BOXING
Boxing

Canelo Alvarez to fight Crawford in May... and finish him off, they say

Canelo's power, youth and durability were cited as reasons he could beat Terence Crawford

Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Alvarez will take on Terence 'Bud' Crawford in 2025 according to the Vergil Ortiz Jr.'s trainer, who sends a firm warning that the 34-year-old from Mexico will sent the American off into retirement.

Robert Garcia points to the younger age of his client as well as their natural size difference, pointing out that Canelo doesn't have an easy weakness to target such as a soft chin, part of why he's only ever been beaten twice and has never been stopped as a professional.

But the man from Guadalajara is still worth the risk because of the sheer financial power he brings, especially with the Saudi Arabian Turki Alalshikh throwing the backing of the Middle Eastern nation into the hat too.

It's for this reason that he expects the 37-year-old to skip over a chance to take the young-and- Virgil Ortiz Jr. to take on Canelo in a fight that would secure his bank for life with his legacy as a multi-weight champion already in the bag.

"We would take the fight right away. It's not an easy fight. Crawford is a great fighter, pound-for-pound first, second or third," Garcia told Fighthype on behalf of Ortiz Jr. ""He's already 37, looking for the biggest payday.

"I think he's looking at a fight against Canelo, where it would triple the money he could make against Vergil. So, he's just playing it smart.

"I don't blame him. He's already 37 and looking at the best fights out there for him when it comes to finances."

When could Canelo take on Crawford?

Crawford is not getting any younger and could already be slowing down based on his performance against Israil Madrimov on August 3 at 154lbs, around 14lbs lighter than what he would be expected to weigh to face Canelo.

It's for this reason that Garcia thinks the fight could be made very soon in order to use the last of his legs to sail off into the distance on a boxing, or financial, high as he prepares to turn 38 years old.

"What I hear is it [Canelo-Crawford] may happen by May," Garcia continued. "I think Crawford is one of the best fighters out there, but he is up there in age.

"We won't know until he fights again. There is that chance [retirement]. It happens in boxing."

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