Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez have fought a combined over 108 fights on their records
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v Terence Crawford
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas Date: Saturday, 13 September
Coverage: Follow live text commentary from 03:00 BST on Sunday, 14 September on BBC Sport website and app
Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez defends his undisputed super-middleweight crown against American Terence Crawford at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Saturday.
Boxing fans will be treated to a dream match-up between two modern-day greats.
Alvarez, 35, enters the ring with 63 wins from 67 professional bouts, with two draws and two defeats.
‘Bud’ Crawford, the undefeated four-division world champion and two-weight undisputed king, takes the bold step of moving up two weight classes in pursuit of even greater glory.
Will the slick skills and ring IQ of the 37-year-old unsettle the bigger man? Or will Alvarez’s power and proven pedigree at the higher weights shine under the Las Vegas lights?
Follow live text commentary from 03:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.
We asked the boxing world for their predictions – here’s what they said…
Canelo v Crawford face-off in Las Vegas
Amir Khan – retired world champion
“It’s a fantastic fight but I just can’t see Canelo beating him. I see Crawford winning this fight by skill, movement and holding his weight well. Crawford is an amazing wrestler so when it comes to grappling and pushing fighters’ around, he’s strong. I’m sure he won’t have a problem with Canelo, even though Canelo is a strong, big guy.”
Prediction – Crawford
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Dillian Whyte – British heavyweight
“Bud is going to punch him up – Crawford is a unique fighter. He ain’t the most powerful puncher but he’s strong. Good technique, physically strong, very accurate. He’s defensively sound, can fight southpaw and orthodox. Bud is tough, he doesn’t mind getting tagged also. We’re overlooking age and speed. Bud doesn’t mind keeping it that way and boxing if he has to. Canelo is tough and has taken bigger shots from bigger guys so you never know.”
Prediction – Crawford
“My old adage is that a good big ‘un always beats a good little ‘un and I’ll go with Canelo on this. Against William Scull, he got clipped quite a few times and I thought he got frustrated. Then I look at Crawford in his previous fight against Israil Madrimov and I thought there were moments where it was quite close. But I’ve got to go with Canelo – and I hope it is Canelo because our man Hamzah Sheeraz is going to be ringside and we’re going to make it if Canelo wins.”
Prediction – Alvarez
Barry Jones – retired world champion
“I think Crawford will start fast, test this theory that Canelo doesn’t have the energy to fight at a higher pace. Getting up on the lead if he can and force Canelo to push the fight. I do think we’ll see a better Canelo than we’ve seen in the last few years and size will play a factor and I think he might stop Crawford. I’m not totally sure on that and I can see Crawford outboxing Canelo. The only thing I don’t see is Crawford stopping Canelo, which is probably what will happen now that I’ve said it.”
Prediction – Alvarez
Dana White in heated discussion with reporter over Muhammad Ali Act
Anthony Crolla – retired world champion
“People are asking if size will be a big factor. I was lucky enough to see Canelo up close when I was in the corner for my mate Callum Smith – he had a very thick set. But I do believe Crawford has taken his time building up to the weight, he’s unbelievably strong. People forget what a good wrestler away from boxing he is. His biggest strength is that he’s so versatile. He can go orthodox or southpaw, fight on the inside or outside, he can do it all. I think timing could be perfect here. It may be a chess match – no thrills and spills – but I think Crawford edges it on points. He may have to take one or two big ‘uns and weather the storm, though.”
Prediction – Crawford
Galal Yafai – British flyweight
“Canelo may have dipped over the last couple of years but this is the kind of fight which will get him excited and I think he could edge up. Crawford is going up two weights and history will tell you that might be too big of a jump.”
Prediction – Canelo
Dave Coldwell – trainer
“I’m going with Crawford, he’s got the legs and the IQ. He can switch stances too, and we know Canelo has struggled with southpaws in the past. He’s also got longer arms and is not physically that small in comparison. This version of Canelo is very slow-footed with single shots, or maybe two shots at a time. Crawford is smart enough that when he does get hit with a bomb, because Canelo will register, he can ride it out and make sure nothing else lands, get the distance and go back to work again.”
Prediction – Crawford
Watch as Canelo interupts Kellerman to defend boxing
Harlem Eubank – British welterweight
“I have Crawford as a strong favourite. Nobody has shown us how to beat him yet. He has so many different parts to his game that I think it will be difficult for Canelo to work out that puzzle. We’ve seen guys who are fast with good movement and footwork that Canelo can struggle against them.”
Prediction – Crawford
Callum Simpson – British super-middleweight
“I’m going for Crawford. They’re both so highly skilled but while Crawford may not have the weight advantage, he has the reach with his long arms which people underestimate. I think he wins on points.”
Prediction – Crawford
Ziyad ‘Zizo’ Almaayouf – Saudi Arabian light-welterweight
“I’m going with Crawford to win. At this level, the real fight begins in camp, and Crawford is simply harder to prepare for. His ability to switch stances, his unorthodox style, the way he makes you think every second in there, it’s all mental. And when you’re at the very top, that mental challenge is what separates champions. That’s why I believe Crawford comes out on top.”
Prediction – Crawford
Ryan Garner – British super-featherweight
“It’s tough to call because I know there is a size difference but Crawford ain’t no mug, some people jump up weight classes just for the pay days but Crawford is different and I can see him nicking the fight to be honest. He is smaller but he’s game, I’m going to go with him.”
Prediction – Crawford
Taylor Bevan – British super-middleweight
“I think Canelo’s size will play a big part in this, Crawford is coming up a few weight divisions and there will be a size difference between them, Canelo’s so powerful at that weight. Crawford’s skills will be his biggest advantage and he could possibly outbox Canelo, but I think Canelo will be too big and too strong and I think he will win on points.”
Prediction – Canelo
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