Just weeks out from his super middleweight bow, Terence Crawford has been offered some words of warning by a veteran head coach.
Fresh from his light middleweight title victory last year, the undefeated Terence Crawford will challenge for the undisputed super middleweight crown, taking on Jalisco veteran and fan-favorite puncher Canelo Alvarez.
A seasoned welterweight star — where he held the undisputed divisional title also — Crawford will look to repeat the success his incoming foe Canelo did in the past with his leap to the light heavyweight limit in pursuit of gold.
However, a veteran head coach has lauded Crawford’s ability, but voiced his concern for the Omaha native in his pairing with super middleweight kingpin Canelo.
Abel Sanchez is unsure if Terence Crawford is big enough to beat Canelo Alvarez
More than familiar with preparing a fighter to share the ring with Canelo, veteran Mexican coach Abel Sanchez trained former world champion Gennady Golovkin for his infamous series with the Guadalajara pugilist during his esteemed career.
And weighing in on Crawford’s chances of toppling Canelo — who is unbeaten at the super middleweight limit in his career — Sanchez suggested the challenger has already made one sizeable mistake in his pre-fight preparations.
“If he (Terence Crawford) had taken three or four years like Canelo (Alvarez) did and built up not only his strength but his bulk in a correct way, he would’ve had a better chance,” Sanchez told The Ring.
“To do it in the 14, 15 months he’s done it in, it’s going to be tough.
“Crawford is going to be a lot slower because of the weight, also.”
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Hopeful of his chances of success against Canelo, undefeated former welterweight champion Crawford has issued a rather interesting challenge to the defending gold holder.
Terence Crawford urges Canelo Alvarez to ‘step it up’ in title clash
Receiving some sizeable criticizm for his light middleweight bow a year ago, Crawford cruised to a dominant win over Israil Madrimov in the Middle East.
Akin to Crawford, the undisputed super middleweight gold holder Canelo came under fire for his victory against William Scull just earlier this year.
And hoping to turn in a more fan-friendly showing in Las Vegas next month, Crawford has urged Canelo to follow his lead and “step up” his approach and activity for the showdown.