Canelo says the rivalry remains unfinished and hopes Terence Crawford comes out of retirement after his October fight with Christian Mbilli
Saúl Álvarez says Terence Crawford remains the one opponent he wants before ending his own career. Although Crawford has retired, Canelo hopes victory over Christian Mbilli in October will keep alive the possibility of a blockbuster rematch.
“I hope that [Crawford] fight happens again. That’s what I hope, and I think it would be amazing for fans, too, right? For everybody. It’s a big fight. I hope I get my rematch,” said Canelo to Ring Magazine.
Canelo expressed similar frustration earlier this year, saying he believes the rivalry is unfinished after losing a unanimous decision to Crawford last September.
“Yeah, of course. I always give him credit, but we need to run it back. I didn’t feel the way I wanted to, and I need to make it happen again, and it’s gonna be different. I think for him to deserve all the credit, he needs to give me the rematch.”
A second meeting would almost certainly generate another massive payday for both fighters. However, Crawford has consistently maintained since announcing his retirement that he is satisfied with what he accomplished in the sport and has shown little interest in returning.
Canelo’s immediate focus remains his October title fight against Mbilli. If he wins, he’ll hope Crawford eventually changes his mind about retirement and gives him the rematch he has been calling for.
A victory would put Canelo back on top of the division and could open the door to future fights against the other titleholders, including Hamzah Sheeraz and Osleys Iglesias.
