Canelo Alvarez recently expressed his dissatisfaction with Turki Alalshikh’s comments regarding a potential fight between him and Terence Crawford. Turki had suggested the matchup, but Canelo felt that it was not the right time or opponent for him. In addition, Canelo was upset about Turki’s decision to schedule a UFC event on the same night as his upcoming match against Edgar Berlanga, coinciding with Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Las Vegas.
Many boxing enthusiasts believed that Canelo’s ideal opponent for the September 14th match would have been David Benavidez. However, Benavidez’s reluctance to face Canelo at this time has left many disappointed. Canelo himself voiced his frustration, stating that Turki should respect his way of doing things when it comes to negotiating fight matchups. The confrontation between Canelo and Berlanga has generated significant interest on social media, hinting at a potentially lucrative Pay-Per-View event on PBC on Prime Video and DAZN.
Despite the offer from Turki Alalshikh for a fight against Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez remains focused on his upcoming bout against Edgar Berlanga. Canelo made it clear that Crawford is not a priority for him, especially considering Crawford’s recent performance against Israil Madrimov. Canelo remarked that Crawford appeared undersized and lacking in dominance during his last fight, making him an unsuitable opponent for a matchup with Canelo at 168 pounds.
Turki’s Change of Heart
Following the backlash from fans and Canelo himself, Turki Alalshikh backtracked on his offer for a fight between Crawford and Canelo. Turki acknowledged that Crawford’s skill set and physical attributes are better suited for fights at the 154 or 147-pound weight classes, suggesting that he should focus on opponents like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis instead. This shift in perspective aligns with the sentiments shared by boxing enthusiasts and Canelo, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate opponents for each fighter’s skill set and weight class.