Upcoming Showdown: Crawford vs. Alvarez
On September 13, 2025, boxing fans will witness a high-stakes showdown as Terence “Bud” Crawford goes head-to-head with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, competing for the undisputed super middleweight championship. Despite Bet MGM listing Crawford as a +140 underdog, his rising popularity and the confidence he inspires among boxing insiders suggest he could very well achieve a historic victory, potentially becoming the first male fighter to secure undisputed titles across three different weight classes in the four-belt era.
Insights from Michael Conlan
Michael Conlan, a featherweight contender, recently shared on the DAZN program “Ariel x Ade” that he was initially inclined to favor Alvarez due to his size and established prowess. However, after observing the intensity of the pre-fight faceoff between the two fighters, Conlan has shifted his allegiance to Crawford.
“Bud is just so game and one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound, of our generation. Something about that faceoff made me go, ‘Bud’s got this,'”
Conlan remarked, hinting at possible signs of Alvarez’s decline, albeit acknowledging that he remains a remarkable athlete in his own right.
Callum Walsh and the Co-Headline Bout
The boxing scene is also abuzz about Callum Walsh, another promising fighter from Ireland whose upcoming bout will co-headline the event alongside the Alvarez-Crawford match. Conlan, who recently confirmed that he is not yet ready to hang up his gloves despite nearing the end of his career, lauded Walsh’s potential.
“Callum is a fantastic fighter… He’s probably more well-known in UFC circles, but I believe he’s the real deal,”
he said, expressing belief in Walsh’s capability to knock out his opponent, Fernando Vargas Jr.
Conlan’s Legacy and Future Aspirations
As Conlan prepares for his September 5 encounter against Jack Bateson, he reflects on his legacy in Irish boxing. Even as he acknowledges the closing chapter of his career, he remains ambitious, stating,
“I still want to get a world title. I’m still aiming towards that. I believe I can still do it.”
This fight serves as a critical juncture for Conlan, especially following two setbacks in 2023 that left him with only one eight-round fight since then. Sitting at the 126-pound division, Conlan recognizes that his match against Bateson could dictate his future opportunities.
The Competitive Featherweight Landscape
Returning to the buzzing featherweight scene, Conlan is acutely aware of the competitive landscape, which once featured matchups among top fighters like Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington.
“If it makes sense, we can do it,”
he remarked, eyeing a rematch with Wood, whom he previously faced in a dramatic fight that many consider a candidate for Fight of the Year.
He emphasized the urgency of his next fight, noting that a loss to Bateson could effectively sideline any ambitious plans he has, including major bouts with top-tier opponents like Wood and Warrington.
“This is his world title fight. I’m looking forward to it because I’ll have the best Jack Bateson in front of me on fight night, which means I’ve got to be the best myself,”
he stated, underscoring the pivotal nature of the impending clash.
