Canelo Alvarez will walk through Terence Crawford, and the fight will not be as close as some believe.
The bout, set for Sept. 13 during Mexican Independence weekend, is billed as the money fight. It continues a run of super fights in Saudi Arabia promoted by Turki Alalshikh, who has played a major role in boxing’s recent boom.
Crawford is moving up 14 pounds to face Alvarez. Many predict Crawford will win by decision, but Alvarez’s style poses unique problems. Crawford’s counterpunching depends on taking a punch to land one, a risky strategy against Alvarez, who has scored 39 knockouts in 61 wins. Crawford has 31 knockouts in 40 victories, but all at lighter weights.
Crawford has the edge in pure skill. He dominated Errol Spence Jr. last year, cementing his place as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound best. He is also slightly taller at 5-foot-8 compared to Alvarez’s 5-7, with a reach advantage of 74 inches to 70. But Alvarez has faced bigger men his entire career, including Callum Smith, who stands 6-foot-3, and Jermall Charlo, a natural middleweight.
Alvarez remains one of the sport’s best defensive fighters. His head movement and footwork are not flawless, but they are superior to what Crawford has faced at lower weights. His chin has been tested and proven, most notably in his trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin, where he absorbed some of the hardest punches of the modern era.
Alvarez has also been sparring with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who can replicate Crawford’s switch-hitting style. Over the years Alvarez has evolved from a young brawler to a calculated counterpuncher, comfortable taking shots and responding with power.
Some compare this fight to Alvarez’s loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2013. But Mayweather is one of the greatest counterpunchers ever, and Alvarez was 23 then, still raw despite 40 professional fights. Now 34, he is seasoned, tested, and still at the top of the sport.
Crawford is stepping into dangerous territory. Alvarez has made a career out of derailing hype trains, and this fight should be no different. The Mexican star will once again show why he belongs among boxing’s elite.
