Three months ahead of their blockbuster showdown, Terence Crawford made one thing clear—he expects to face the best version of Canelo Alvarez when they meet in Las Vegas this fall.
The two pound-for-pound stars are set to collide on Saturday, September 13, at Allegiant Stadium, where Canelo will defend his undisputed super-middleweight championship. The fight was formally confirmed in May when both fighters shared the ring for a face-off following Canelo’s unanimous decision win over William Scull.
Canelo, who has now won six straight fights by decision, has drawn some criticism from analysts who claim he may be slowing down. But Crawford isn’t buying it.
Does Crawford think Canelo has lost a step?
In a recent interview with Carl Froch, Crawford was asked directly whether he believes the Mexican champion is past his best. His answer left no room for doubt. “I wouldn’t say that. I just feel like, you know, it just takes certain fighters to motivate other fighters… like you’re waking up the sleeping giant,” Crawford explained.
Canelo Alvarez speaks ahead of his September 13 clash with Terence Crawford. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
“The fights that he’s been fighting, he’s just like ‘Oh, these guys.’ But I think him knowing the caliber of fighter that I am is going to push him to rise to the occasion, so I’m looking to fight the best Canelo Alvarez there is.” The statement signals Crawford’s full respect for his opponent—even amid doubts from the wider boxing community.
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History on the line for ‘Bud’
The bout represents a massive challenge for Crawford, who will be moving up two full weight classes to face Canelo at 168 lbs. The 37-year-old Omaha native has spent most of his career dominating the welterweight and super-lightweight divisions.
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But with a win, he could achieve a feat never seen before in men’s boxing history: becoming the first fighter to win undisputed world titles in three weight classes. He previously unified all four major belts at 140 lbs and again at 147 lbs. With legacy and history at stake, the Las Vegas showdown promises to be one of the biggest fights in recent memory.
