Terence Crawford and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez are set to face off in a big boxing match on September 13, 2023. The fight has got fans talking, but there's a twist: Crawford hasn't stepped in the ring for over a year.
Crawford's last fight was a win against Israil Madrimov, and he's been out of action since then. But his manager, Stephen Edwards, isn't worried.
"Every time he has a long break, he never looks rusty. He's one of those boxers who defies logic,"Edwards said.
It's not the first time Crawford has taken a break. Since 2019, he's had five long gaps between fights, ranging from 7 to 13 months.
Edwards thinks Crawford's got what it takes to beat Canelo. He says Crawford's got a quick mind, adapts well, and has better endurance, fitness, and footwork. Plus, Crawford's taller and has a longer reach.
But there are some worries about Crawford. He hasn't fought many top boxers lately, except maybe Madrimov. And even that fight was controversial - some people, including Canelo, think Madrimov should have won.
Crawford also looked a bit tired in the last rounds against Madrimov, getting hit by right hands more often. At 37, some think he's past his prime and not ready for a champ like Canelo.
Canelo's no pushover. He's fought tough guys like Gennadiy Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, and Dmitry Bivol. He's never shown any big weakness in his chin either. That's why he's the favorite going into this fight.
Crawford hasn't faced some other big names in the super middleweight division, like David Benavidez or Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Edwards thinks the start of the fight will be tough for Crawford, but he'll be strongest in the last rounds. Most people still think Canelo will win, but there's always a chance for an upset.
We'll find out if Crawford's time off matters when they finally step into the ring. It's going to be an interesting night of boxing, that's for sure.
