Canelo Alvarez’s decision to take on Terence Crawford in a rematch in 2026 is one of necessity. The Mexican star has no other options but to try and avenge his loss to the soon-to-be 39-year-old Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs.
As Chris Mannix mentions, Canelo (63-3-2, 39 KOs) lacks options at super middleweight against notable fighters. Crawford is better known than the top fighters at 168 lb.
“Crawford, his people have told me they’ve offered Canelo the rematch a couple of times in the last few months,” said Chris Mannix on his channel. “He [Canelo] is looking for a Terence Crawford rematch next year. He’s probably talking about September 2026.
“This is the first time that we’ve heard Canelo say publicly that he wants a rematch with [Crawford].”
The payday that Canelo will get fighting Crawford again would draw if he were to fight anyone else, aside from David Benavidez.
“This one stings,” said Sergio Mora about Canelo losing to an older, smaller Crawford. “Bud Crawford isnt bigger, stronger, or younger. He just lost to a fighter that he shouldn’t have lost against for all the belts. That he needs to get back.”
Alvarez could have turned down the Crawford fight. It would have saved himself the humiliation of losing to a smaller, older fighter.. It would have been better for him to have agreed to face David Benavidez. At least if Canelo lost to Benavidez, he wouldn’t look as bad due to his being smaller and older.
“Maybe the injuries held him back in training camp. Because it was a great performance on Bud’s part, I want to see if he can do it again. I want to see if Canelo can find another way to beat this man.”
It wasn’t the injuries that caused Canelo to gas out after eight rounds. That was his cardio, which has been a problem for him for years. A rematch won’t be any different. For Alvarez to win, he’s got to build up a wide enough lead in the first seven rounds so that Crawford can’t come on late to steal a decision.
“Canelo has nowhere to go. He’s in the twilight of his career, and he’s already cleaned out everyone relevant at 168,” said Mannix.
Money-wise, Canelo’s best payday besides a fight against David Benavidez would be against Crawford in a rematch. He hasn’t “cleaned out” the 168-lb division.
Several fighters would have an excellent chance of beating him, but they’re not as popular as Crawford. He wasn’t popular until Turki Alalshikh started putting him in the main events on his cards.
Canelo has no choice but to try to avenge his loss to Crawford. It looks bad on his part that he didn’t push for the rematch immediately after losing last September.