Legendary boxing trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas believes Crawford has what it takes to pull off the upset. Atlas shared his thoughts on The Ring Magazine Podcast, acknowledging the size difference between the fighters.
"People are gonna say he had trouble with a 154 pound guy when he went up from welterweight and now he's going up to 168. 'Teddy, come on, how you gonna make an argument?'"
Atlas refers to Crawford's super-welterweight debut last August against Israil Madrimov, where he struggled to secure a decision victory. Despite this, Atlas remains confident in Crawford's chances against the bigger Canelo.
The trainer points out that boxing history has seen smaller fighters triumph over larger opponents. He argues that Crawford's speed, craft, and slick style give him more options in the ring.
Atlas favors Crawford in the potential matchup, calling him a "very special fighter" with unique instincts and timing. He emphasizes Crawford's intangibles and "X factor" as key advantages.
"I can't wait to see a smaller guy use those x factors to beat a bigger guy. I always wanted to see David and Goliath live, didn't you? Well get ready to watch it."
Before any potential Crawford fight, Canelo will defend his super-middleweight titles in a unification bout against William Scull in May. The Mexican star remains undefeated in the division and will look to cement his dominance further.
The boxing world waits with bated breath to see if this intriguing matchup between Canelo and Crawford will come to fruition. If it does, fans will get to witness a clash between two of the sport's most skilled and accomplished fighters.