Shakur Stevenson Praises Canelo Álvarez but Thinks Terence Crawford Would Win Fight

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVMay 5, 2024

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Shakur Stevenson was impressed with Canelo Álvarez’s win over Jaime Munguía on Saturday, but he’s still backing Terence Crawford in a potential head-to-head matchup.

Shakur Stevenson @ShakurStevensonHellavu fighter Canelo is 💪🏾 Still think Bud beats him

Álvarez earned. unanimous decision victory over Munguía on Saturday and is expected to fight one more time this year. Crawford and David Benavidez have been mentioned as the two potential biggest prize fights Álvarez could take later this year, but he hasn’t seemed sold on accepting the bouts.

Michael Benson @MichaelBensonn‼️ Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez having an exchange after Canelo’s win over Jaime Munguia…

[🎥 @BoxAzteca7]pic.twitter.com/BH812vaseb

Álvarez said he could do “whatever I want” in regards to his next fight.

“If the money’s right … I can fight [Benavidez] right now,” Álvarez said, per Mike Coppinger of ESPN. “I don’t give a s–t. It’s only a matter of money at this point. Everybody is asking for everything.”

Crawford has made it clear he wants an Álvarez fight at some point in the future, though it’s more likely that would take place in 2025. Crawford is currently slated for a fight against Israil Madrimov on Aug. 3.

“You got two of the top fighters of this decade, not just in the past year or so,” Crawford told ESPN. “You got two fighters that’s been at the top for 10 years. You got the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and you got the No. 1 money man. I never like to overlook anybody, I got a fight coming up Aug. 3, and that’s where my main focus is at.

“I thought it was a good fight. I thought Munguia fought hard, I just think his inexperience caught up to him and made him fall in and square up and not stepping in with his punches allowed Canelo to sit back, counter and pick his shots. … Canelo was real patient.”

While it’s unclear whether Canelo vs. Crawford will ever happen, at least one prominent name has already threw their weight behind Crawford.