Boxing expert Bob Santos is forecasting a victory for Canelo Alvarez over Terence Crawford, highlighting Alvarez’s physical stature and striking force as key advantages in their scheduled 12-round main event, slated for September 13th on Netflix at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Santos Foresees Victory for the Larger Competitor
Santos is of the opinion that Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) possesses superior size and strength, attributes that Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) will struggle to negate.
“My pick is Canelo. Both are exceptionally skilled fighters, without a doubt. Terence has certainly earned this opportunity. Would I be completely surprised if he were to secure a victory? Not entirely. However, if forced to choose, I would lean towards Canelo, given his greater size, power, and established presence in the higher weight division,” boxing expert Bob Santos stated to Fighthype, predicting Canelo Alvarez will triumph over Terence Crawford on September 13th.
Crawford’s Training Camp Appearance Raises Concerns
Had Crawford previously ascended in weight and demonstrated his capabilities at 168 against a formidable opponent, such as Christian Mbilli, a case could be made for his potential victory against Alvarez. However, Crawford entering this contest without showcasing his abilities at the higher weight class makes it challenging to favor him, considering the significant weight disparity and divisional leap. Crawford, nearing his 38th birthday on September 28, has exhibited signs of aging during his training for this bout. His physical appearance suggests a noticeable aging process within the past year.
“There is one condition to consider. Canelo is a seasoned and astute professional boxer. His recent encounters with opponents like [William] Scull have likely reinforced the understanding that excessive exertion is unnecessary to secure victories. He appears to be prioritizing physical preservation, a trend evident in his recent performances,” Santos observed.
Canelo was able to comfortably manage opponents such as Scull, Edgar Berlanga, and Jaime Munguia. These contenders, while possessing commendable records, ultimately proved to be of a caliber that allowed Alvarez to dictate the pace and outcome of the fights. However, such an approach would be ill-advised against Crawford, who is likely to employ an outboxing strategy reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s approach in 2013.
“He understands that his legacy is on the line and that he needs to take calculated risks, accepting a higher degree of physical toll. I think he’s going to be prepared to endure some punishment to engage with Crawford in key moments,” Santos commented regarding Canelo’s mindset.
Enhanced Motivation Due to Significant Financial Incentive
Reports suggest that Canelo will receive $100 million from Turki Alalshikh for participating in this fight, a financial incentive likely to result in a more focused and determined performance compared to his previous three outings against William Scull, Edgar Berlanga, and Jaime Munguia. The substantial financial reward, coupled with a desire to meet expectations, should provide ample motivation. Facing a smaller, more experienced opponent should further reinforce Canelo’s confidence in delivering a dominant performance.
“Nevertheless, I still believe that the force of his punches and the advantage in physical size will be too much to overcome,” Santos concluded, anticipating Canelo’s victory over Crawford based on these factors.
The advantages in size, power, and experience that Canelo holds over Crawford will significantly impact this fight. Crawford’s jump in weight is too substantial, essentially moving up three divisions without any acclimatization at 168. It’s too late to correct this now.
Crawford’s inactivity of a year is also unlikely to be beneficial. His last fight was a close victory against Israil Madrimov on August 3rd of the previous year at 154, in which he didn’t appear to be in peak form. He secured a 12-round unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 115-113, although the outcome could have easily been different.
