Legacy on the line: Canelo and Crawford Vie for the immortality of boxing

Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 ko) vs. Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 ko) is finally on us. Two of the best boxers of this generation will be able to square in front of more than 70,000 enthusiasts in the Allegant Stadium de las Vegas. A worldwide audience will tune in to Netflix and attend the tombstone of a legendary career, but who? Which man will be victorious on September 13?

Both men are the future Hall of Fampers. Neither of them has been demolished in a total of 765 professional career rounds. Each has been the world champion in four different classes of weight. Canelo has kept the belts ranging from the middle junior weight (154 pounds) to a light heavy weight (175 pounds). In the meantime, Crawford has accumulated belts from light (135 pounds) to a half junior weight (154 pounds).

Any breakdown of the fight against Canelo vs Crawford focuses on its medium weight surface and its weight limit of 168 pounds. As you have heard, Terence Crawford has never fought in this class of weight. His last struggle in August 2024 against Israil Madrimov was the only time he has fought a weight above 147 pounds. In the meantime, Canelo Alvarez has settled in the Super Medium Division; The fight against Crawford will be the twelfth struggle of Canelo in this class of weight. Those who believe that Canelo Alvarez will win their selection of old boxing adaptations here; There are weight classes for a reason, a good older man always beats a good little man or anything else.

Some observers have criticized Crawford for not fighting the 168 pounds before taking Canelo Alvarez. How can you know how the power of a medium weight is feeling without fighting a half weight? Terence Crawford has adopted a different approach. Crawford has long wanted this fight against Canelo. He knew he should transform his body to make it a reality. After the struggle of Madrimov thirteen months ago, Crawford, with coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, has been training and building strength with the division of the Super Media. Given Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford has stated that it will remain and trade with Canelo on Saturday night. Alvarez has been frustrated with the lack of will of recent adversaries to trade with him. Canelo says: “So soon (Crawford) being the power, it will be the same.”

Canelo Alvarez is not the only frustrated with the recent opponents of Canelo Alvarez. Boxing fans have recently criticized Alvarez for not fighting the best competition. David Benavidez decided to move to the lightweight heavyweight division instead of waiting for Canelo to accept fighting him. The last six fights that Canelo Alvarez has had were against William Scull, Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo, John Ryder and a 40 -year -old Gennady Golovkin.

Terence Crawford receives more criticism for his career curriculum than Canelo Alvarez. But since Canelo lost a unanimous decision by Dmitry Bivol, an indisputable lightweight heavy weight champion, in May 2022, the boxing cow has been settled with a great salary and not challenged as it has been before his career. Alvarez could be learning from the only other man to defeat him, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and trying to maximize his financial earnings before withdrawing. Or maybe, Canelo and coach Eddy Reynoso realize that their skills are not as sharp as before.

Canelo Alvarez is 35 years old, while Terence Crawford will turn 38 at the end of the month. But despite being born almost three years after Crawford, Canelo Alvarez is much larger in the boxing years. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez became a professional boxer in October 2005, almost twenty years ago. Alvarez has had 26 more professional fights than Crawford.

Apart from being used to the middle weight division, the other indisputable advantage that Canelo Alvarez has is his experience in the great struggle environments. This attack will be the twentieth time that Canelo has fought in Las Vegas. The stadium alleging will be the third stage of the NFL directed by Canelo.

When Terence Crawford fought against Errol Spence, it was a great struggle for Vegas. But this fight against Canelo Alvarez, at a 70,000 -place stadium in Las Vegas, world -broadcast on Netflix, is a different order of magnitude. Crawford is usually inflatable and will probably bloom under bright lights. But with Canelo Alvarez, we have evidence that will prosper under the pressure.

One of the questions that struggles is the type of impact that all the great fights that Canelo has had. His experience in great fights and having seen -everything in a boxing ring provides Canelo an advantage in the times of testing of the action? Or all these battles have decreased Alvarez to the point where his body cannot execute what his mind runs?

A great subplot in the fight struggle has been Canelo Alvarez recruiting Jaron “Boots” Ennis in his training field to mimic the Crawford style in preparation for the fight (along with the Cuban average weight Yoenli Hernandez). The two are able to change the positions and punch with both hands, key components of the unique style of Crawford.

Crawford considers it a fulfillment, saying: “ (Canelo) is fighting the best fighter in the world; it is better to take it seriously. This shows the seriousness I take, how much I respect me. Because if I have not fought against anyone, if I was too small, all this says that the media say that I am, I would not need these guys to help -I would not need to fight against me.

The Gambit could help Canelo on the fight night, but Sparring members can only help them. If it was easy to fight like Terence Crawford, everyone would.

People often try to make historical comparisons with past fights while predicting how a struggle will be. This struggle will look like Jermell Charlo vs. Canelo Alvarez, a talented fighter who advanced two classes of weight only to be overcome by a more experienced Alvarez? Or will look like Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar de la Hoya, a talented fighter who dominated the lower weight classes, moving two divisions to disturb an aging Mexican superstar?

The key to the struggle will be the advantage of size and if it can be used effectively, not the advantage of weight. Terence Crawford has a 3.5 inches on Canelo Alvarez. The easiest way to be affected by an older man is to keep him out of the amazing distance. Crawford can use its length and speed advantage to control the struggle and frustrate the cane. Canelo has been prone to being inactive in some rounds, which could give an opening to Crawford.

When Dmitry Bivol defeated Canelo Alvarez, he dominated the struggle with his power. Dmitry Bivol had a smaller advantage over Cawford. The great warning is that Bivol has more power than Crawford’s figures to have 168. But Crawford can use their speed and reflexes to keep it out of the range and wait for his body to keep Canelo’s power.

Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford will be an incredible show and a great struggle. Canelo is a modest favorite, approximately -180 according to your sports book. A victory for Canelo Alvarez strengthens its case for the best Mexican Boxeador. A victory by Terence Crawford would make him the only male boxer who was the indisputable champion in three different classes of weight in the four -belts.

My prediction for Saturday night is that Canelo Alvarez will win by decision. I think he will win seven of twelve rounds, 115-113. I think he will do enough to win the fight in at least two judgets. It will be an exciting struggle. There will be controversy and debate on score. You will see tens of millions of people. It will be boxing at its best.