The highly anticipated bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, set for September 13 in Las Vegas, continues to spark intense debate across the boxing world. Crawford is moving up in weight again to challenge one of the sport’s most established champions, and not everyone is convinced the transition will be seamless.
One of the voices weighing in is Christian Mbilli, the current WBC No. 1 contender at super middleweight. With an eye on how weight and style may impact the outcome, Mbilli offered a measured but telling perspective on the upcoming clash. While he acknowledged the skill of both men, his focus leaned on the physical realities of the matchup.
“I was not very impressed with Crawford’s last fight [Israil Madrimov],” Mbilli told Fight Hub. “My favorite is Canelo because he’s bigger, and we’re going to see if Crawford is going to use the same strategy as Scull, but with more punches. But Canelo’s weight is bigger, and the weight will make the difference.”
Concerns over Crawford’s power and style at 168
Mbilli wasn’t shy about raising concerns regarding Crawford’s ability to carry power and effectiveness into a higher weight class. Crawford’s last appearance against Israil Madrimov at 154 pounds left many observers, including Mbilli, underwhelmed. Meanwhile, Canelo’s recent showing against William Scull also failed to impress, but Mbilli sees a key advantage in Canelo’s natural size and physicality.
Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford attend the Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford Press Conference during Fanatics Fest at Javits Center on June 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix)
“I don’t think it’ll be the same with Crawford [fighting like Scull],” Mbilli added. “It’ll be bad for boxing if Canelo-Crawford makes the same fight. He [Canelo] can knock him out. He can stop him.”
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Despite doubts, Crawford is expected to come in with a strategic game plan similar to what Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dmitry Bivol employed: hit, move, and avoid exchanges. But Mbilli pointed out that against a puncher like Canelo—who excels at counter-punching and blocking shots—it may only take “one good shot” to end things.
A risky climb for the 37-year-old Crawford
Age and size could both be working against Crawford. At 37, and having fought the majority of his career between 135 and 147 pounds, his ability to handle the physical toll of facing a full-fledged 168-pounder like Canelo is in question. His performance against Madrimov left some fans concerned about whether his power has translated at even 154, let alone the super middleweight division.
Mbilli was asked whether he would be shocked to see Crawford pull off the upset: “A little bit,” he admitted. Still, many fans continue to back Crawford based on his past dominance in lighter divisions and his unmatched boxing IQ.
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While Crawford’s legacy speaks volumes, the real test will come on fight night, when skill meets size in a clash that could redefine the landscape of boxing’s elite.
