Boxing expert Shawn Porter has voiced worries about Terence Crawford after discovering that Canelo Alvarez has enlisted the assistance of the impressive Errol Spence in his training camp, designed to ready him for his scheduled September 13th match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Porter suggests that Ennis (34 victories, 0 defeats, with 30 knockouts) possesses a skill set that mirrors much of what the 37-year-old Crawford (41 victories, 0 defeats, with 31 knockouts) brings to the ring. Therefore, Canelo won’t be caught off guard by Crawford’s abilities when they meet on September 13th. He will have already encountered similar attributes from Ennis, who is younger, fresher, and equally powerful.
“It’s insignificant if you don’t understand the intensity of ‘Boots’ training,” Shawn Porter commented on his YouTube channel, discussing Canelo Alvarez’s choice of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis as a sparring partner for the Terence Crawford bout. “He’s likely to spend another week with him.”
Downtime Presents a Challenge
Crawford’s Periods of Inactivity Since 2020
- Canelo Alvarez [September 13, 20025]: 13 months without a fight. His last appearance was on August 3, 2024.
- Israil Madrimov [August 3, 2024]: 12 months of inactivity. His preceding contest occurred on July 29, 2023.
- Errol Spence Jr. [July 29, 2023]: 7 months since his last fight. He previously fought on December 10, 2022.
- David Avanesyan [December 10, 2022]: 12 months of inactivity. His previous match was on November 20, 2021.
- Shawn Porter [November 20, 2021]. 12 months away from the ring. His last fight took place on November 14, 2020.
- Kell Brook [November 14, 2020]: 11 months of absence. His previous fight was on December 15, 2019.
“Engaging in four to six sparring sessions with ‘Boots’ Ennis, potentially at full intensity because of the competitive dynamic, is exceptionally valuable. When preparing for a championship fight, you require something that elevates your performance,” Porter stated.
Ennis Tests Canelo’s Capabilities
If the circulating rumors on social platforms are accurate, Ennis is reportedly pushing Canelo hard during their sparring sessions. He isn’t holding back against Alvarez out of gratitude for the opportunity or because of Alvarez’s legendary status in boxing.
From my perspective, the critical factor is that Ennis is exposing Canelo to diverse fighting styles, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances, and delivering punches from both close quarters and a distance. Considering ‘Boots’ performance in his recent fight against Eimantas Stanionis on April 12, 2025, he has, in my expert opinion, already surpassed Crawford in skill.
Ennis achieved a stoppage against Stanionis in the sixth round, displaying a different fighting approach compared to his previous 33 professional bouts. Ennis is showcasing all of this to Canelo during sparring, which is ideal preparation for the Mexican star leading up to his fight with Crawford.
“This decision has made me somewhat concerned for my favored fighter [Crawford] because this individual [Ennis] is highly skilled. He’s capable of replicating much of what Canelo will encounter on the night of the fight. And he only needs a few exposures to it. It’s uncommon to find someone who can emulate the fighter you’re about to face in the ring,” Porter explained.
Age and Lulls are Significant
There should be unease regarding Crawford, and not solely because Canelo has brought ‘Boots’ Ennis into his training camp. Here are the reasons Crawford’s supporters should be concerned for him:
- Age: Terence will be 38 on September 28, which is considered advanced in boxing or any sport.
- Inactivity: He is entering the fight after a 13-month break.
“The fact that Canelo brought in ‘Boots’, regardless of whether it’s partially for show or at reduced intensity, is significant to me,” former WBC interim junior middleweight champion Brian Mendoza mentioned on the PorterWay Podcast. “The very act of bringing him in indicates seriousness. This isn’t merely for financial gain, as Canelo has already achieved significant success. He intends to engage fully and then retire.”
“If you include someone like that and genuinely engage in challenging sparring to prepare for your fight, it suggests Canelo is determined to win,” Mendoza stated.
Canelo isn’t going to underestimate Crawford simply because the latter is nearing retirement. His reputation is at stake. Consequently, Alvarez will train diligently and secure the best sparring assistance available. Another notable sparring partner in his camp is middleweight Yoenli Hernandez, a powerful puncher capable of switching stances like Crawford. Ennis isn’t the only addition Alvarez has made to his camp.
