THE WORD “superfight” gets thrown around, but every so often we get a match that truly earns the label. Not long ago, the idea of Canelo Alvarez sharing a ring with Terence Crawford was pure fantasy. Yet ambition, legacy and a dash of modern sports science have enabled fighters to climb weight divisions and not just compete, but dominate. Crawford has done exactly that – conquering 135lbs, 140lbs and 147lbs, and winning a belt at 154lbs. But in challenging for Canelo’s undisputed super-middleweight crown, has he taken a step too far?
Boxing News asked over 50 boxing figures to give their prediction for the September 13 showdown.
Adam Booth (Trainer)
Canelo. Size matters. Combined with his incredible ability to get close, with his strength and slickness he’ll create opportunities.
Robert Smith (British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary)
Crawford can bulk up, but can he keep it going for 12 rounds against arguably one of the best boxers there’s ever been? Is Canelo still the same boxer he was a couple of years ago? I have no idea.
Abass Baraou (Super-welterweight)
Crawford is very skilled, but I’m going for Canelo.
Mark Dickinson (Super-middleweight)
Canelo on points. When you’ve got a size advantage on somebody and you’ve got a very high level of boxing IQ, you’re a hard man to beat.
Nathaniel Collins (Featherweight)
Crawford will pull it out of the bag. He’s along the lines of Floyd Mayweather for me. He gets more impressive every time. He’s got all the tools in his arsenal.
Andy Lee (Trainer)
I can’t call it. Two of the best boxers of this generation. I’m just going to enjoy it.
Ben Damon (Commentator)
Canelo on points. Won’t be easy and I expect Crawford’s boxing skills to give him concerns, but Canelo’s size and strength should see him home.
Arnie Farnell (Trainer)
I think Crawford. His size and strength look good, combined with his skill, and he’s not as long in the tooth as Canelo. His feet will be a nightmare for Canelo, just like when he boxed Mayweather.
Darren Barker (Former world champ)
Crawford will set a pace that Canelo has not been used to for a while. I believe Canelo will come on strong late, but Crawford would have done enough in the early-mid rounds to get the nod.
Ishmael Davis (Super-welterweight)
Crawford. I just have a feeling.
Andrew Moloney (Former world champ)
I’ve always been a massive Canelo fan, but I’m tipping Crawford. Canelo has changed his style over the years and tends to throw a very low volume these days. I think Crawford will outwork him.
Frank Warren (Promoter)
Head says Canelo should be too big, but they both aren’t the fighters they were.
Carl Greaves (Promoter)
They say a good big one will always beat a good little one, but these two are very special. Canelo could be too big and strong and overpower Crawford, or Crawford could be fresh and full of energy at the weight. I’m going for the latter – Crawford to win on points.
Duke McKenzie (Former world champ)
I can’t see how Crawford can lose. The question is can he carry the weight and be as effective as he has been in the past? We are looking at an all-time great. Canelo has been a monster in various weight categories; however there is a definite decline in him. Crawford wins via a unanimous decision.
Callum Smith (Light-heavyweight)
I keep changing my mind. Crawford’s speed and movement causes him problems, but natural size plays a part and Canelo wins.
Chris Billam-Smith (Cruiserweight)
I’m going to go with a Crawford win. He boxes a bit like Mayweather with his feet where he drops back and takes the space again – which is how Mayweather beat Canelo. Canelo’s improved a lot since, but I think Crawford’s speed might be a factor, too.
Eddie Lam (Trainer)
As good as Crawford is, I’m thinking surely Canelo will be too big and too strong.
Jazza Dickens (Super-featherweight)
I’ve got to go with Canelo. Just too big. A good big ‘un beats a good little ‘un. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Crawford does it. Crawford’s IQ is unbelievable.
Shane McGuigan (Trainer)
Canelo will win on a close decision. He may even stop Crawford late.
Tony Jeffries (Olympic medallist)
A lot of people say this is a 50-50 fight – if the guys were the same size, it would be. But they’re not. Canelo, on points.
Wayne Alexander (Former British and European champ)
Canelo has declined over the last two-three years, but I still believe his extra size strength, power and experience will get him through to win on points.
Gary Logan (Trainer/Pundit)
It’s 50-50. Crawford is by far the best technician Canelo has faced since Mayweather. Problem for Crawford is that there’s weight divisions for a reason. Canelo’s cunning deception, strength and power causes too many problems for Crawford. Canelo on points.
Isaac Chamberlain (Cruiserweight)
Crawford points win or late stoppage.
Aloys Junior (Cruiserweight)
I’ll say Canelo. He’s too big, too strong, too intelligent. I see him possibly stopping Crawford.
Taylor Bevan (Super-middleweight)
I think Crawford will win on points. Technically, he is a more well-rounded fighter and can adapt very well. Although Canelo is naturally bigger, Crawford still has a slight height and reach advantage, so I think he will be able to outbox him.
Lewis Edmondson (Light-heavyweight)
Crawford will win but the decision will go to Canelo.
Sam Hickey (Middleweight)
Crawford on points – but I change my mind every other day.
Ezra Taylor (Light-heavyweight)
It’s a 60-40 fight for Crawford. I feel like Crawford will win on points. I don’t think anyone’s getting knocked out. Based on recent performances Crawford’s looking like the better boxer. Canelo’s looking like he’s starting to decline. He’s had a lot of fights and it’s taken a lot out of him, I believe.
Steve Wood (Promoter)
I picked Canelo, changed to Crawford and just gone back to Canelo. He may just be too big for him.
Junaid Bostan (Super-welterweight)
If Canelo doesn’t roll back the years, I edge to Crawford on points.
Paddy Donovan (Welterweight)
Crawford. Too much of everything, really, and on their last few performances, Crawford has looked better.
Andy Clarke (Commentator)
From the beginning, I’ve been of the opinion that Crawford can win this, although it will be very tough. I think he is up to the job physically and will just want it that bit more. I do believe the Mexican is past his best. He no longer has the explosivity and ability to change gears he used to have. We’re talking fractions here, but those fractions favour Crawford.
Tony Sims (Trainer)
One of the best fights to make. They’re both exceptional fighters, both brilliant counter punchers and both great thinkers. It’s hard to go against Canelo, even though he’s not at his peak anymore. Size is going to be a factor as I don’t feel Crawford will be able to put a dent in Canelo. It will be a close fight that Canelo will win on points.
Tyrone McKenna (Welterweight)
I’d love to see Crawford do it. I love his attitude and style, but I think he’s moved up too many weight divisions. I see Canelo knocking him out late.
Gary Lockett (Trainer)
The obvious choice would be for the bigger man to be too strong. Crawford’s struggle with Madrimov adds weight to that thought. You cannot doubt the boxing prowess and skills of Crawford, but I’d say the size and strength of Canelo will see him to a points victory.
Gavin Gwynne (Super-lightweight)
It’s going to be a chess match for the first couple of rounds, but Crawford will surprise Canelo with how big he is on fight night and how slippery he is. I’m going for Crawford on points.
Jon Pegg (Trainer)
At first I was heavy into Canelo, but the closer we get, Crawford’s confidence is making me wonder. If I have to choose, I choose Crawford on points.
Kevin Maree (Manager)
It will purely come down to size. Crawford to start great, but eventually Canelo will get to him.
Frazer Clarke (Heavyweight)
This is one of the hardest predictions I’ve ever given. I don’t know if it’s going to be too much of a jump in weight for Crawford. Saying that, Crawford is the most gifted fighter on the planet at the minute, so I’m going to go – against my own logic – for Crawford on points.
John Ryder (Former world title challenger)
Crawford will make it hard, but ultimately Canelo will outwork him.
Izzy Asif (Promoter)
There is no denying the incredible skill of Crawford, and he always seems to find a way to get it done. However, Canelo has the natural size advantage and is extremely tested at the highest level. So, I see Canelo taking a close, possibly controversial, decision.
Johnny Nelson (Former world champion)
Even though Crawford is an outstanding fighter, my gut tells me Canelo will be too strong. He’ll probably catch up to him late and win inside the distance.
Stephen Smith (Trainer)
Canelo on points. His natural size will pay off in a great fight.
Maxi Hughes (Lightweight)
Crawford to take a points win. I think he’ll box, move, stay out the way and pick his moments. For Canelo to win, he’s got to make it rough; use his size and strength. But after all the fights he’s had, I don’t know if he’s got that in him against a fresher Crawford.
Brad Pauls (Super-middleweight)
I feel if it’s close, the judges will favour Canelo. It will be very technical, but I pick Canelo via split decision.
Anthony Yarde (Light-heavyweight)
It’s a 50-50 fight. The only reason I go for Canelo is because of the big weight jump for Crawford. If he was naturally the same weight, he’d edge it. The only person I see beating Canelo in and around the weight is someone taller than him and can throw a lot of punches, similar to what Bivol did.
Joseph Parker (Heavyweight)
Tough fight for both. I would think Canelo because he’s the bigger man, but Crawford is very talented and gifted. I’ll swing towards Crawford, but tough one to call.
Jason Moloney (Bantamweight)
Such an intriguing clash of styles. Crawford may pull this off. As much as I love Canelo, I think Crawford’s slick movement and his accurate, sharp shots will cause a lot of problems.
Mark Neilson (Promoter)
Canelo by UD. Crawford’s skillset is undeniable – slick, sharp, and clever enough to cause anyone problems – but once Canelo finds his range, his shots will begin to slow Crawford’s legs and force him into exchanges he doesn’t want. Crawford’s class ensures he’ll remain competitive, but over 12 rounds the bigger man’s strength should prove too much.
Josh Padley (Super-featherweight)
I love Canelo as a fighter but I think Crawford will be able to adapt more.
Harlem Eubank (Welterweight)
I’ve got Crawford. It’s gonna be a tough fight for him. I feel like he’s the fresher guy and got more motivation to win. I feel like he’s got the variety and the skillset to overcome what Canelo has to offer.
Archie Sharp (Lightweight)
Hard one to call. I’m really on the fence for this fight. I’ve got a feeling Crawford will pull it off. A close points win Crawford.
Denzel Bentley (Middleweight)
I’m going with Crawford. He has a different mentality to Canelos last five opponents and has a better skillset. The only worrying thing is if he can take the physicality of Canelo but Crawford has the ability to adjust to any style. I think he’ll find the style he needs early on in the fight and win on points.
Jason Cunningham (Trainer)
Initially, I said Canelo because a good big man beats a good little man. It’s an elite fight with two of the best fighters in the world. I see a close fight if Crawford performs with the extra weight. I’m gonna go with a draw.
Bradley Rea (Light-heavyweight)
I was backing Crawford for ages but I think Canelo’s size advantage is just going to be too much in the end.
Jack Massey (Cruiserweight)
I’m going with Canelo just because he’s the bigger man. The size difference will play a big part.
THE SCORE
CANELO – 28 PICKS
CRAWFORD – 25 PICKS
UNDECIDED – 3 PICKS
