Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford is looming ever closer to its September 13th date, but who will win?
Despite Terence Crawford taking on much of the risk in moving up two weight divisions to face Canelo Alvarez, the fight is still considered by many to be close, or even fifty-fifty.
Some point out that Canelo’s career seems to be winding down, with the Mexican star unable to stop any of his opponents, which pale in caliber to some of those earlier in his career, since 2021, while others suggest Canelo’s power will simply be too much for Bud to take.
The fight, which will be broadcast on Netflix, has everyone talking, from fans to fighters, and many have had their say.
Below are a series of predictions from The Ring, from former world champions, trainers, and boxing icons:
Roy Jones Jr.
The legendary Roy Jones Jr. disregards the Crawford/Canelo size difference entirely, instead focusing on each man’s skills and talents,
“If Canelo fights the absolute correct fight that he can fight, the only correct fight that he can fight, he does have a chance, and I think he could be victorious. If he doesn’t fight the one way he should to win, Terence Crawford has six ways he can win.”
Disregarding weight concerns, Jones said, “He bulked up to the weight. He’s been dealing with super-middleweights and light-heavyweights in training. If you can deal with them in training, you can deal with them in the fight.”
Prediction: Terence Crawford
Amir Khan
Amir Khan is the only man to have faced both Crawford and Canelo, as Canelo’s KO of Khan lives on as one of the best knockouts in history.
Having shared the ring with both men, Khan was hesitant to cast an official prediction as his mind keeps swaying, though he did say of the fight,
“I think Canelo has the size advantage but I’ve always said Crawford puts on the weight well. […] It is a proper 50/50 fight. […] Crawford looks unbeatable.”
Prediction: Unsure
Hamzah Sheeraz
A man who could get the Canelo fight next is British fighter Hamzah Sheeraz, who knocked out Edgar Berlanga last time out, doing something Canelo was unable to.
Sheeraz is watching the fight with a keen eye, as he could be next in line for the winner.
“I’ve got Canelo winning, I’ve got him winning the fight.”
Prediction: Canelo Alvarez
Dmitry Bivol
One of just two men to have handed Canelo a loss, Dmitry Bivol gave his thoughts on the fight,
“First reaction, of course, was about the size of Crawford, is it okay for him to move up two weight classes? Probably not. But then I saw him in Dubai maybe a month ago and I thought, ‘He’s big’. He has very good skills […] He is able to win this fight, but there is a lot of buts… a lot of small things.”
Bivol also spoke on the importance of mentality, though did not give a conclusive prediction, believing both men have a solid chance.
Prediction: Unsure
Carl Frampton
Former world champion, ‘The Jackal’ Carl Frampton, had this to say on the upcoming fight,
“I believe he can beat Canelo, I genuinely do. I think he’s a very special fighter, as is Canelo, but I just do think Canelo’s maybe slightly on the slide. […] Stay on the outside, he can do that. We all know Crawford can box his way to landslide points victories, potentially may not be the most exciting fight in the world but I think Canelo’s feet are slower than they used to be and trying to hunt Crawford down may be an issue for him.”
Prediction: Terence Crawford