Boots Ennis issues warning to Terence Crawford ahead of imminent Canelo Alvarez fight

With the imminent showdown in September between two pound-for-pound titans, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, the boxing world has been set ablaze with anticipation.

The prospect of seeing these generational talents collide at 168 pounds in a bout that could define an era is undeniably compelling. However, not everyone shares the same unreserved enthusiasm for this potential contest.

One particularly cautious voice is that of Jaron “Boots” Ennis, a rising star in the welterweight division, who is currently preparing for his own challenge this weekend against Eimantas Stanionis. Despite his focus on the upcoming bout, Ennis took a moment to express his reservations regarding the potential clash between Crawford and Canelo, suggesting that “Bud” might be biting off more than he can chew.

Ennis’ warning

In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Ennis raised a red flag over Crawford’s decision to jump up two weight divisions to face Álvarez. “I think Crawford should take a warm-up fight at 160 just to feel what it’s like against a bigger guy,” Ennis advised, emphasizing the importance of gradually adjusting to the difference in size and power.

Jaron Ennis reacts after defeating Thomas Dulorme in a welterweight bout at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ennis won the fight with a first-round knockout. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Ennis’ concerns center largely on the power factor, especially at super middleweight. “Canelo’s been at that weight for a while. He’s been pinning big guys out. Crawford’s smaller, and Canelo be dropping dudes that come in at like 200 pounds on fight night,” Ennis explained, highlighting Canelo’s punching power and experience against naturally bigger opponents.

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Can Crawford really beat Canelo?

The fundamental question remains: can Crawford’s elite skill neutralize Canelo’s elite size and power? Crawford is widely regarded as one of the most technically refined boxers of his generation. However, stepping directly into a bout with Canelo would leave him little margin for error, especially against a seasoned and powerful champion at 168 pounds.