The highly anticipated clash between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez was one of the biggest events in boxing history, drawing global attention and dominating U.S. headlines. It was a very high-stakes bout as both men came in with incredible legacies that they were putting on the line.
Crawford walked away victorious, largely dominating Canelo, who did not seem to get out of second gear. The outcome of the fight left boxing fans with no questions about what is next for both men. For Crawford, the victory cemented his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time, and for Canelo, the loss highlights a potential passing of the guard as he looks to be entering the twilight of his career.
Sports audiences today often consume different forms of entertainment side by side, whether it is streaming a fight while following live statistics, or exploring live casino games on a range of different platforms. In this case, the drama in the ring captivated audiences and brought boxing to the forefront of mainstream culture.
Crawford’s Defining Moment
For years, Crawford has been considered to be one of the best boxers in the modern era and one of the most technically gifted in sports history. The victory over Canelo did much more than place him at the top of the current pound-for-pound discussion; the win has entered Crawford’s name into the greatest of all time debate, with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. His ability to move up in weight and dominate a much bigger fighter with his distance control was incredible to watch.
Crawford’s marketability as a fighter was solidified, too, which has opened the door to many other superfights. Now a three-weight world champion, Crawford has many options for his next bout; he could look to stay at 168 lbs, or he could drop back down and look to defend one of his many titles. Whatever route Crawford chooses, his legacy is now secure, and fans will be eager to see how he can follow up this career-defining win.
Who’s Next for Crawford?
One immediate option that stands out for Crawford is a matchup against David Benavidez, a fighter who has long been linked to a fight with Canelo. Now that Crawford is the man at the top, it is safe to say that Benavidez has his sights set on the new champion, and the Canelo fight is in the past for now. Benavidez provides a new challenge that we have yet to see Crawford take on, with this size and stature being much bigger than Crawford’s. Another intriguing option is for Crawford to finally settle his grudge with Jermall Charlo; the two have been poised to fight one another for a long time, but it has never come to fruition. Maybe now is the time.
Crawford could also look at potential big international matchups, with fighters like Jaime Munguia or Dmitry Bivol. If negotiations could be made, we could see Crawford conquer the international stage next. All these options offer intriguing matchups for Crawford that would allow him to keep adding to his already incredible resume of opponents.
Crossroads for Canelo
For Canelo Alvarez, the loss to Crawford has in no way ended his career, but it has highlighted a potential turning point for the former champion. For over a decade, Canelo has been at the top of the boxing world, and he has faced the best in every division he’s fought in. However, the losses to Crawford and Bivol have raised questions about whether Canelo is finished at the elite level of boxing and whether his prime years are behind him.
Despite the loss, Canelo is still a major draw in the sport, and his ability to bring in both a massive crowd and large viewer counts means that there will still be plenty of big opportunities for him in his next fight. The big question is, will he continue to hunt for titles and legacy victories, or will he pick out the biggest payday fights to see off his career?
Canelo’s Next Steps
Some fans have called for a trilogy fight with previous rival Gennadiy Golovkin, but given Golovkin’s age, this seems very unlikely. If Canelo still wants to fight the elite names in boxing, then a possible fight with David Benavidez could be next. The two have been linked to fight for a long time, and a matchup would sell a significant amount of pay-per-views. Canelo could also entertain dropping down in weight and exploring what potential matchups there are.
A homecoming fight in Mexico could also be next for Canelo; this might mean a fight that is less about legacy and more about connecting with the fans of his home country. This would provide the opportunity to celebrate Canelo’s career and all of his incredible achievements within the sport. Regardless of his decision, Canelo’s name is still at the forefront of the sport, and his legacy will go down in history as one of the greatest.
