As anticipation builds for the September 13 superfight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, former super middleweight champion David Benavidez has shared his thoughts on the high-stakes bout. While the venue remains unconfirmed, excitement is already sweeping the boxing world.
Canelo and Crawford are regarded as two of the most decorated fighters of their generation. Both have claimed world titles across four weight classes. Crawford boasts the rare feat of having held undisputed status at both junior welterweight (140 lbs) and welterweight (147 lbs), while Canelo has twice unified the super middleweight division.
Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry podcast, Benavidez offered a nuanced view of the matchup, acknowledging that “if anybody has a chance to beat Canelo, it’s Terence Crawford.” He praised Crawford’s intelligence in the ring and noted his ability to adapt and fight at an elite level.
“His IQ is on another level. He’s a great fighter and he’s strong,” Benavidez said. “But it’s a lot of weight. At 154 he didn’t struggle, but he still took some good shots. You could tell the power was different.”
Terence Crawford, Turki Al-Sheikh and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (L-R) after the super middleweight fight on the Fatal Fury City of Wolves card at ANB Arena on May 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Acknowledging the dog in Crawford
Benavidez emphasized that Crawford has repeatedly proven himself when tested against top-tier opposition: “When he went up against the highest level of opposition, he showed what (expletive) level he’s at, what type of dog he is.”
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He Added: “You’re fighting a strong fighter like Canelo. I wouldn’t be surprised if Terence Crawford wins, I wouldn’t be surprised if he loses either.“
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Benavidez didn’t hesitate to express interest in welcoming ‘Bud’ to the 168-pound division himself. A potential showdown between Crawford and Benavidez could add another major chapter to the super middleweight landscape, especially if Crawford emerges victorious in September.
