Deontay Wilder Sums Up Terence Crawford’s Chances Of Beating Canelo In Just 3 Words
Terence Crawford looks set to move up two weight classes from his last outing to challenge unified super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez
The switch-hitter from Omaha is adamant that he can overcome the difference in bulk to be just the third man to defeat Canelo, after Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol, in over 60 fights.
The fight, which once looked unlikely, gathered pace recently when boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh met with both men to discuss plans for 2025. Reports followed suggesting that the battle of the four-weight champs is agreed.
Speaking to ES News when Crawford was still at welterweight, former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder – who is set to make a ring return this year – said the jump up for Crawford is ‘way too much.’
READ MORE:Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov live updates: How to watch, predictions, analysis
“147 to 168? That’s way too much. Although you can switch southpaw to orthodox, when you touching those guys that are heavier, it’s a different feeling, it’s like you’re a baby.
“I’m not saying you can’t knock nobody out or put punishment on them, I just think it takes a little more time. When you go up in weight, the absorbing of the punches is a lot different than with smaller guys.”
Since that interview, Crawford has made a successful debut at super-welterweight, closing the gap slightly and becoming a WBA World Champion by beating Israil Madrimov.
The weight between the two men on the day of their last weigh-ins is now 14 pounds, still a significant amount for the American to overcome against a tough Mexican in Canelo who has dominated the 168 ranks and, though he has lost twice in his career on points, he has never been down and only significantly hurt on one or two occasions
