A showdown between pound-for-pound rivals Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford had been generating buzz as an epic, though perhaps unnecessary, event. Both fighters were eager to stake their claim as the best in the world, but for various reasons, the fight seemed unlikely to happen.
However, despite Crawford being lined up for a different bout, Canelo has reassured fans that a fight with ‘Bud’ is still possible.
There were rumors that Canelo might face Crawford at the end of the year, but with Crawford fighting in divisions lower than his own, Canelo wanted a financial incentive to make the fight worthwhile. Feeling like he wasn’t being offered a fair deal, Saudi promoter Turki Al-Alshikh backed out and blamed Alvarez for the event falling through.
Crawford instead made his super-welterweight debut against Israil Madrimov, narrowly winning a unanimous decision to claim the WBA 154lb title. Despite his victory, the close nature of the fight led many fans to believe that Canelo was simply too big and strong for Crawford.
In the competitive super-welterweight division, Crawford faces several challenges as he aims to become the first three-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era. The WBO has now confirmed that Crawford, the new WBA titleholder, has been ordered to face Sebastian Fundora in a three-belt unification bout.
“Please be advised that the parties herein have thirty (30) days upon issuance of this notice to negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Jr. Middleweight Mandatory Championship Contest.
“If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.
“Furthermore, if a purse bid ceremony for the Crawford/Fundora bout is called, Section 14(e)(1)(2) of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests triggers and governs proceedings per Terence Crawford’s “WBO Super Champion” status (“Rights and Privileges, not a title”), with the rights conferred by such provision.”
Despite the WBO’s ruling, Canelo Alvarez has now told Boxing Scene that a fight with Crawford is still on the table.
“I don’t think so [that the WBO order will get in the way of Canelo-Crawford]. I’m not saying that fight can’t happen. That order doesn’t matter.”
