Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Kamaru Usman trade shots over potential crossover clash

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Kamaru Usman, the pound-for-pound No 1s in boxing and the UFC respectively, have continued to exchange barbs regarding a potential crossover bout.

Speculation the two could meet in a boxing clash has ramped up the past few months, with UFC welterweight belt-holder Usman declaring last month he would stop the undisputed super middleweight champion should a lucrative match-up materialise.

The possible encounter has again been in the news this week, after Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, labelled Alvarez an “absolute chicken” for not wanting to face his client.

After Alvarez bit back on social media, Usman stepped in, tweeting late on Wednesday: “Let’s just all relax… before somebody gets hurt.”

That prompted a back-and-forward between the pair online, with Alvarez telling Usman he would have to bide his time, saying: “You calling me out right ? You want the pay day right ? So you know where, but sit down it's not your turn yet. I have a legacy to make.”

Early on Thursday, Usman responded: “Enough said… you don’t want that smoke in a real fight. I hear you! Good luck champ.”

Usman, 34, has held the welterweight title for three years, with five successful defences in that time – including once in Abu Dhabi, during the inaugural Fight Island in July 2020 – catapulting him to the top of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. He is currently 15-0 in the promotion having most recently defeated No 1-ranked challenger Colby Covington by unanimous decision in their rematch at UFC 268 in November.

Enough said… you don’t want that smoke in a real fight. I hear you! Good luck champ