Will Canelo vs Crawford Pave the Way for the Mexican Superstar to Enter the WWE
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez is one of the world’s biggest combat sports stars, if not the biggest. His reign in boxing, coupled with his desire to fight any and all top competitors across the divisions, has rightly earned him a place among the legends of the sport. On September 13, however, he’ll meet his toughest opponent yet.
The incredibly highly-rated Terence Crawford, whose technical prowess arguably exceeds that of Álvarez, will meet the undisputed super middleweight in Nevada to battle for all of the titles. According to the Canelo vs Crawford Paddy Power bet odds, the champion is marginally favored to come out on top.
Even so, could this bout – or its potential sequel – be Canelo’s push into a different sport within the squared circle?
A Close Match for the Champ
According to the boxing odds, Canelo should come out on top, and most likely after 12 rounds of boxing. He’s dazzled judges in the past to secure hefty points victories and, even when he’s been off his game, the Mexican has put in the right kind of showing to convince the judges.
He’s earned a lot of favor over the years, but you’d struggle to find an instance of a similar kind of awe not also being owed to Crawford. At 41-0 entering this colossal event, Crawford has continually showcased his fleet-footedness, his crisp jab and counter-punch, and even his somewhat expected knockout power. There’s plenty to argue for either side in a Canelo vs Crawford Paddy Power bet.
Even if he loses, Canelo’s legacy is secured in boxing, and he’ll enjoy a hefty payout from this Saudi-backed bout to join his pool of other massive paydays. He may not even pursue a rematch, given that he’s already achieved so much and is now 35 years old. Instead, he could turn his eye to another corner of sports.
Joining the WWE’s Mexican Greats
In a media session earlier this year, Canelo responded positively to a question about the rumours of him potentially entering the wrestling arena. He said, “Yes, we’ve talked about it,” and that he might just make a few appearances in the WWE. “Maybe someday you’ll see me there,” he concluded.
He wouldn’t be the first boxer to join the WWE in a limited or more all-in capacity. Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Joe Frazier, Floyd Mayweather, and Muhammad Ali all appeared on WWE shows, and Tyson Fury partook in some actual wrestling. Given his age and athleticism, Canelo could well join as a part of the wrestler stable.
Should he do so, the multi-weight boxing world champion could join an incredible list of Mexican WWE superstars. Headlined by Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, you’ve also got Bayley, Alberto del Rio, Tito Santana, and Roxanne Perez creating a firm foothold for Mexico in the annals of WWE history.
Plus, the WWE’s owning company clearly seeks to infuse more Mexican wrestling talent and capitalize on the popularity of the nation’s distinct genre of the sport. Earlier this year, TKO Group Holdings acquired AAA, a lucha libre promotion, likely with an eye on finding more talents like Guerrero and Mysterio, who were once part of AAA.
A year or two more in professional boxing would be the easy bet for Canelo, likely with a huge-money rematch against Crawford down the line. However, should he want to hang up his gloves, the WWE would certainly welcome his star power with open arms.
