Former two-division undisputed champion Terence Crawford doesn’t often find himself as the B-Side. But against former super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, ‘Bud’ Crawford is the definition of a massive underdog. However, Crawford’s long-time friend and former training partner Shakur Stevenson doesn’t think so.
Canelo and Crawford are slated to lock horns in a much-anticipated bout on 13th September at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. While Crawford will remain on the sidelines, training for the fight two divisions above his current weight, ‘Cinnamon’ will fight IBF super middleweight champion William Scull in May in a bid to become the undisputed champion again.
Regardless, while appearing in an interview with ‘All The Smoke Fight’ podcast recently, Stevenson downplayed Canelo’s skills to boldly claim Crawford would make easy work of the active boxing legend. Speaking to Andre Ward, Stevenson summed up the fight later this year in three words, stating, he feels Crawford “beat[s] him [Canelo] easy.”
April 8, 2023, Newark, New Jersey, USA: SHAKUR STEVENSON celebrates after defeating Shuichiro Yoshino in a WBC Lightweight Final Eliminator bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Newark USA – ZUMAp109 20230408_zaf_p109_006 Copyright: xJoelxPlummerx
When Ward pressed Stevenson on how Crawford would get this task done, Stevenson didn’t hesitate to paint a picture. “For me, it’s a blueprint already. Floyd was a lot smaller than Canelo when he fought him. You keep Canelo on the outside. I ain’t gonna even say too much, but you keep him on the outside and make it an easy night,” Stevenson told Ward.
However, it’s worth noting that Crawford struggled against Israil Madrimov at 154 last year, which has sparked speculation about his abilities at 168 pounds. While Madrimov’s awkward fighting style did make things difficult for Crawford, Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s dominant performance against Madrimov recently suggests fighting Canelo might not be as easy.
Meanwhile, Crawford is planning on becoming one of the top 5 greatest fighters of all time.
Terence Crawford eyes top 5 best ever if he beats Canelo Alvarez
Terence Crawford isn’t one to obsess over historical rankings, but he knows where he belongs. With a showdown against Canelo Alvarez set for September, Crawford sees an opportunity to cement his legacy among the greatest fighters ever.
“I would definitely rank top 5,” Crawford told Cigar Talk. “I’m really moving up three weight classes, fighting arguably one of the best Mexicans ever, at his weight, no rehydration clause, no nothing. You just fighting him at his best.”
A victory over Canelo would be career-defining for Crawford. Already a surefire Hall of Famer, the WBA junior middleweight champion believes this fight will elevate him to rarefied air.
“I feel like winning this fight is gonna solidify me as an all-time great.” Risky or not, Crawford embraces the challenge. If everything goes according to plan, ranking fighters above him in history will be difficult.
That said, Shakur Stevenson appears to be more confident about Terence Crawford beating Canelo Alvarez than Crawford himself. However, only time will tell whether Stevenson will have to eat his words. Do you agree with Stevenson? Or will Crawford get added to the list of fighters who dared to be great?
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