Salita eyes a front-row seat as Canelo-Crawford clash looms; Shishkin primed for IBF eliminator
Former fighter turned promoter Dmitriy Salita says he’ll be an interested observer when the sport’s spotlight turns to the highly anticipated showdown between undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, set for September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and available on Netflix.
Salita’s attention isn’t limited to the main event. He promotes Vladimir Shishkin, who is positioned as the IBF’s mandatory challenger to the winner. Shishkin faces Osleys Iglesias in an IBF title eliminator on September 4 at the Montreal Casino in Canada, with the winner advancing toward the championship surface after the Canelo-Crawford result.
“Crawford vs. Canelo is a real pick ’em fight, which is why there’s so much discussion around it,” Salita said. “Some days I give the edge to Crawford based on his boxing IQ, his tools, and his versatility. But it’s a big deal for him to move up so far in weight. Other days, I fall back on the rule that a good big man can beat a good little man. Canelo has spent a long time at 168 and has shown some of his strongest performances there.”
Salita praised Crawford as a superb, smart technician and noted Canelo’s proven power and strength at 168. He framed the bout as a strategic contest: if Crawford can stay off the ropes, control the middle of the ring, and prevent Canelo from imposing his size, he could have a strong path to victory. If Canelo can impose his physical advantages and pressure in a more compact space, he could tilt the balance.
While Salita’s analysis mixes respect and optimism for Crawford, his own business reads a clear timeline: Shishkin’s fate as the mandatory challenger could hinge on the winner of Canelo-Crawford, pending the results of his September 4 eliminator.
Oddsmakers currently favor Alvarez. DraftKings lists Alvarez as the -185 favorite, with Crawford at +145.
Why this matters beyond the headline bout: the result will shape the near-term direction of the 168-pound division, with Shishkin awaiting the next title shot after the September eliminator. The clash between Alvarez and Crawford represents a rare bridge between eras and styles, a genuine showcase for boxing’s ability to blend power, IQ, and ring craft on a global stage.
Summary: The Canelo-Crawford showdown promises a high-profile, tactical battle with a potential ripple effect for Salita’s client, Shishkin, as the IBF mandatory challenger, who will be watching closely as the landscape at 168 pounds shifts after the September eliminator. The betting public presently leans toward Alvarez, adding another layer of intrigue to what could be one of the sport’s defining nights. A hopeful takeaway is that the bout can elevate the profile of top contenders like Shishkin while delivering a memorable, edge-of-the-seat spectacle for fans.