Two-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford might be in some trouble ahead of his mega fight against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Why? Well, as it turns out, his humongous payday might be in jeopardy, as ‘Cinnamon’ may end up retiring from the sport before the fight happens. 

The pair is set to square off on September 13th, though the venue remains undecided. With Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas unavailable due to a college football game, potential locations now include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. Regardless, ahead of the blockbuster fight, Eddie Hearn, who has promoted many of Canelo’s fights, reflected on his future. 

While appearing in an interview with Fight Hub TV recently, the Matchroom boss was pressed about his thoughts on Canelo’s performance against William Scull earlier this month. In response, Hearn dropped a bombshell nobody saw coming. “A little bit, yeah,” Hearn said when asked whether he sees the Crawford fight differently after the Scull fight.  

For context, Scull ran around the ring during the fight, avoiding engagement, as Canelo reportedly failed to cut off the ring. “ It wasn’t just the fact that he couldn’t cut the ring off. I just feel like the timing now, the age that…  I just feel like that desire might be fading a little bit. Not because of his love for… but just because of age, and like life,” Hearn told the reporter. 

Hearn believes the Crawford fight will “definitely get him up for it,” but watching the Canelo-Scull fight, Hearn couldn’t help but think, “ I wouldn’t be surprised if he retired and actually didn’t fight Crawford.” Hearn added that he thinks Canelo might not want to “ lose to Crawford, a much smaller guy, just because he is at the end of the road.”

And in case Canelo Alvarez does go through with the Crawford fight, letting Crawford make millions, Hearn claimed, “I bet he retires after that fight.” In the meantime, another boxing veteran has made a damning claim about Canelo Alvarez. 

Bob Arum brands Canelo Alvarez boring ahead of the Terence Crawford fight

Bob Arum didn’t hold back in his assessment of Canelo Alvarez ahead of the Mexican star’s showdown with Terence Crawford. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, the legendary promoter questioned Canelo’s recent performances and motivation. “Canelo has shown in his last few fights that he’s just a businessman. He’s not in there to entertain the public. He just takes the big check,” Arum said, referencing Canelo’s $400 million four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.

Canelo, who hasn’t scored a knockout since 2021, is coming off a lackluster win over William Scull. Arum questioned which version of Alvarez will show up, stating, “Who’s Canelo? What Canelo is gonna show up? The Canelo who is looking to cash a big check or the Canelo that really wants to fight like a fighter?” He added, “The Canelo we have seen in the last two years is not only boring, but doesn’t really have an incentive to mix it up.”

Having said that, if Eddie Hearn’s speculation that Canelo Alvarez may retire before the fight is to be believed, Terence Crawford might lose out on big money. However, as Bob Arum mentioned, if not anything else, Canelo would show up to collect a check. Do you think Canelo would retire before the Crawford fight?