Canelo Alvarez reacts as Terence Crawford ordered to face 6ft 6ins giant in huge unification clash next

08/29/2024 04:05 AM

Canelo Alvarez insists he can still fight Terence Crawford despite the WBO ordering his rival’s next fight.

Crawford moved up to 154lbs where he edged Israil Madrimov on points to become a four-weight world champion, which appeared to set up a clash with Alvarez.

The unprecedented mega-fight appeared to be on the back burner for now with the Mexican unwilling to negotiate until after his showdown with Edgar Berlanga next month.

And in a fresh stumbling block to the clash, the WBO have now ordered Crawford to face 6ft 6ins giant Sebastien Fundora.

It appears to be another obstacle to any fight between the pair, but Alvarez has since reacted positively despite the order.

He told Boxing Scene when asked if a fight between the pair was now dead: “I don't think so.

“I'm not saying that fight can't happen. That order doesn't matter."

Fundora could pose a significant challenge given his height and size, which would see him stand 9 inches taller than 5ft 8ins Crawford.

It would be a clash for his WBA belt, with the WBO and WBC belt held by Fundora also on the line in a high-stakes unification clash.

But the ‘Towering Inferno’s’ promoter Sampson Lewkowicz is not confident that Crawford will entertain the bout.

"I'm waiting on an offer now, and I'm certain one will not come until after the 14th,” he said.

“I'd like to find out right now if [Crawford's] going to fight for the money or the titles. I believe he wants the money.

"Crawford will do everything he can to fight Canelo, and [his team] will not call me until after the fight.

"Crawford is 37 years old, and Sebastian Fundora will kick his f*****g a*s.”

‘Bud’ has achieved it all in the sport, and was expected to simply hold out and wait for a shot at Alvarez in 2025.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh wanted to stage the clash, but talks have stalled for now until after Alvarez’s next title defence.

But he has since re-opened the door insisting offers will be on the table if both fighters want to make it happen in the future.

He said: "We were talking with Canelo for a long time, around four months to do a big fight with him.

“What bothered me was when he announced that he respects me but he doesn't like what Riyadh Season is doing to boxing.

"We want to do the big fights. My door is open to all the fighters, so let's see, he sent to me an indirect message that he wants to connect after the fight, but I don't know if this is a real message or not.

“It is nothing personal it is business. I'd like to see the fight against Crawford, I'd like to see the fight against Benavidez."