Boxing figure Eddie Hearn expresses reservations about a potential second clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, following Canelo’s defeat on September 13th. He suggests that Crawford (42 wins, 0 losses, 31 by knockout) would again triumph, with the outcome mirroring their initial encounter.
A Second Bout? Doubts Arise
Canelo (63 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, 39 by knockout) has yet to reveal his preferred opponent for the remaining bouts under his agreement with Turki Alalshikh. While a Crawford rematch could bring substantial earnings, Canelo, already possessing an estimated fortune of $300 million, may not prioritize additional income if it entails another likely defeat.
“My understanding is that a rematch provision exists, likely with specific conditions, as Canelo typically includes such clauses in his fight agreements,” Eddie Hearn mentioned to Fight Hub TV, regarding the possibility of Canelo Alvarez facing Terence Crawford again.
While Canelo likely has a rematch option, the significant setback he experienced in his loss to Crawford on September 13th might deter him from pursuing a second match.
Alvarez has historically been strategic in selecting his opponents. He values his reputation and opted against fighting David Benavidez or seeking a rematch after his loss to Dmitry Bivol. It’s improbable that Canelo will re-engage with Terence, despite the potential for significant financial gain.
Crawford’s Approach: A Recurring Challenge for Canelo
“Terence Crawford simply doesn’t align well as an opponent for him. His style and movement are problematic,” Hearn stated. “Prior to their fight, I anticipated Crawford winning due to his fighting style. Canelo was aware of the challenges it presented.”
Turki’s Substantial Investment Yields Disappointing Returns
The considerable sum offered by Turki Alalshikh to Canelo for fighting Crawford likely influenced Canelo’s decision to accept the fight. Despite knowing the potential challenges, the $150 million payout made it worthwhile. Turki appears hesitant to organize a second match, perhaps recognizing that the initial fight did not meet fan expectations, falling short of a $200 million-caliber performance from either Alvarez or Crawford.
The fight’s quality resembled that of bouts involving fighters earning significantly less. Indeed, preliminary matches often provided more excitement than the Canelo-Crawford fight. A primary reason for Turki’s reluctance towards a rematch could be that the viewership numbers on Netflix paled in comparison to Jake Paul’s match against Mike Tyson.
Forty-one million viewers watched the Canelo-Crawford event on Netflix. In contrast, 108 million tuned in to see Jake Paul fight 59-year-old Mike Tyson on Netflix. If Jake’s exhibition match against Gervonta Davis on November 14th draws larger numbers than Canelo vs. Crawford, that would solidify the decision against a rematch.
Benavidez and Jake Paul: Potentially More Favorable Choices
There would be little justification for Turki to invest further in a fight that doesn’t generate fan enthusiasm. Selecting Crawford as Canelo’s opponent, instead of David Benavidez or Jake Paul, was a questionable decision from the outset.
“Canelo struggles against opponents with agile movement, similar to Scull and Crawford. The most lucrative fight for him would be a rematch with Crawford, but I doubt he will pursue it,” Hearn commented.
Canelo has historically struggled against fighters who prioritize movement as a key strategy, as seen with Crawford and William Scull. Alvarez would be better served by focusing on opponents who are less mobile for his remaining fights under his contract with Riyadh Season, rather than facing Crawford again and dealing with his movement-based tactics.
Jeepers Isaac has been covering boxing since 2020, bringing readers sharp ringside insights and timely analysis on the sport’s biggest moments.
