A few months ago, former two-division undisputed champion Terence Crawford was struggling to convince the unified super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez to get into the ring with him. The Mexican superstar had brushed advances from Crawford, highlighting the lose-lose situation a fight against Crawford would put him in. However, today, things are different.

Canelo had previously suggested that if he beat Crawford, people would say he defeated a boxer from a lower weight class. And if he loses, people would say he is not good enough. In a recent interview, the former undisputed super-middleweight champion revealed what changed his mind. “You know, I can see people want to see that fight too. So I think it’s starting [to make] sense,” he said. However, it’s not just his outlook on the fight that has changed. According to his recent comments about Terence Crawford, Canelo’s view of ‘Bud’ has changed as well. Amid Crawford facing criticism about going up two divisions in weight to fight Canelo, a uniquely dangerous move, Canelo Alvarez surprisingly came to Crawford’s defense.

“Just look how much he’s accomplished and just look how much I accomplished,” Canelo told ESPN. “So imagine two fighters with those accomplishments. It’s huge. Huge. And I think that’s why I think now it makes sense for a lot of reasons. Everybody says he’s a smaller fighter, but I’ve won titles in four weight classes, so I know great fighters can succeed at higher weights.”

Regardless of what Canelo thinks about Crawford, he is currently scheduled to fight IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull, who has the opportunity to derail Canelo’s every plan. The pair will fight on May 3 at The Venue Riyadh Season, Riyadh, which will mark Canelo’s first fight in his four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.

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William Scull determined to ‘shut everybody up’ against Canelo Alvarez 

William Scull is confident he will shock the world when he faces Canelo Alvarez on May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The undefeated Cuban will put his IBF super-middleweight title on the line against the Mexican superstar, who seeks to regain undisputed status to make the Crawford fight even bigger. Despite being a massive underdog, Scull remains unfazed. “Look, I’m firm and secure in what I want to do. On May 3, I’m going to display my talents and I will shut everybody up. You’ll see,” he declared at Thursday’s press conference.

Alvarez is eyeing a mega-fight with Terence Crawford later this year but must first reclaim the IBF belt he vacated in 2023 to avoid a fight against Scull. Scull, however, is determined to spoil those plans. “I rely on my skills, I’m ready… and to give the fans a great fight,” he added. “This is going to be great for all of us.”

That said, it appears Canelo Alvarez wants to make the Terence Crawford fight the biggest of his career. If it takes hyping up Crawford, then be it! However, the question is, can Crawford transfer his success in lower-weight classes to the super-middleweight division?