Terence Crawford looks ahead to a fight with fellow four-division champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and he’s not shy about explaining why he thinks it’s the defining legacy moment in boxing. He laid it all out during the World Boxing Council convention and spelled out why fans should tune in and take notice.
As Crawford puts it, “That’s why the fight has to happen so there can be all the answers to the questions everyone’s asking.” He is aware of the size and strength advantage Canelo brings, but he refuses to be intimidated: “Canelo is the bigger, stronger fighter, he has a lot of experience just like me, he’s been around for a long time. I have the speed, the movement, long arms, was about the same height, so that’s why it’s an interesting fight.”
Crawford attributes his versatility to deep preparation: “I think it’s me training so hard and so long to study the sport of boxing. That way, if I need it, I have it. If I don’t, then it is what it is, so I just practice what I preach. I don’t know what style I will fight Canelo, I just know I will fight him.” He is nothing if not confident, jokingly revealing that he is not interested in losing: “Yes, I always want to win. If I’m competing against someone, I want to do it all the way and not just do it for fun.”
And if Canelo isn’t wild? Crawford shrugged: “We’re looking forward to the Canelo fight happening. If it does… if it doesn’t, good luck to Canelo. He’s a tremendous champion … he has the right to pick and choose who he wants to fight.” Even injury concerns don’t bother him: “It is what it is. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
He also won’t underestimate Canelo’s speed: “I’m not going to count on him being slow. For me to beat Canelo would be one of the greatest achievements in boxing history. So, I’m looking to leave a legacy that will be talked about for ages to come.” Assessing historical comparisons, he is succinct: “Donny Lalonde was not the level of Canelo Alvarez … so … these are two different fights.”
