The atmosphere in the boxing world is heating up ahead of the eagerly awaited “Fight of the Century” between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford. However, not everyone believes this is an even matchup. Renowned trainer Joel Diaz has sparked controversy with blunt statements, bluntly stating that “it’s stupid to think Crawford is going to beat Canelo”. For Diaz, the Mexican’s size, power and experience will be an insurmountable barrier for the American.
The trainer not only criticizes fans who see Crawford as the favorite, but also offers a detailed analysis of why, in his opinion, this fight is destined to be a victory for Canelo. The key, according to Diaz, lies in the overwhelming weight difference. Crawford will move up two categories for this matchup, a challenge that he believes already took its toll in his recent fight against Israil Madrimov.
An uneven fight
Joel Diaz does not hesitate to recall Crawford’s last performance when he moved up in weight, in conversation with AgainsttheRopes, he explained that “Terence Crawford went from 147 to 154 pounds to fight Madrimov. What did he do to Madrimov? Nothing,” he said. Diaz argues that if Crawford could not dominate a natural super welterweight boxer like Madrimov, the transition to 168 pounds to face a natural puncher like Canelo will be an impossible task.
Unlike Madrimov, who fought cautiously and with feints, Canelo is a more aggressive and powerful fighter, who will not waste time looking for the knockout. For Diaz, the only chance Crawford had was for his opponent to be less aggressive, something that will not happen with the Mexican champion.
The “Mayweather plan”
The popular idea that Crawford can replicate Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s victory over Canelo in 2013 is quickly dismissed by Diaz. He explains that this matchup happened more than a decade ago and under completely different circumstances. Mayweather, at the height of his career and with enormous popularity that influenced the judges, fought against a younger and less developed Canelo
In addition, Diaz commented that Mayweather had the advantage of a catchweight that weakened the Mexican. Crawford, on the other hand, is an older, slower and less powerful fighter, who is facing the strongest, smartest and most experienced version of Canelo to date.
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