Legacy on the line: Canelo and Crawford vie for boxing immortality

Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KO) against Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KO) is finally on us. Two of the best boxers of this generation will decrease in front of more than 70,000 fans at the Allegiant Stage in Las Vegas. A global audience will turn in in Netflix and see the stone of a legendary career, but whose? Which man will overcome on September 13?

Both of these men are future Hall of Famers. None of the people were beaten in a joint 765 career professional. Each was a world champion in four different weight classes. Canelo kept belts from junior middleweight (154 pounds) to light heavyweight (175 pounds). Meanwhile, Crawford has collected belts from lightweight (135 pounds) to junior middleweight (154 pounds).

Any explanation of the Canelo vs. Crawford fighting functions that occur on the super-middle weight and the weight restriction of 168 pounds. As you have heard, Terence Crawford has never fought in this weight class. His last battle in August 2024 against Israel Madrimov was the only time in his career to fight at a weight of more than 147 pounds. Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez has settled in the Super Middeeight Division; The attack against Crawford will be Canelo’s twelfth battle in this weight class. Those who believe that Canelo will win Alvarez have their choice of old boxing charges here; There are weight classes for a reason, a good big man always beats a good little man, or whatever.

Some observers criticized Crawford for not fighting 168 pounds until he adopted Canelo Alvarez. How can he know how the power of a super -middle weight feels without fighting a super -middle weight? Terence Crawford used a different approach. Crawford wanted this fight against Canelo for a long time. He knew he would have to transform his body to make it happen. After the Madrimov battle thirteen months ago, Crawford trained with coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, and trained power with the Super Middleweight Division. With Canelo Alvarez in mind.

Crawford said he would stand and trade with Canelo on Saturday night. Alvarez is frustrated with the recent opponents’ reluctance to trade bumps with him. Canelo says, “Once (Crawford) feels the power, it will be the same.”

Canelo Alvarez is not the only one frustrated with the recent opponents of Canelo Alvarez. Boxing fans have criticized Alvarez lately for not fighting the best competition. David Banavidez decided to move to the light heavyweight section rather than waiting for Canelo to agree to fight against him. The last six fights that Canelo Alvarez had were against William Scull, Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo, John Ryder and a 40-year-old Gennady Golovkin.

Terence Crawford rightly receives more criticism of his career resume than Canelo Alvarez. But since Canelo lost a unanimous decision to the current undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitri Bivol in May 2022, Boxing’s cash cow was satisfied with the earnings of a big salary and did not challenge himself as he was earlier in his career. Alvarez can learn from the only other man who defeated him, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and he tries to maximize his financial earnings before retiring. Or maybe Canelo and coach Eddy Reynoso realize that his skills are not as sharp as they once were.

Canelo Alvarez is 35 years old, while Terence Crawford turns 38 at the end of the month. But despite being born to Crawford for almost three years, Canelo Alvarez is much older in boxing years. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez became a professional boxer in October 2005, almost twenty years ago. Alvarez had another 26 pro fights as Crawford.

In addition to being used to the Super Middleweweight Division, the other undisputed benefit that Canelo Alvarez owns is his experience in major fighting environments. This game is the twentieth time Canelo fought in Las Vegas. Allegiant Stadium will be the third NFL stadium that Canelo had in the forefront.

When Terence Crawford fought Errol Spence, it was a big Vegas fight. But this fight against Canelo Alvarez, in a stadium of 70,000 seats in Las Vegas, which is broadcast on Netflix worldwide, is another order of size. Crawford is usually ominous and is likely to thrive under the bright lights. But with Canelo Alvarez, we have evidence that he will thrive under pressure.

One of the questions on which this battle hangs is what kind of impact all the major battles had that Canelo had. Give his experience in big fights and give everything in a boxing ring an edge in the difficult moments of the action? Or has all these battles reduced Alvarez to the point that his body cannot perform his mind?

A big subplot in the run -up to the battle was Canelo Alvarez, which Jaron “Boots” recruited after his training camp to mimic Crawford’s style in preparation for the struggle (along with Cuban middleweight Yoenli Hernandez). The two are proficient in calling views and striking with both hands, the most important components of Crawford’s unique style.

Crawford considers it a compliment and says: “(Canelo) is fighting against the best fighter in the world – he has to take it better. It is going to show how serious he takes me, how much he respects me. Because if I didn’t fight me, if I was too small, the media would say that I would not be needed.”

The Gambit can help Canelo on Fight Night, but sparring partners can only help as much. If it was easy to fight like Terence Crawford, everyone would.

People often try to make historical comparisons to fights from the past as they envisage how a fight will turn out. Will this battle look like Jermell Charlo against Canelo Alvarez, a talented fighter who moves two weight classes just to surpass through a more experienced Alvarez? Or will it look like Manny Pacquiao against Oscar de la Hoya, a talented fighter who dominated lower weight classes and moved up two divisions to upset an outdated Mexican superstar?

The key to the fight is the great advantage, and if it can be used effectively, not the weight benefit. Terence Crawford has a 3.5-inch-reach advantage over Canelo Alvarez. The easiest way not to be hit by a larger man is to keep him at a striking distance. Crawford can use its length and speed benefit to control the fight and frustrate Canelo. In some rounds, Canelo tends to be inactive, which Crawford can give an opening.

When Dmitri Biblical Canelo defeated Alvarez, he dominated the battle with his Power Jab. Dmitri Bivol had a smaller reach benefit over Canelo than Crawford has. The big warning is that Bivol has more power than Crawford figures to own at 168. But Crawford can use his speed and reflexes to stay out of reach and hope his body holds the power of Canelo.

Canelo Alvarez against Terence Crawford will be an incredible spectacle and a tremendous struggle. Canelo is a modest favorite, about -180, depending on your sports book. A win for Canelo Alvarez strengthens his case for the best Mexican boxer ever. A Terence Crawford victory would make him the only male boxer who was the undisputed champion in three different weight classes in the four-band era.

My prediction for Saturday night is that Canelo Alvarez will win according to decision. I believe he will win seven of twelve rounds, 115-113. I think he will do just enough to win the fight on at least two judges’ scorecards. It will be an exciting battle. There will be controversy and debate on the standings. Ten millions of people will be watched. It will be at its best box.