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Terence Crawford declares Canelo Alvarez still 'face of boxing' after retirement

2026-07-19 · Terence Crawford · Player Focus

Terence Crawford has declared Canelo Alvarez remains the 'face of boxing' despite his own retirement from the sport. The former undisputed super-middleweight champion made the statement during an interview with The Breakfast Club, dismissing claims that Jaron 'Boots' Ennis has taken over the mantle after his recent victory.

Why Crawford still backs Canelo

Crawford pointed to Alvarez's decade-long dominance in pay-per-view events and his strong fanbase in American and Hispanic communities. 'Canelo’s still the face of boxing. For sure,' Crawford said. Despite losing his undisputed super-middleweight titles to Crawford in September 2023, Alvarez remains a major draw.

Ennis's rise falls short

While Jaron Ennis impressed with a sixth-round stoppage of Xander Zayas last month, Crawford believes the two-weight unified champion still has work to do before becoming a mainstream attraction. Ennis's performance earned him the WBO and WBA titles, but Crawford argues he lacks the crossover appeal of Alvarez.

What's next for Canelo?

Alvarez is set to return to the ring in October 2026, facing Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight marks a shift from his traditional Mexican Independence Day weekend bouts. Mbilli was elevated to full champion following Crawford’s retirement announcement in December 2023.

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