Mayweather's Bold Call Crawford and Benavidez to Face Off for Canelo Shot
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has thrown down the gauntlet, urging Terence Crawford and David Benavidez to settle their differences in the ring for a chance to face Canelo Alvarez. The boxing legend believes that a face-off between Crawford and Benavidez could pave the way for one of them to step into the ring against Canelo for the coveted title at 168 pounds. Both Crawford and Benavidez have been relentlessly pursuing a bout with Canelo, but the prospect of that matchup seems distant, especially after Alvarez dismissed the idea of facing a fighter from the 147-pound division. This setback thwarted Crawford's aspirations of becoming an undisputed champion in three weight classes following his successes at 140 and 147 pounds. Benavidez, the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion for nearly two years, has also been chasing Canelo, but negotiations have hit roadblocks. Now contemplating a move to 175 pounds for a showdown with Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Benavidez is eyeing the WBC Interim Lightweight Belt, potentially positioning himself as the mandatory challenger for undisputed at 175. Mayweather's proposition is clear: if Crawford and Benavidez can't secure the elusive Canelo fight, they should face each other. "Both of you guys are chasing one fighter [Canelo], and both of y’all can’t get that fighter, then both of you should say, ‘We’ll fight each other," Mayweather suggested. However, the likelihood of Crawford and Benavidez agreeing to such a clash appears slim. With Canelo already a weight class above at 168 pounds and Benavidez contemplating a move to 175, the size difference raises significant challenges for Crawford. Mayweather floated another alternative, suggesting a potential matchup between Crawford and Jaron Ennis. Ennis, the current IBF Welterweight Champion, could offer Crawford an opportunity for undisputed glory at 147 pounds, having acquired the title after Crawford's stripping for not defending against him. As both Crawford and Benavidez navigate a crossroads in their careers, chasing the Canelo dream, Mayweather emphasizes the importance of considering alternative paths. The boxing landscape offers various opportunities, and the sport's unpredictability might just lead to unexpected yet significant matchups for both fighters. #Mayweather #TerenceCrawford #DavidBenavidez #CaneloAlvarez #BoxingOpportunities #FighterAlternatives #BoxingLegends
