LOS ANGELES – Canelo Alvarez considers himself the face of boxing.

Upcoming opponent and pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford agrees.

“I've been a fan of Canelo for years,” Crawford told The Ring during an extensive and exclusive interview. “I just look at all of his fights as great. Without one, there wouldn't be another. Each fight is defining, to take you to the next level. Each champion is a challenge, to take you to the next level. I'm not going to dismiss any fighter he ever fought because all of them have placed him in a position that he is right now, and that is the face of boxing.”

All signs point to Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) and Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) meeting for a matchup in a super fight slated for September that could be for the undisputed 168-pound title, if Alvarez beats William Scull on May 3.

After several agonizing years of waiting to land meaningful fights, Crawford has landed back-to-back fights to further his legacy. In 2023, Crawford crushed Errol Spence Jr. for a one-sided stoppage win. In August, he became a four-division titleholder by beating Israil Madrimov for the 154-pound WBA belt he now holds.

“As people, we always want things when we want them,” said Crawford. “But when it's time, that's when God lets the light shine on you. I just bought my time and stayed patient and as active as possible and kept winning. I still have a lot of doubters and a lot of hate but at the same time, I get my just due. It's beautiful.”

Just don’t expect Crawford to take a fight in the interim for the sake of staying busy.

"I am just clearly focused on one individual right now, and that is Canelo – and only Canelo,” said Crawford. “Just train. Get my body right and get used to the weight, to the size, getting stronger.”

Crawford recently posted a photo indicating he was 186 pounds.

He didn’t guarantee the method, but a win is the only thing he envisions.

“A victory in Terence Crawford's favor,” he said. “C'mon, man. I'm the best.”