the frontrunner to face him next, but he has given mixed messages about the bout so far.

He recently took to his Instagram story where he shared a picture of the four-weight champion, with the caption reading: “Canelo fighting Jermall Charlo May 4.”

Speaking to the camera while out on the sea, unbeaten Charlo, who outpointed Jose Benavidez Jr in November, told his fans: “I haven’t even talked to [manager] Al Haymon since I last fought.

“So everybody that keeps talking about, ‘Oh you’re about to fight Canelo,’ – ain’t no confirmation. I’m in the islands somewhere! You’ve got to chill out.”

He then insisted: “Until it’s official, it’s official. I offered. I said I would do whatever I gotta do. We was on the jet skis, I stopped for this.”

Especially after Alvarez ruled out Crawford as a potential opponent.