Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford II: There's no other choice

My first reaction to hearing Canelo Alvarez has told Mexico’s TV Azteca that he’s planning a rematch with Terence Crawford was likely the same as so many others: Why waste your time?

In a career-defining showing in September, Crawford out-moved, out-thought and out-classed the naturally heavier Alvarez to answer fully who ranked as the best fighter of their decade-plus era of dominance.

On second thought, the fact that the outcome doesn’t sit well with Alvarez is actually quite refreshing.

(OK, Canelo critics, this is your chance to argue a second fight is only another money grab by the four-division champion who turned his back on deserved super-middleweight contender David Benavidez and selected the lesser, lighter types of John Ryder, Jermell Charlo, Jamie Munguia and Edgar Berlanga).

Point taken.

Yet, having witnessed Alvarez’s dedication to training and lifelong commitment to the sport, I lean to the opinion there is some old-school pride at play here, a fierce desire to return to the lab, to explore where the first fight went wrong and to retake the mantle from Crawford.

Will it happen? The fact that most of us want to say no, and doubt this decorated top pay-per-view fighter of his era adds significant intrigue to the occasion of the rematch.

First, Alvarez has to heal up from left elbow surgery in October, as his traditional Cinco de Mayo weekend date will likely be taken over by a worthy successor.

Then, he has to go back to the gym with the effects of that defeat coursing through his mind and work to solve the riddle of the gifted, double-handed power puncher Crawford, who has never lost.

It makes for amazing boxing theater.

Everything is on the line – reputation, legacy, pride.

Upon final consideration, Alvarez had no choice to head down this road.

He’s either going to reclaim the title of what was his so long – the face of boxing – or cede it to the dedicated Nebraskan who showed him up two months ago.