“It Needs to Be My Way”: Canelo Alvarez Fires Back at Turki Alalshikh, Supports Teofimo Lopez for Terence Crawford Fight
In a dramatic turn of events, Canelo Alvarez has made it clear that his path forward in boxing will not be dictated by external pressures or grandiose plans from promoters. Alvarez, the 34-year-old Mexican boxing sensation, has unequivocally stated that he is not interested in a potential clash with Terence Crawford, favoring instead that the opportunity go to Teofimo Lopez. His comments, delivered with a blend of firmness and respect, have ignited a fresh wave of discussion in the boxing community.
He said, “I’m not asking for that fight. I think Teofimo Lopez deserves it more than me. My response to Turki is this – yesterday they text me to talk about the Crawford fight in February and I said, ‘I’m not gonna talk about any other fight. I’m focused 100% on this [Edgar Berlanga] fight.’ I respect Turki. But if he wants to work with me, it needs to be my way.”
Canelo’s Defiant Stand
The current focus for Alvarez is his imminent fight against the rising star Edgar Berlanga on September 14. Despite the hype surrounding a possible bout with Crawford, promoted by HE Turki Alalshikh, Alvarez has made his position abundantly clear. “I’m not asking for that fight. I think Teofimo Lopez deserves it more than me,” Alvarez stated in a recent conversation with PPV.com. He continued, “Yesterday, they texted me to talk about the Crawford fight in February, and I said, ‘I’m not gonna talk about any other fight. I’m focused 100% on this [Edgar Berlanga] fight.’ I respect Turki. But if he wants to work with me, it needs to be my way.”
This declaration underscores Alvarez’s desire to control his own career trajectory and ensure that his focus remains on his current opponents, rather than being swayed by speculative matchups or promotional pressures. The Mexican champion’s insistence on prioritizing Berlanga has sparked a debate about the best path forward for all parties involved.
His post read, “I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore. Instead, I will be focusing for the US market with bigger fights, especially for the legend Crawford.”
The Battle for the Spotlight
Lopez, 27, has emerged as a strong candidate for a high-profile fight against Crawford. His brash persona and impressive record make him a compelling choice, especially given the tantalizing prospect of a showdown between two champions. With a record of 19-1, Lopez’s skills and charisma have earned him a significant following, and he has publicly expressed his desire to face Crawford. This potential matchup, highlighting the fierce competition in the super lightweight division, has garnered considerable attention.
Conversely, Crawford, the undefeated WBO welterweight champion with a pristine 41-0 record, would face significant challenges in moving up two weight classes to fight Alvarez. The logistical and physical hurdles involved in such a transition have raised questions about the feasibility of this bout, adding to the complexity of planning.
Turki Alalshikh’s Shift in Focus
The pushback from Alvarez has evidently caused ripples in the plans of HE Turki Alalshikh, who has now decided to move forward without Alvarez. Alalshikh took to social media to announce his revised strategy, stating, “I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore. Instead, I will be focusing on the US market with bigger fights, especially for the legend Crawford.” This pivot reflects the challenges of navigating high-profile boxing promotions and the shifting dynamics of fighter negotiations.
Looking Ahead
As Alvarez remains focused on his upcoming bout with Berlanga, the boxing world watches closely to see how the shifting plans will impact Crawford’s future. The aging Crawford faces a critical juncture in his career, with limited opportunities left to solidify his legacy. Whether he will target other champions in the 154-pound division or seek out a significant fight remains to be seen.
Editor’s Note:
The drama surrounding Alvarez’s comments and the subsequent adjustments by Alalshikh illustrate the complexities and unpredictability of boxing promotions. With Alvarez’s clear stance on his career path and the reshuffling of plans for Crawford, the coming months promise to be eventful. Fans and analysts alike are left to ponder the next moves in this high-stakes game of boxing chess.
