Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford ‘agree date and venue’ for mega-fight
BOXING
Alvarez and Crawford are two of the biggest pound-for-pound stars in the sport and are coming to the later stages of their stellar careers in the squared circle.
Alvarez was in the UK and held positive discussions over a fight with Crawford
The Mexican is currently unified world champion at 168 lbs [super-middleweight], and was first called out by 'Bud' after his victory over Edgar Berlanga last year.
Crawford is currently WBA champion at 154 lbs [light-middleweight], but has made a vow to pile on 14l bs to make the huge showdown, which would likely be the biggest opportunity of his career.
Talks had not begun last week, with Crawford waiting patiently to see if Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh can lure Alvarez into a lucrative deal to secure the clash.
But the pair attended the Ring Magazine awards in London this weekend, and both held separate talks with the influential Alalshikh over a clash.
And a report from renowned ESPN Knockout journalist Julius Julianis has suggested the pair have already reached an agreement.
He claims that the pair are both set to meet in September in Las Vegas after the talks progressed quickly when overseen this weekend.
Alalshikh himself appeared to hint at exactly that, telling Ring Magazine: "The Ring is the Bible of Boxing, and we are close to seeing the white smoke on the horizon.
"2025 will be a crazy year for boxing and I mean it.”
Alalshikh had previously put talks on hold, having struggled to break an impasse with Alvarez on the potential fight.
But both fighters were seen posing with Alalshikh after talks, a sign that things had taken a step in the positive direction.
A showdown between the two gifted operators would be one of the most mouth-watering prospects in the sport currently.
It will also represent a huge commercial opportunity for both champions, who will likely earn huge paydays if they accept a meeting this year.
Crawford is now 37-years-old and has completed it all having reigned as a world champion at four weights, but is eyeing that money-spinning event that could see his legacy reach new heights.
Meanwhile potential challengers at 168 lbs are drying up for Alvarez, and the biggest name available would be the undefeated American, over whom he'd have a significant size advantage.
He spoke about the talks in a brief update, insisting that the door is now firmly open.
Alvarez said: “There's always a chance there. We’ll see, but there’s always a chance there.
"We're here to make the best deals, and there’s always the chance.
"Anything is possible."
It could be an uphill battle for Crawford who will give away physical advantages to Alvarez, and as a result will likely be made the favourite for victory.
'Bud' is coming to the closing stages of his career, and it could make a sensational final bow if he was to retire after the fight and become a five-weight king.
Alvarez was in the UK and held positive discussions over a fight with Crawford
The Mexican is currently unified world champion at 168 lbs [super-middleweight], and was first called out by 'Bud' after his victory over Edgar Berlanga last year.
Crawford is currently WBA champion at 154 lbs [light-middleweight], but has made a vow to pile on 14l bs to make the huge showdown, which would likely be the biggest opportunity of his career.
Talks had not begun last week, with Crawford waiting patiently to see if Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh can lure Alvarez into a lucrative deal to secure the clash.
But the pair attended the Ring Magazine awards in London this weekend, and both held separate talks with the influential Alalshikh over a clash.
And a report from renowned ESPN Knockout journalist Julius Julianis has suggested the pair have already reached an agreement.
He claims that the pair are both set to meet in September in Las Vegas after the talks progressed quickly when overseen this weekend.
Alalshikh himself appeared to hint at exactly that, telling Ring Magazine: "The Ring is the Bible of Boxing, and we are close to seeing the white smoke on the horizon.
"2025 will be a crazy year for boxing and I mean it.”
Alalshikh had previously put talks on hold, having struggled to break an impasse with Alvarez on the potential fight.
But both fighters were seen posing with Alalshikh after talks, a sign that things had taken a step in the positive direction.
A showdown between the two gifted operators would be one of the most mouth-watering prospects in the sport currently.
It will also represent a huge commercial opportunity for both champions, who will likely earn huge paydays if they accept a meeting this year.
Crawford is now 37-years-old and has completed it all having reigned as a world champion at four weights, but is eyeing that money-spinning event that could see his legacy reach new heights.
Meanwhile potential challengers at 168 lbs are drying up for Alvarez, and the biggest name available would be the undefeated American, over whom he'd have a significant size advantage.
He spoke about the talks in a brief update, insisting that the door is now firmly open.
Alvarez said: “There's always a chance there. We’ll see, but there’s always a chance there.
"We're here to make the best deals, and there’s always the chance.
"Anything is possible."
It could be an uphill battle for Crawford who will give away physical advantages to Alvarez, and as a result will likely be made the favourite for victory.
'Bud' is coming to the closing stages of his career, and it could make a sensational final bow if he was to retire after the fight and become a five-weight king.
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