Canelo recently solidified his status as the first fighter to twice achieve undisputed status at 168lbs in the 'four belt era' with a victory over William Scull on May 2 in Riyadh. Crawford watched from the sidelines, likely sizing up his future opponent.
Now, as Crawford prepares for what many consider the toughest test of his professional career, a voice from Canelo's past rings out with caution. Amir Khan, a retired former world champion who faced Canelo in 2016, shared his thoughts with Fast Slots.
"He's pound for pound the best fighter in the world. I was never the same fighter again after facing Canelo. You can get knocked down, fine, you can get back up again, but the knockout Canelo gave me, it probably took five years off my life."
Khan's bout with Canelo for the WBC middleweight title in May 2016 started positively for the British fighter. But Canelo's power proved too much in the middle rounds, culminating in a monstrous right hand that knocked Khan out in the sixth.
The impact of that fight lingered long after the final bell for Khan. He explained:
"You're never the same after fighting Canelo. All my opponents after that started to try to land that one big shot."
Canelo's reputation as a powerful puncher precedes him. His recent victory over Scull, where he defended his undisputed championship, only adds to his already impressive resume.
As September 12 approaches, Crawford must prepare not just for Canelo's skill, but for the potential long-term impact of facing such a formidable opponent. The boxing world watches with bated breath to see if 'Bud' can overcome the challenge that left such a lasting impression on Khan.