According to Tim Bradley, Terence Crawford is poised to dominate Canelo Alvarez to such an extent that the fight will be halted by the referee to protect Alvarez later this evening at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Bradley indicated that Crawford possesses a “remarkable memory,” recalling extensive footage of Canelo’s previous bouts studied during training. He anticipates Crawford strategically deploying offensive “traps” and negating Canelo’s strength through skillful “sideways steps.”
“Expect something remarkable tomorrow night. Don’t be surprised if Bud Crawford stops Canelo. The referee is going to step in and save Canelo,” Crawford’s acquaintance, Tim Bradley, conveyed to Fighthype during the weigh-in event.
Attempting to knock out Canelo would pose a considerable risk for Crawford. Achieving this through jabs and occasional strikes—Crawford’s approach in his previous encounter against Israil Madrimov in 2024—seems unlikely.
Crawford struggled to string together combinations in that match, frequently absorbing right hands and exhibiting caution to avoid compromising his position. Bradley’s assessment appears to be heavily influenced by Crawford’s past successes against weaker opponents in the 147, 140, and 135-pound weight categories.
During Crawford’s tenure in those divisions, the competition lacked the depth of talent present today. He faced fewer fighters with notable power or advanced boxing techniques. Consequently, Bradley’s recollections seem rooted in the past. Crawford’s performance in the Madrimov fight offered a more recent perspective, portraying him as something less than an elite competitor.
“Canelo still has to land that shot. But if you take that away from him. What gives Canelo issues? Sideways steps. If you take that away from him, what do you think he can do? You can set traps,” Bradley elaborated.
Crawford understands the futility of constant movement against Canelo. Such a strategy would betray Turki Alalshikh’s expectations, especially given the significant financial investment in this fight. Turki explicitly stated his disinterest in a cat-and-mouse chase during the buildup. At the final press conference on Thursday, Turki voiced his desire for intense action. “I am sure they will deliver for me, smashing face and blood,” Turki commented.
Crawford’s consistent running will not yield the requested “smashing face,” “blood,” or “broken bones” that Turki seeks.
