Former world boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi has completely reassessed his perspective regarding a potential high-stakes rematch between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, admitting that a masterclass performance from the Mexican superstar has left him pleasantly surprised and eager to see the two elite fighters lock horns inside the squared circle once again.
Prior to recent developments, the boxing community was sharply divided on whether a second bout between Crawford and Alvarez was genuinely warranted or simply a commercially driven venture. Malignaggi, in particular, had previously voiced firm skepticism about running it back. However, a measured and dominant display from Alvarez last month against Christian Mbilli—which saw Alvarez reclaim his prestigious World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title—has forced the former titleholder and respected analyst to rethink his position entirely.
The journey toward this unexpected shift in sentiment dates back to September 2025, when Terence "Bud" Crawford made the audacious decision to jump up two full weight classes to challenge Alvarez for the undisputed super-middleweight crown. In what many pundits and fans consider a career-defining moment, the American pound-for-pound maestro put on a tactical masterclass to secure a decisive unanimous decision victory over Alvarez, stripping the long-reigning champion of his belts and etching his name even deeper into boxing history.
However, the landscape of the 168-pound division shifted dramatically just a few months after that monumental September clash when Crawford shocked the sporting world by announcing his retirement from professional boxing. With the undefeated American hanging up the gloves and walking away from the sport as a three-division undisputed champion, the WBC was forced to reorganize the division. Christian Mbilli, who had previously held the interim status, was subsequently upgraded to the full WBC super-middleweight champion, setting the stage for a new era in the division.
Despite Crawford’s retirement and his absence from the sport for over a year, rumors and speculation regarding a potential rematch never truly dissipated. Alvarez, fueled by the competitive fire that has defined his illustrious career, has remained outwardly determined to coax the former undisputed king out of retirement to secure a shot at redemption. Yet, for a long time, purists and analysts like Malignaggi viewed the prospect of a rematch with a heavy dose of cynicism, believing that a second fight would serve little sporting purpose beyond a lucrative payday for the parties involved.
That viewpoint, however, underwent a significant evolution following Alvarez’s recent bout against Mbilli. Facing an opponent many expected to give him a severe and punishing test, the Mexican icon instead produced a remarkably disciplined, calculated, and clinical display. By thoroughly outboxing and dismantling the challenger to reclaim the WBC title, Alvarez proved that he is far from a spent force and remains at the absolute elite tier of the sport.
Taking to his official YouTube channel to break down the current state of the super-middleweight division, Malignaggi explained how Alvarez’s latest triumph completely altered his perspective on a prospective Crawford rematch. Rather than viewing a second encounter as a redundant or forced spectacle, the former world champion confessed that his enthusiasm for the matchup has been legitimately reignited.
Reflecting on his previous skepticism, Malignaggi offered candid remarks during his online broadcast, noting that his initial resistance stemmed from a fear that the fight would merely be a cash grab for a reluctant audience.
“The performance against Mbilli makes me a little more interested in a Crawford rematch,” Malignaggi stated on his YouTube channel. “Before, I had no interest in a Bud and Canelo rematch. It was more like you’re forcing it down my throat; you’re doing the rematch for the sake of stealing money.”
The former champion went on to emphasize that the nature of Alvarez’s resurgence is what ultimately bridged the gap in his own evaluation of the fight’s competitive integrity. Seeing Alvarez adapt, overcome, and showcase such sharpness against a dangerous opponent like Mbilli demonstrated that a second chapter against Crawford could still offer compelling tactical intrigue and athletic drama.
Malignaggi further qualified his newfound interest by pointing toward the immediate future of the division, specifically highlighting top contender Lester Martinez as a crucial litmus test for Alvarez’s current capabilities. Martinez has been a notable fixture in the division, famously fighting to a hard-fought draw with Mbilli on the very same undercard that featured the historic initial clash between Alvarez and Crawford.
Following that notable draw, Martinez capitalized on his standing within the weight class by claiming the WBC interim title at 168 pounds. This achievement has positioned the surging contender as the logical and mandatory next obstacle for Alvarez as the veteran champion looks to defend his newly regained belt and maintain his active schedule.
Malignaggi believes that how Alvarez handles a dangerous and hungry contender like Martinez will serve as the ultimate indicator of whether a Crawford rematch deserves full endorsement from the boxing community. If Alvarez can replicate the clinical efficiency and measured dominance he displayed against Mbilli when he eventually shares the ring with Martinez, Malignaggi admitted he will be fully invested in seeing the American superstar return for a shot at history once more.
“Now, because Canelo looked like this against Mbilli, I maybe want to see the Crawford rematch a little bit more,” Malignaggi explained. “If you bring in the Lester Martinez fight, and he’s able to do this to Lester, I’m probably gonna wanna watch the Crawford rematch.”
