As excitement builds for the blockbuster showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, not everyone in the boxing world is buying the hype. Among the skeptics is none other than Oscar De La Hoya, a Hall of Famer and former promoter of Canelo, who has openly questioned the credibility of the bout being labeled the sport’s marquee event.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Canelo will defend his undisputed super middleweight championship this September against Crawford, a three-division champion who recently claimed the WBA light middleweight title after defeating Israil Madrimov in August.
Canelo, who unified the 168-pound division after defeating William Scull on May 3 in Riyadh, now owns all four major belts at super middleweight for the second time in his career—a historic feat. Yet despite the magnitude of the matchup on paper, De La Hoya isn’t convinced.
De La Hoya sounds off: ‘Hear me out’
Speaking candidly on social media, De La Hoya shared a pointed critique: “So hear me out. Crawford will be 38 and Canelo is 35. Crawford hasn’t fought in a year and got exposed by Madrimov, in my opinion. Canelo has been getting exposed for the past few years. Can anyone please explain to me how this is the ‘biggest fight in boxing’?”
Canelo Alvarez will face Terence Crawford in a bout confirmed for September 2025 with a venue soon to be announced. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
De La Hoya’s comments have reignited debate across the sport. While many fans and analysts still view Canelo vs. Crawford as a generational clash, others echo “The Golden Boy’s” concerns—particularly regarding both fighters’ recent performances and their age heading into the bout.
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Criticism on both sides
Canelo’s unanimous decision win over Scull was met with mixed reviews, with critics arguing that the Mexican star looked flat and vulnerable. Meanwhile, Crawford—despite his win over Madrimov—did not appear to be at his dominant best, raising further questions about how sharp he’ll be after more than a year out of the ring.
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With the fight now set but still months away, one thing is certain: the promotional build-up is only just beginning, and De La Hoya’s blunt commentary may be the first of many polarizing takes in what promises to be a deeply scrutinized lead-up to fight night.
