The boxing world is reeling after Terence “Bud” Crawford unleashed a fiery reaction to the news that Canelo Alvarez has been training with Crawford’s long-time rival, Errol Spence Jr, ahead of a potential blockbuster fight later this year. Crawford, the undisputed welterweight champion with a perfect record of 40-0 (31 KOs), didn’t hold back, accusing the duo of “cheating” in a viral outburst on X that has sent shockwaves through the sport.

The drama unfolded after reports surfaced earlier this week that Canelo, the undisputed super-middleweight kingpin at 168 pounds, had invited Spence Jr to his training camp in San Diego to help prepare for a rumored fight against either Crawford or Jermall Charlo in late 2025. Spence Jr, who suffered a devastating knockout loss to Crawford in their July 2023 unification bout, has been working to rebuild his career at a higher weight class, making his collaboration with Canelo all the more surprising. The news caught Crawford off guard, and he wasted no time expressing his frustration.

“wtf! this is cheating,” Crawford wrote on X late last night, tagging both Canelo and Spence in the post. “Canelo knows I’m coming for him, and now he’s training with Errol to get all my secrets? That’s a coward move. I’ll beat both of them in the same night if I have to!” The post quickly amassed over 500,000 likes and sparked a heated debate among fans, with some accusing Crawford of overreacting, while others questioned the ethics of Canelo teaming up with Spence.

The tension between Crawford and Spence dates back to their 2023 showdown, where Crawford dominated Spence, knocking him down three times en route to a ninth-round TKO to claim the undisputed welterweight titles. Since then, Spence has moved up to 154 pounds and beyond, citing struggles with weight cuts, while Crawford has been vocal about his desire to move up to 168 pounds to challenge Canelo for his belts—a fight that boxing fans have been clamoring for since Crawford’s victory over Spence.
Canelo, who last fought in September 2024 with a unanimous decision win over Edgar Berlanga, has remained tight-lipped about his next opponent. However, sources close to his camp confirmed that Spence Jr has been brought in to help mimic Crawford’s southpaw style and relentless pressure in sparring sessions. “Canelo is leaving no stone unturned,” a source told BoxingScene. “Errol knows Crawford better than anyone in the ring, so it makes sense to bring him in to prepare for that kind of challenge.”
Crawford’s accusation of “cheating” has divided the boxing community. Former middleweight champion Andre Ward, speaking on his podcast The Pivot, defended Canelo’s decision. “This isn’t cheating—it’s smart preparation,” Ward said. “Canelo is doing what any elite fighter would do: using every resource available to get ready for a dangerous opponent like Crawford. Bud needs to stop whining and focus on his own camp.” On the other hand, Crawford’s trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, backed his fighter’s stance in an interview with FightHype, saying, “It’s a dirty move. Errol’s been in the ring with Bud, so he knows his tricks. Canelo’s scared, and this proves it.”
Fans on X have been quick to weigh in, with opinions split down the middle. “Crawford’s right—this is shady. Canelo and Spence teaming up feels like they’re ganging up on Bud,” one user wrote. Another countered, “Crawford’s just mad because he knows Canelo’s coming for him. Training with Spence is a genius move!” The controversy has only heightened anticipation for a potential Crawford-Canelo showdown, which could be one of the biggest fights in boxing history if it materializes.
Neither Canelo nor Spence has directly responded to Crawford’s comments, though Spence posted a cryptic emoji of a laughing face on Instagram Stories shortly after Crawford’s outburst, further fueling the drama. Meanwhile, Crawford doubled down in a follow-up video on X, vowing to “make Canelo pay” if they meet in the ring. “I don’t care who he trains with—I’m coming for that 168-pound belt, and I’m gonna show the world why I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter alive,” Crawford declared.
As the boxing world waits for Canelo to announce his next fight, one thing is clear: Terence Crawford’s fiery reaction has added a new layer of intensity to an already heated rivalry. Will Crawford get his shot at Canelo, and if so, can he overcome the Mexican superstar’s preparation with Spence? The drama is just beginning, and fans are on the edge of their seats. What do you think about this explosive controversy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!