David Morrell says a possible combat between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is a “Faux” one, completed only for “enterprise” functions.
The Canelo-Crawford combat nonetheless hasn’t been made, however His Excellency Turki Alalshikh talked about in an interview that Crawford is out with an damage till Could 2025. That’s clearly when Canelo will combat subsequent. Turki will attempt to put that combat collectively.
Morrell doesn’t like the thought of Canelo defending in opposition to one other 154-pounder. He fought 4 unified junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo at 168 on September 30, 2023, and it was not a aggressive matchup. Jermell is larger and stronger than Crawford. He was too weak for Canelo and regarded afraid.
Alalshikh was requested why he didn’t try to arrange a combat between Crawford and WBC interim 154-lb champion Vergil Ortiz Jr for the large February twenty second card in Riyadh, and he stated Terence was out with a small damage.
Crawford would by no means combat Vergil as a result of it’s dangerous, and he’s trying to hit the jackpot with a golden parachute retirement payday in opposition to Canelo. Turki had beforehand talked about that he didn’t assume Crawford would comply with combat Ortiz Jr., so it was apparent he wasn’t going to be an choice for the February twenty second card.
WBA ‘common’ gentle heavyweight champion Morrell states that he doesn’t like Canelo defending his unified three-belts at tremendous middleweight in opposition to Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who can be transferring up from 154.
“Bulls***!” – Morrell on Canelo
Morrell feels that Canelo ought to be defending his titles in opposition to the contenders at 168 as a substitute of selecting the 37-year-old Crawford for a title protection. He says it’s “Bull s***” if Canelo does that.
He already fought Edgar Berlanga and Jaime Munguia slightly than going through David Benavidez when he was his WBC necessary. He confirmed little interest in preventing Morrell both when he was at 168 and holding the WBA ‘common’ belt.
“It’s easy. This combat isn’t good,” stated Morrell to Fighthype, reacting to being requested about his ideas on Crawford probably preventing Alvarez in Could 2025. “Canelo is one weight, and Crawford is a distinct weight. It’s for enterprise. Canelo has a variety of good fighters at 168.
“He’s [Crawford] 154. It’s just for enterprise. For me, it’s not good. Canelo has 4 good folks at 168 which can be combat. Earlier than, Benavidez was at 168. Why didn’t they combat? Why combat Munguia? Canelo stated earlier than, ‘I by no means combat the Mexican folks.’ Why did you combat Munguia? Later, you combat Berlanga.
“You’ve got one man at 168 that’s necessary. So, proper now, it’s [Canelo-Crawford] is just for enterprise. They’re ending their profession. They’ve two extra years, three extra years. No matter man for cash. You’ve got guys at 168. You don’t want a man at 154 [Crawford]. For me, it’s bull s***.
The sanctioning our bodies are permitting this type of stuff to go on within the sport, and it’s pathetic. Canelo defended his then-undisputed tremendous middleweight title in opposition to Jermell, regardless of Charlo by no means having fought at 168 earlier than. It seems to be dangerous when Canelo passes excessive tremendous middleweight titles to defend in opposition to somebody from 154.
Morrell vs. Benavidez: The REAL Battle
“For me, it’s the perfect combat in 2025. It’s Cuba and Mexico. It’s two younger guys,” stated Morrell about his combat in opposition to Benavidez on February 1st. “Everybody says he’s the boogeyman. I say no. It’s a extremely nice combat. This night time isn’t bull s***. It’s not pretend. All people go to Vegas. I promise you present.”
Morrell is defending his WBA ‘common’ gentle heavyweight title in opposition to Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) on February 1st on the T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas. The occasion might be proven reside on PBC on Prime Video PPV. The winner of the combat might be ready to problem for the 175-lb undisputed championship in opposition to the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 rematch winner.
“Benavidez is pretend bullying. Earlier than, he would speak s*** to folks, and they might say nothing. I’m completely different,” stated Morrell about David Benavidez being a bully except you stand as much as him the best way he has.
Benavidez hasn’t fought anybody that was thought-about a 50-50 match-up for years, and he might have by now if he’d agreed to combat Morrell when he first known as him out in 2022. He might have moved as much as gentle heavyweight earlier in his profession to check himself as a substitute of ready till now.
“For those who’re good, I’m good. However should you’re a nasty boy, I’m extra of a nasty boy than you. Proper now, for me, it’s private 100%,” stated Morrell about Benavidez.
“I regarded good for a brand new division, however I do know I can look higher,” stated Morrell about his debut at 175 in opposition to Radivoje Kalajdzic on August third.
Morrell is coming off of a one-sided 12-round unanimous determination over Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs), and he regarded good in that combat, hurting him a number of instances.
