Canelo Alvarez has been ruling over the super middleweight division as the undisputed champion since November 6, 2021, when he stopped then-IBF champion Caleb Plant in the eleventh round. However, his reign might be coming to an end as he plans to vacate the International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt, losing his undisputed status. Why?

Well, previously the sanctioning body had ordered Canelo Alvarez to participate in a June 6 purse bid at IBF’s office in New Jersey. The fight is supposed to be against IBF’s mandatory challenger for the belt, William Scull from Cuba. However, as things are, it doesn’t look like Canelo Alvarez is willing to face off against Scull.

After his victory over Jaime Munguia on May 4th, Alvarez finds himself at a crossroads with a multitude of potential opponents vying for his attention. However, navigating the demands of various sanctioning bodies adds another layer of complexity to his decision-making process. IBF President Daryl Peoples is unwavering in his insistence that Canelo must either face Scull or risk losing his belt due to mandatory obligations. On the other hand, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza is advocating for Canelo to take on their mandatory challenger, Brooklyn’s Edgar Berlanga, expressing confidence in Berlanga’s readiness for the spotlight. With both options presenting unique challenges, Canelo’s next move will undoubtedly dictate his future.

Yet, if the latest chatter is to be believed, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is planning a mega showdown involving Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez. Great news for both, as Crawford will get his much desired fight, and Canelo will get a crazy payday that he is after. However, here’s the kicker.

Canelo finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place: if he opts to face anyone other than the IBF’s mandatory contender, he risks being stripped of his titles and losing his undisputed status. It’s a precarious situation where either choice leads to losing his belt and the coveted undisputed status. However, how likely is the Crawford-Canelo fight? Has HE Turki Alalshikh said something?

Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: Alalshikh’s thoughts

The head of boxing in Saudi Arabia has made some of the biggest fights in recent history, which previously seemed nearly impossible. The best example would be the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury fight earlier this month. Thanks to the Saudi royal, the world now has a new undisputed heavyweight champion. 

As for the Canelo-Crawford fight, he had previously suggested how it was a dream fight and has even floated around the idea of a USA vs. Mexico 5 vs. 5 event. So, a fan addressed His Excellency with a potential lineup headlined by Canelo and Crawford. To this, the Saudi Royal responded with three emojis (One sunglasses face, one shrugging man, and one boxing glove).

With Canelo Alvarez presented with a difficult decision to make, it’s yet to be seen which option he will choose. However, no one can deny that the idea of Canelo vs. Crawford is extremely exciting. Which fight are you cheering for?