FORMER trainer Teddy Atlas has no doubts who will win the September 13 super-fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
The outspoken commentator, analyst, and podcast host attended last night’s card at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, where Hamzah Sheeraz emphatically stopped Edgar Berlanga in the main event.
Atlas, 68, was full of praise for Sheeraz afterward and believes the WBC super-middleweight mandatory challenger will only get better after securing the biggest win of his career.
Canelo vs Sheeraz could become a reality in 2026, provided the undisputed champion comes through against fellow modern-day great and multi-weight titleholder Terence Crawford in 63 days’ time. But Atlas, famed for his work with Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer, and Timothy Bradley, doesn’t believe Canelo will still be holding all the belts come September 13.
During an interview with Boxing News following last night’s action in Queens, Atlas was asked for his prediction.
“I like Crawford. I liked him all along. I’ve always liked him, I think he’s special,” he said.
Crawford will be aiming to become a five-weight world champion and a three-time undisputed champion – an unprecedented feat. The 37-year-old will have been out of the ring for 13 months by fight night. One month after becoming WBA super-welterweight champion by defeating Israil Madrimov, Canelo returned to the ring with a win over Edgar Berlanga. In May, he regained undisputed status at 168lbs by beating William Scull.
Atlas explained why he’s picking Crawford to hand Canelo the third loss of his career.
“It’s because of the subtle things. We know he’s got speed, we know he’s got power – I think he carries it up. He’s got boxing IQ, he’s got good technique, he adapts well – we all know that.
“But he’s got the intangibles. He’s got the X-factor, the things you can’t quantify, the things you can’t measure on paper. You can’t just point and say, ‘Oh, it’s timing,’ or ‘It’s supreme confidence.’ He’s got the ability to see things in a very difficult environment just before someone else sees it. And that’s what allows him to have such precise timing.”
