Canelo Wants Crawford Rematch: 'There's No Bigger Fight'

Canelo Alvarez isn't done talking about the one that got away. The Mexican, now 63-2-2 (39 KO), told Ring Magazine he wants a rematch with Terence Crawford, calling it the biggest fight in the sport. The problem: Crawford retired in December at 42-0 (31 KO) and shows no sign of unretiring for anyone.

Crawford walked away months after handing Canelo a unanimous-decision loss at super middleweight, a win that made him a five-weight world champion and a three-division undisputed king. At 39, he joined the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe by leaving with a perfect record intact. That's a rare club, and it's not one you usually talk your way out of.

Canelo's pitch is built on revenge and regret. He suggested the fight was closer than the scorecards implied, said he understands the mistakes he made, and insisted he'd know how to crack the Crawford puzzle in a second meeting. He also made clear he respects the man who beat him, wishing Crawford well if the rematch never materializes.

Why This Is a Long Shot

Crawford has been linked to a few names since stepping away, chiefly WBA/WBO super-welterweight champion Jaron Ennis (36-0, 32 KO) and WBC welterweight titlist Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KO). Neither has apparently moved the needle for him. A man who retires undisputed across three divisions doesn't owe the sport a comeback, and nothing about Crawford's posture suggests he's itching to lace them up again.

There's also a practical hurdle for Canelo. Before he can chase anything with Crawford's name on it, he's expected to face WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on October 31. That bout itself carries a question mark, with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East casting doubt over whether it goes ahead as planned.

So the math is simple and unforgiving. Canelo needs to get past Mbilli, then somehow coax a retired, unbeaten champion back through the ropes for a fight he's already lost once. Crawford holds all the leverage and none of the urgency. For now, the biggest fight in boxing exists only in Canelo's pitch meeting.