Terence Crawford dares to be big by essentially setting up three weight divisions to fight the undisputed super -middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The former undisputed welterweight champion made a small pit stop on his way to his performance with Canelo by fighting Israel Madrimov on August 4 last year for the Junior Middleweight WBA (World) and WBO (interim) titles. Crawford was the victory by unanimous decision, but the match was much closer than expected. Crawford exceeded Madrimov in 7 rounds and in 4 of the rounds he exceeded him with only a punch. Madrimov was the more efficient puncher, with 30.5 percent of its total push, of which 65 is in force (Compubox).
On September 13, Crawford will test himself and try to become legendary by becoming the first undisputed three-division champion. Throughout history, there were many boxers who dared to be big by testing their limits. Mikey Garcia is one of them. Similar to Crawford, he went up in weight to the IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. For the match to challenge, Mikey has gone from lightweight to welter weight. Garcia, a four-division champion, did have a small lead on Super Lightweight and defeated IBF champion Sergey Lipinet before returning to lightweight to unite the IBF and WBC titles against Robert Easter Jr., although Mikey made a brave effort, he was defeated by the bigger, more strongly.
Mikey was asked to compare his experience and how he viewed the battle between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. ‘Many other situations, different opponents, different styles of battles. It’s not … it’s not. I can’t really compare the battle completely, you know, side by side, but it does face challenges. You know, every time we move in weight, fighters are bigger, of course bigger. They can take a larger punch. Um, they can also give a better sponge. Not as aggressive.
The biggest question is whether Crawford will remain in the bag against Canelo. Because of the possible weight difference of weight and strength, he can rather choose to do what many Canelo opponents do, who move through the ring and use lateral movement. Jermell Charlo, the former undisputed junior welterweight champion, chose this strategy against Canelo when he came up with two weight classes almost two years ago to encounter Alvarez. Crawford said he intended to involve much more than Charlo did. Mikey believes Crawford can win with boxing, when asked how he would beat Canelo if he is Crawford, he said: ‘Box, Box, Counter Punch, Box, Switch … You know from left -handed to right handed. Just make it complicated for … for Canelo and you, a decision. ‘ Mikey believes Crawford should use all his skills to win, contact views, give Canelo different look and boxing on the outside. He does not think Crawford has the power to strike Canelo, but he does have the skill to give him a decision.
Mikey Garcia
Last updated on 07/24/2025
