Newly-crowned undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford is willing to move up three weight classes to super middleweight for a mega fight with Canelo Alvarez. The boxer fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska, now has all the belts at 147 pounds since stopping Errol Spence Jr.
Crawford, 35, has previously seen suggestions about making a fight work with a catchweight of either 158 or 160 pounds instantly shut down by Alvarez. The undisputed champion at 168 pounds claims that his body can no longer drop down from that weight.
Rather than meeting somewhere near the middle, Crawford is open to piling on the pounds instead; the Southpaw fighter started his career down at lightweight (135 pounds).
Opponents moving up in weight classes to face Alvarez is nothing new. His next fight with Jermell Charlo will see the undisputed super welterweight champion step up two divisions to make it happen.
Addressing his recent achievements and future endeavors on the “Joe Rogan Experience,” Crawford talked about potential bouts against both of them depending on the Sept. 30 victor. “It’s greatness. This is my era, and I’m taking it. Ain’t nobody gonna stop me,” he said.
“Now that I’ve switched gears, I know I wanted to fight Jermell, but if he loses to Canelo — I’ve always said that’s a big step. That’s a big step, but for a person to go up three weight classes from 147 to 168 [pounds] and to win and to become undisputed … wow. What can they say?”
The conversation continued: “Three-time undisputed champion and the smaller fighter that went up three weight divisions to conquer one of the baddest men — besides himself — that’s been doing it for probably longer than me.”
Crawford was conclusive when asked what weight it would be: “168. If [Alvarez] wins. Or Charlo. The winner. I think that’s the biggest fight in boxing. If [Alvarez] beats Jermell, Terence Crawford-Canelo is the biggest fight in boxing, hands down. I want to be three-time undisputed.”
The 40-0 fighter is similarly unfazed about jumping divisions, either. “I would definitely have to gain weight. I just believe in my abilities. Canelo’s not a big guy; he’s 5-[foot]-8. He’s muscular, but as far as height, nah.
“That wouldn’t be nothing that… We’d have to see. I think it could happen. To be honest, I think that’s the biggest fight in boxing if he beat Charlo.
“I’m ready now. People think it’s all about weight, but I think it’s skill. I’ve got the power to make anybody respect me, I don’t care what your weight is.”
After overcoming Spence Jr., Crawford is, across the board, considered the top pound-for-pound boxer. That is a position that Canelo has previously found himself in.
But he currently finds himself around fourth in the rankings. However, a win over Charlo could see him rise before a potential Crawford bout.