Dmitry Bivol thinks Terence Crawford can beat Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez in their upcoming super middleweight fight on September 13. The former WBC light heavyweight champion, who beat Canelo himself, likes Crawford's chances.
Bivol, one of only two men to have defeated the Mexican superstar, won by unanimous decision on May 7, 2022. His opinion carries weight in the boxing world, as he's considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters.
At first, Bivol worried about Crawford moving up two weight classes. But after seeing him, he changed his mind. He told reporters:
"My first reaction was about Crawford's size. Is it okay for him to move up two weight classes or not? Then I saw him. He's big, and he has very good skills. He's one of my favorite boxers."
Bivol thinks Crawford has what it takes to win, but it won't be easy. He explained:
"He's able to win this fight. But there are a lot of small things we don't know-how he'll handle them. He needs to get used to the power and pressure at 168, because it's a big difference."
Crawford's skills and versatility impress Bivol. The American boxer can switch between southpaw and orthodox stances, which could give him an edge. Bivol said:
"Maybe he will get used to it, and how he'll feel on fight night. But he's able. He has good skills. He's awkward. He can use both boxing stances-southpaw and orthodox-which gives him advantages."
Canelo, now 34, still holds the edge over Crawford in many people's eyes. But some think his best days might be behind him. His only other loss came against Floyd Mayweather Jr. earlier in his career.
Crawford faces a big challenge in adjusting to the heavier weight class. But if Bivol's right, boxing fans might see only the third loss in Canelo's long career.
The fight on September 13 will show if Crawford can handle the power and pressure at 168 pounds. It will also reveal if Canelo can fend off another skilled challenger looking to make history.
