Canelo Alvarez versus Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most intense fantasy match-ups in the sport of boxing. The Mexican’s upcoming opponent, Terence Crawford, believes one man would have the upper hand.
After hanging up the gloves on a Hall of Fame career, five-weight world champion turned his focus fully to the promotional game and his brightest star was, for some time, Canelo.
The pair would work together on the first two fights with Gennady Golovkin and plenty more before a bitter split in 2020 involving lawsuits and plenty of jabs through the media. The relationship has never been repaired, in fact perhaps worsened over time.
For that reason, a prime vs prime fantasy fight – likely at super-welterweight – is as intriguing as any, with De La Hoya’s movement and speed up against the aggressive counterpunching and pressure of Alvarez.
Speaking ahead of his own fight with Canelo, which will see him move up two weight classes, two-time undisputed champion Crawford was asked to name any fighters better than his opponent and included De La Hoya in that group, as well as Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol – the only two men who have bested the Mexican in 67 bouts.
Though that match-up will forever remain up for debate, Crawford has a very real challenge facing him. He has fought just once at 154lbs having been at 147 since mid-2018. Canelo, on the other hand, has been at 168 consistently since 2020 and is undefeated at the weight. The pair face off on September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.