Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are getting ready for a big fight on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium. It's a matchup that's got everyone talking.
Canelo holds all the belts at 168 pounds, while Crawford will move up two weight classes for this bout. The boxing world can't agree on who'll come out on top, with former rivals of both fighters weighing in.
Amir Khan, who's faced both men in the ring, thinks it'll be closer than people expect. He said:
"Crawford is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now. But Canelo is an extremely dangerous opponent. The weight difference and Canelo's power are big factors. Still, I've noticed a slight decline in Canelo's recent fights."
Shawn Porter is picking Crawford to win. He believes Crawford's smarts, speed, and ability to adapt will make the difference. Porter doesn't think the size gap matters much, saying size is often overrated in boxing.
Jeff Horn and Egidijus 'Mean Machine' Kavaliauskas are also backing Crawford. Kavaliauskas points to Crawford's ring intelligence, accuracy, and knack for making opponents run into his punches as key advantages.
Crawford's most recent opponent, Israil Madrimov, sees it as a 50/50 fight. He thinks Crawford has what it takes to win but warns against putting on too much weight. Madrimov said:
"Crawford has the tools to win, but he shouldn't overdo the weight gain. He needs to stay true to himself."
If Crawford follows this advice, we're in for a real challenge for both fighters and a great show for boxing fans. The matchup between these two champions is shaping up to be one you won't want to miss.
