Vergil Ortiz Jr. Agrees to Fight Terence Crawford as HE Turki Alalshikh Gives Canelo Alvarez an Ultimatum; Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda in Talks

Terence Crawford wants Canelo Alvarez in a super fight. Vergil Ortiz Jr. has had his eyes set on Crawford for some time. And if boxing fans are lucky, they may get to see one of the two bouts soon. Before Terence Crawford took on Israil Madrimov at the packed BMO Stadium as part of Riyadh Season LA, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh shared how he was planning a couple of big fights and made a crucial announcement regarding Alvarez.

Crawford vs Alvarez featuring two of the best boxers in the world, is currently the most anticipated matchup in the sport. Although Crawford is eager for the bout, Canelo has previously downplayed the idea due to Crawford’s lower weight class. Nonetheless, the Mexican superstar has indicated he might reconsider if the financial incentive is substantial enough and that’s what Alalshikh might pursue.

Speaking to a reporter from DAZN Boxing the Saudi royal shared his thoughts on the bout between Crawford and Madrimov. He acknowledged it was going to be a tough challenge for Crawford, but backed him to “handle it.” The reporter asked if Crawford does “handle it” will it mean a bout against Alvarez? Alalshikh answered with a simple message for Alvarez and said, “I give him the offer. If he’s smart he will accept it.”

But he quickly brought up the backup plan they have in case Alvarez doesn’t agree to the fight. “But if doesn’t I want (Vergil) Ortiz. If they accept, we want to see this fight.” Alalshikh didn’t have to wait too long for Ortiz’s response.

Taking to X, the Golden Boy-promoted emphatically declared, “@turki_alalshikh put me in!!” Ortiz’s eagerness to face Crawford is nothing new.

In January he talked about the chance of fighting Crawford at 154. “That’s a really good fight. I have a lot of respect for him. I wouldn’t say he’s the top pound-for-pound guy. I think he’s definitely top two, and I would love to see what I could do against him.” Although the fight would be big for Vergil Jr. it may not carry the same importance for Crawford. He has made it clear that he wants to compete in big-money fights against big names. Vergil Jr., despite his 100% win record, may not command that pulling power. He will have to overcome names like Brian Mendoza and Jermell Charlo to convince fans and Crawford of his worth. But it seems Alalshikh is banking on him.

Also on the news, the Saudi Royal Advisor planning to organize a fight between Shakur Stevenson and knockout artist William Zepeda. 

While Stevenson was open to the fight from the beginning, Zapeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, had other plans for the boxer. But talking to the DAZN reporter, Alalshikh revealed, “I want to see Shakur vs Zepeda. He accepted, De La Hoya accept, Eddie accept. Let’s do it.”

De Le Hoya may have had his reservations about this fight. Earlier he mentioned “he wasn’t that interested in doing this fight.” But that scenario seems to have changed after his company announced a partnership with Turki’s Riyadh Season on July 22. Part of the same partnership, Ortiz Jr. will face Serhii Bohachuk on Saturday, August 10 at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

While Crawford vs. Ortiz Jr. and Stevenson vs. Zepeda have a really good chance of happening because of the partnership with Oscar’s GB Promotions, a Canelo fight remains uncertain. But if that somehow happens, Crawford’s trainer believes Canelo will be in trouble!

Crawford’s trainer warns Alvarez of the boxer’s rhythm

If the bout does come to pass, ‘Bud’ Crawford’s trainer, Brian McIntyre, has a message for Alvarez. Speaking on FightHype on July 23, he said, “Canelo has been in the game long enough to know what he’s doing. But if Crawford faces him right after the Madrimov fight, Canelo might find himself in a bit of trouble. Crawford will be in his rhythm and groove, and that’s a dangerous combination.”

Meanwhile, Crawford is also ready for the fight to go down. After he overcame Madrimov in an intense 12-round bout via unanimous decision to become a four-division champion, he talked about facing Alvarez. He said, “You know what they say, if the money’s right, we’ve got a fight.” But at the same time, he explained, “It’s not so important to me, it’s just another milestone towards greatness, and financially wise.”

So will they or won’t they? Even if Canelo Alvarez doesn’t agree, Crawford vs. Ortiz Jr. and Stevenson vs. Zepeda are quite the fights to look forward to. Would you be down to watch these bouts?