Canelo Told To Take Tune-Up Before Crawford Rematch Fight

December 16, 2025

in Boxing

Reading Time: 2 mins read

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The Mexican star Canelo will be coming off a year’s layoff by the time the fight happens, and he’ll be 36 by then. It’ll have been a long time out of the ring, and he’s got a lot of wear from his 68-fight career.

Commentator Sergio Mora says Canelo should take a tune-up fight against Hamzah Sheeraz before he faces Crawford in a rematch. He doesn’t think Sheeraz will be able to hit Alvarez with the same shots as he did his last opponent, Edgar Berlanga, because he’s better defensively.

For Canelo to agree to fight Hamzah, he would have to be willing to risk his rematch with Crawford. If he loses to Sheeraz, it would look pointless for him to move on and face Terence in a second fight. Fans would want him to avenge his loss to Sheeraz first.

“I know he knows how to fight. I know he’s going to fight a rematch with a guy that he just went 12 rounds with, but you got to shake off cobwebs,” said commentator Sergio Mora to the Chris Mannix channel, talking about Canelo Alvarez needing a tune-up before facing Terence Crawford in a rematch.

Canelo’s surgically repaired left elbow would need to be healthy enough for him to return to the ring for a tune-up fight. It’s only been two months since his surgery.

One big problem with Alvarez taking a tune-up fight is that he would still want to be paid a lot of money. He’s not likely to agree to a non-PPV battle and be paid very little.

“Hamzah Sheeraz. He’s not going to be a threat to Canelo,” said Mora, suggesting that Alvarez is using Sheeraz as a tune-up. “Hamzah isn’t going to be a volume puncher against Canelo.”

I disagree with Mora. Sheeraz would be a threat to defeating Canelo, and making it look more impressive than Bud’s win. Sheeraz wouldn’t move the way Crawford did for long stretches. He would try to bomb Alvarez out with shots because that’s how he fights.

Losing to Hamzah would be a strong signal that Canelo needs to retire because this guy isn’t seen as great. He beat Berlanga.

Chris Williams is a senior writer for Boxing News 24, covering the sport since 2013 and reporting ringside from major events worldwide. His coverage dives into both established champions and hungry prospects battling for recognition. Over the years, Chris has contributed to numerous leading boxing outlets, earning respect for his sharp analysis and insider perspective.

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