A New King, A New Challenger: Turki Alalshikh Proposes Crawford-Benavidez While Canelo Alvarez Faces Defeat with Humility
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Sep 2025
The dust has barely settled on Terence "Bud" Crawford's historic victory over Canelo Alvarez Saturday night in Las Vegas, yet the boxing world is already buzzing with the next potential mega-fight. In the wake of a performance that solidified Crawford's status as the sport's pound-for-pound king, influential Saudi boxing czar Turki Alalshikh wasted no time in proposing a sensational matchup: Crawford versus the "Mexican Monster" David Benavidez.
Alalshikh's suggestion, made just hours after Crawford became the undisputed super middleweight champion, immediately sparked debate. The question he posed to the boxing world was direct: Can Crawford, now a three-division undisputed champion and a winner in a fifth weight class, make a return to 168 pounds to face the boogeyman of the division?
Benavidez, for years, was the mandatory challenger Canelo Alvarez seemed to avoid, a relentless force who has now moved up to light heavyweight in search of new challenges. With Crawford now holding all the belts at super middleweight, the dream matchup for Benavidez is no longer with Canelo, but with the man who just defeated him. A fight between Crawford and Benavidez would not only offer Benavidez his long-awaited chance at undisputed glory but would also pit two of boxing's most formidable forces against each other.
On paper, Benavidez brings a significant physical size advantage, a brutal combination of power and volume that has overwhelmed every opponent he's faced. However, as analysts are quick to point out, Crawford's recent masterclass against Alvarez positions "Bud" as the clear favorite. Crawford's uncanny blend of speed, timing, and defensive awareness, combined with his proven ability to carry his power and skills up the weight classes, makes him a puzzle that few believe Benavidez can solve. The matchup has all the makings of a fight-of-the-year contender and a commercial blockbuster.
Meanwhile, in a stark contrast to the speculation over his future, Canelo Alvarez has responded to his rare defeat with a display of grace and humility. There were no excuses, no claims of a robbery, only gratitude and reflection.
"I feel very proud of everything I’ve achieved so far," Alvarez said. "We always want to win, but I accept this defeat with humility and learning."
The sentiment was a poignant reminder of the champion's class. Canelo, who reportedly earned a staggering $150 million for the night, chose to focus not on the loss but on the journey, his family, and the millions of fans who have stood by him. At 35, and with a record of 63-3-2, Canelo's future is a topic of intense discussion. While retirement is a possibility, his status as a pay-per-view superstar ensures that lucrative "money fights" will be available for years to come.
As one chapter closes for Canelo, a new and exciting one opens for Terence Crawford. With Turki Alalshikh and the fans already clamoring for his next challenge, the question isn't whether Crawford has reached the pinnacle of his sport, but who—if anyone—can stop him now.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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