Key Highlights
- Canelo Álvarez reclaimed the WBC Super Middleweight title following a unanimous decision victory over Christian Mbilli in Saudi Arabia.
- Despite Álvarez’s hopes for a rematch, undefeated rival Terence Crawford stepped away from the sport after beating the Mexican champion in September 2025.
- Crawford has publicly shifted his comeback sights toward an exhibition showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr., leaving a Canelo rematch off the table for now.
Álvarez Reclaims WBC Gold in Saudi Arabia
Mexican superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (64-3-2) recently returned to the top of the boxing world, regaining the WBC Super Middleweight championship after a grueling unanimous decision triumph over Christian Mbilli in Saudi Arabia. The victory reaffirmed the Guadalajara native’s enduring status among the sport’s elite, giving him another world championship belt to add to his historic resume. However, while Álvarez successfully accomplished his mission of securing gold once again, another major career ambition remains out of his control: avenging his past defeat against Terence Crawford.
Terence Crawford Eyeing Blockbuster Against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Terence “Bud” Crawford (42-0) vacated the undisputed 168-pound championship and stepped into retirement after defeating Canelo Álvarez in September 2025. Despite persistent speculation regarding an Álvarez-Crawford rematch, the Nebraska native has shown little interest in stepping into the ring with Álvarez a second time. Instead, Crawford has teased an entirely different comeback target, publicly calling out fellow retired, undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0).
Taking to social media, Crawford directly made his pitch for a showdown between the two all-time greats: “There is a reason they want me to come back. They had all of you fooled into thinking I couldn’t sell and that I wasn’t marketable. Now look, I’m the ticket. To hell with it! Floyd, you and I would make everything explode, GOAT vs GOAT,”
The Bud posted on X.
Status of a Potential Canelo-Crawford Rematch
Alongside calling out Mayweather, Crawford has been active on social media addressing several prominent names in boxing. He exchanged messages with Ryan Garcia—leaning more toward reproach than an actual bout proposal—while keeping fans guessing about his future. Crawford did publicly acknowledge Canelo Álvarez’s latest victory over Mbilli, expressing his respect for Álvarez as a fan and praising the Mexican champion’s remarkable track record of defeating undefeated contenders throughout his career. Nevertheless, Crawford has remained completely silent regarding any contractual desire or willingness to offer Álvarez an official rematch.
Why This Matters
The super middleweight division remains anchored by Canelo Álvarez, yet his legacy-defining pursuits are bottlenecked by Terence Crawford’s retirement decisions. Crawford’s decisive September 2025 victory over Álvarez solidified his status as an all-time great, and a rematch would represent one of the most lucrative pay-per-view events in contemporary boxing. However, Crawford’s pivot toward calling out Floyd Mayweather Jr. underscores a broader trend of retired elite fighters pursuing standalone blockbuster spectacles rather than taking on grueling championship rematches against top contenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Canelo Álvarez defeat Christian Mbilli?
Yes. Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez defeated Christian Mbilli by unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia, which earned him the WBC Super Middleweight world championship.
Is Terence Crawford planning to give Canelo Álvarez a rematch?
As of now, Crawford has expressed no interest in scheduling a rematch with Álvarez. Although he praised Álvarez’s career following the Mbilli fight, Crawford has focused his return interest on an event against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
What did Terence Crawford say about Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
Terence Crawford called out Floyd Mayweather Jr. on X, declaring: “There is a reason they want me to come back. They had all of you fooled into thinking I couldn’t sell and that I wasn’t marketable. Now look, I’m the ticket. To hell with it! Floyd, you and I would make everything explode, GOAT vs GOAT,”
