David Morrell says a possible battle between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is a “Faux” one, carried out only for “enterprise” functions.
The Canelo-Crawford battle nonetheless hasn’t been made, however His Excellency Turki Alalshikh talked about in an interview that Crawford is out with an harm till Could 2025. That’s clearly when Canelo will battle subsequent. Turki will attempt to put that battle collectively.
Morrell doesn’t like the concept of Canelo defending towards 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 greater and stronger than Crawford. He was too weak for Canelo and appeared afraid.
Alalshikh was requested why he didn’t try to arrange a battle between Crawford and WBC interim 154-lb champion Vergil Ortiz Jr for the enormous February twenty second card in Riyadh, and he mentioned Terence was out with a small harm.
Crawford would by no means battle Vergil as a result of it’s dangerous, and he’s trying to hit the jackpot with a golden parachute retirement payday towards Canelo. Turki had beforehand talked about that he didn’t suppose Crawford would conform to battle Ortiz Jr., so it was apparent he wasn’t going to be an choice for the February twenty second card.
WBA ‘common’ mild heavyweight champion Morrell states that he doesn’t like Canelo defending his unified three-belts at tremendous middleweight towards Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who can be transferring up from 154.
“Bulls***!” – Morrell on Canelo
Morrell feels that Canelo needs to be defending his titles towards the contenders at 168 as an alternative 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 somewhat than going through David Benavidez when he was his WBC necessary. He confirmed no real interest in preventing Morrell both when he was at 168 and holding the WBA ‘common’ belt.
“It’s easy. This battle just isn’t good,” mentioned Morrell to Fighthype, reacting to being requested about his ideas on Crawford doubtlessly preventing Alvarez in Could 2025. “Canelo is one weight, and Crawford is a unique 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 a great battle. Earlier than, Benavidez was at 168. Why didn’t they battle? Why battle Munguia? Canelo mentioned earlier than, ‘I by no means battle the Mexican folks.’ Why did you battle Munguia? Later, you battle Berlanga.
“You’ve gotten 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 gotten 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 towards Jermell, regardless of Charlo by no means having fought at 168 earlier than. It seems dangerous when Canelo passes excessive tremendous middleweight titles to defend towards somebody from 154.
Morrell vs. Benavidez: The REAL Combat
“For me, it’s the perfect battle in 2025. It’s Cuba and Mexico. It’s two younger guys,” mentioned Morrell about his battle towards Benavidez on February 1st. “Everybody says he’s the boogeyman. I say no. It’s a extremely nice battle. This night time just isn’t bull s***. It’s not faux. Everyone go to Vegas. I promise you a great present.”
Morrell is defending his WBA ‘common’ mild heavyweight title towards Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) on February 1st on the T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas. The occasion can be proven reside on PBC on Prime Video PPV. The winner of the battle can be ready to problem for the 175-lb undisputed championship towards the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 rematch winner.
“Benavidez is faux bullying. Earlier than, he would speak s*** to folks, and they’d say nothing. I’m completely different,” mentioned Morrell about David Benavidez being a bully except you stand as much as him the way in which 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 battle Morrell when he first referred to as him out in 2022. He might have moved as much as mild heavyweight earlier in his profession to check himself as an alternative of ready till now.
“In case you’re good, I’m good. However when you’re a nasty boy, I’m extra of a nasty boy than you. Proper now, for me, it’s private 100%,” mentioned Morrell about Benavidez.
“I appeared good for a brand new division, however I do know I can look higher,” mentioned Morrell about his debut at 175 towards Radivoje Kalajdzic on August third.
Morrell is coming off of a one-sided 12-round unanimous resolution over Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs), and he appeared good in that battle, hurting him a number of occasions.
