There is less and less time left for the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, who will face each other on September 13 in Las Vegas for the super middleweight crown. The Allegiant Stadium will witness another of the ‘Fights of the Century’ with the Mexican star as the protagonist, although many eyes will also be focused on ‘Bud’, on the verge of becoming the first undisputed three-time champion in history.
Just the poster of the two pugilists is enough to capture the attention of fans and specialists, who do not hesitate to jump in with their predictions. For example, Cuban trainer Pedro Roque, recognized for his results in both professional and amateur boxing, sided with Canelo and made it clear that Crawford will have a hard time in the duel.
“Canelo is going to win until the day he wants,” said Roque to Eduardo Martell, one of the leading boxing and combat sports reporters in Florida. “He is only going to lose when he retires.”
“I see him getting stronger, with more muscle, more power and more precision,” added the Caribbean trainer, whose gym in Miami has been a regular stop for top-level boxers such as Erislandy Lara, Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz, Yuniel Dorticos, Lenier Pero, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Yuriorkis Gamboa, the latter one of those who unsuccessfully challenged Crawford more than a decade ago.
‘Peter’, as the Cuban is known in the world of boxing, said that Crawford is very good, but warned that Canelo’s preparation is very demanding.
“Canelo is training with boxers superior to Crawford. I’ve seen him with Yoenli Feliciano, who may be even better than Crawford. Feliciano is a boxer, who trains and spars with him raises the level,” said Roque.
I’ve seen it with Yoenli Feliciano, who may be even better than Crawford. Feliciano is a boxer, whoever trains and spars with him raises the level
The Caribbean coach also praised Canelo’s projection, a man who does not usually vary his roadmap outside the ring. “He is a boxer who on social networks is always seen in a family environment, concerned about his business and in contact with the fans. He has a healthy and very disciplined life. That will allow him to continue winning until the day he wants,” he said.
Despite all these arguments, no one dares to rule out Crawford ahead of his showdown with Canelo, in which he can enter the record books. “My goal is to make history (…) I assure you that I will be the first undisputed three-time world champion,” said the 37-year-old American, who has been in excellent physical condition in recent weeks.
Roque, an eminence in the ring
Pedro Roque is one of the most recognized coaches in South Florida. For more than two decades he has left his mark on both professionalism and amateur boxing, in fact, he was selected as the best trainer in the world in 2008, when he won eight medals with the Cuban national team at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Despite that result, he was dismissed by the Cuban authorities and decided to emigrate. Since then, he has been seen in the corner with boxers of different nationalities. In Paris 2024, he led Loren Berto Alfonso (a Cuban nationalized Azerbaijani) to the silver medal in the heavyweight division.
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