Turki Alalshikh has urged Terence Crawford to step back between the ropes.
‘Bud’ hung up his gloves in December following a unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight crown.
3
Crawford defeated Canelo in September 2025 at the Allegiant Stadium, Las VegasCredit: Getty
He had toyed with the idea of moving down to middleweight to pick up a world title in a sixth weight class, but opted to call time on his career after Janibek Alimkhanuly failed a drug test at the back end of last year.
Crawford has doubled down on his stance in several interviews since his initial announcement.
However, Alalshikh is hopeful of coaxing the future first ballot Hall of Famer out of retirement for a rematch with Canelo.
“We want the rematch with Canelo,” Alashikh tweeted directly to Crawford.
READ MORE ON BOXING
“Maybe it is a chance to be 4 [time undisputed].”
When is Canelo Alvarez’s next fight?
Canelo is set to headline a September 12 ‘Mexico vs the World’ card on Mexican Independence weekend.
His opponent has yet to be announced, although the 35-year-old’s manager/trainer, Eddy Reynoso, recently informed BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire that WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli is the frontrunner.
Reynoso had previously told Ring Magazine that they would also entertain a rematch with Crawford if the opportunity presented itself.
“We’re going to stay at super middleweight for now,” said Reynoso.
“The division is heating up, and we can really stay busy there for the foreseeable future.
3
Saudi boxing chief Alalshikh wants to stage Crawford-Canelo IICredit: Getty
“Mbilli is a really great fight, if it ends up happening.
“We saw the great fight Mbilli had with Lester Martinez, and it would be a great challenge for Canelo.
“But if Crawford returns, let’s make the rematch happen.
“As a trainer, I can see the modifications that we need to make for the Crawford rematch and for the results to go our way.”
While Alalshikh and Team Canelo are keen to run back the fight with Crawford, there is likely to be considerably less appetite from the fans.
The inaugural encounter was a lopsided affair, even if the judges’ scorecards don’t accurately reflect what most observers saw.
3
Crawford retired with a record of 42-0-0Credit: Getty
Boxing schedule
For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s boxing schedule.