Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford’s Promotional Tour
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford wrapped up their intense promotional tour on Friday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, having previously visited Saudi Arabia and New York. The press tour, aimed at building excitement for their upcoming fight, was marked by a noticeable lack of genuine chemistry between the two boxing stars, a contrast from critics’ expectations following a rather amicable dinner during initial promotional efforts.
Escalating Rivalry
As the rivalry escalated, Canelo took a jab at Crawford during the press briefing, insinuating that his opponent’s aggressive demeanor in New York was orchestrated by Turki Alalshikh, a prominent Saudi figure in boxing who had faced backlash for being too cordial with the fighters. The atmosphere became charged as Canelo confronted Crawford, stating:
“Turki didn’t ask me to do nothing; I didn’t touch you.”
Crawford responded defiantly, denying that he was pressured into acting tough and declaring his fearless attitude:
“I ain’t scared of s—,”
Crawford affirmed, reflecting on the confrontation and asserting his stance as a competitor. Canelo, however, took the opportunity to dismiss Crawford’s claims by pointing out that his confidence seemingly stemmed from his previous lesser opponents, quipping sarcastically about Crawford’s status.
Upcoming Bout
The conversation illustrated the mounting tension ahead of their significant bout scheduled for September 13 at Allegiant Stadium. A victory for Crawford in this match would elevate him back to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, as he aims to reclaim his former standing from Oleksandr Usyk, who recently took the title following a win over Tyson Fury.
As both fighters focus on their final training leading up to this pivotal clash, the rivalry has shifted noticeably from initial cordiality to a more personal and intense competition. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this will play out in the ring during their anticipated showdown.
