With the highly anticipated bout between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence Crawford just three months away, opinions are split. While some back the Mexican superstar, others-like Dmitry Bivol-are placing their bets on the American challenger, impressed by his size and skill set.
Bivol is one of only two men to have defeated Canelo, the other being Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Russian fighter won by unanimous decision on May 7, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
That victory not only showcased Bivol’s elite technical skills, but also cemented his status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. And after facing Canelo in the ring, Bivol believes Crawford has a legitimate shot at pulling off the upset on September 13.
Crawford left a mark
Speaking with The Ring, the former WBC light heavyweight champion confessed he was initially skeptical about Crawford’s decision to move up two weight classes to face Canelo at super middleweight. But after observing his physique and talent, Bivol came away impressed.
“My first reaction was about Crawford’s size,” Bivol admitted. “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 added that Crawford can definitely win-but it won’t come easily. “He’s able to win this fight. But there are a lot of small things we don’t know-how he’ll handle them,” Bivol warned. “He needs to get used to the power and pressure at 168, because it’s a big difference.”
Can Crawford handle the jump?
Ultimately, it all hinges on whether Crawford can adjust to the heavier weight class in time. “Maybe he will get used to it, and how he’ll feel on fight night,” Bivol said. “But he’s able. He has good skills. He’s awkward. He can use both boxing stances-southpaw and orthodox-which gives him advantages.”
While some analysts argue that at 34, Canelo’s best days are behind him, others believe he still holds the edge over Crawford. If Bivol is right, however, boxing fans could be witnessing only the third loss in the Mexican icon’s storied career.
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