Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: early thoughts?

[EdwardRevolver1993]

With the fight now being officially announced for September 12, what's your early take on it?

Do you believe in Crawford's chances to pull it off?

What would be the best strategy for him to employ on fight night?

Questions, questions...

[keithmoonhangover]

With the fight now being officially announced for September 12, what's your early take on it?

Do you believe in Crawford's chances to pull it off?

What would be the best strategy for him to employ on fight night?

Questions, questions...

I think it'll be a very competitive distance fight.

[Ezzard]

Crawford will win. Alvarez hasn't got enough left now. It's not a fight I am counting down to.

[joshj909]

At this point of their careers, Crawford is more skilled, he's faster and has been showing more power. However, Canelo has an iron chin, has much more experience at the weight whereas Crawford is effectively an unknown at the weight, Canelo is also the A-side should it go to the judges.

[Syntax Error]

As great as Crawford is, I thought he might come unstuck against Canelo due to the size difference, but looking at the two of them together, there doesn't appear to be a size difference.

Also, Canelo looks like me might a slipped a tad, not past it by any means, but possibly on the downside.

I'm now thinking that Crawford can outskill Alvarez and win a decision.

[gregregegg]

It’s kinda the best fight in boxing, but it’s also kinda a bit of a circus weight wise and “prime” wise.

Canelo: I think prime canelo was at 160 and nearly 7 years ago (Mabey GGG 2)… going up in weight he has lost a lot of his stopping power, and without true stopping power a nugget like canelo is a bit wasted. Not crazy old, but 20 years in the game…

Crawford: prime craw is probably 147 and 5 ish years ago… he is aging a bit and it will be weird to see him at a division where he isn’t a devastating puncher. Just as nugget canelo is a bit of a waste without power, craws kinda like the most skilled brawler ever and that’s a bit of a waste (obviously not a real brawler but his style is kinda at his best).. I also wish he had had 2 at 154, 2 at 160 and 1 at 168 as preparation… (obviously impossible)

I back Crawford to win (feels unwise but eh) Craw needs to move, and switch and just do enough to win rounds and hope canelo gets frustrated and walks into a couple.

Canelo key to victory is pretty clear to me… the body. Craw has a long body (his arms are long too so cover it well but it’s long and thin and has likely never taken canelo like bodywork)…

Other key factor… judging. Will they credit body work, will the credit agression, ect ect. I haven’t watched canelo vs scull, but according to compubox canelo landed 10 head shots in a 12 round fight and still won very very wide on some cards… (one offical and many unofficial.) …

[NazNaci1]

Intriguing fight. As you guys have said, both on a slight downward trajectory but still top tier fighters.

Canelo won't land cleanly, too often but will pound the arms (probably more of this) and body (if he can), I think, to try to wear Crawford down. Flip side is that Canelo, probably has a bit more wear and tear, both are slick though, so it will be interesting.

A distance fight and probably siding with a Canelo decision but by no means am I all that confident. Love Crawford, so would like him to win, but he is also getting on a bit now.

Should be cagey but a skilled bout.

[Les Norton]

I was surprised to read that Crawford was actually 1cm taller and holds something like 9cm in reach advantage.
I don’t see him coming in at 168 to avoid losing to much of his slickness.
At 34 Canelo is looking like the older fighter than Crawford is at 37, but close to 70 fights over 20 yrs probably does that too you.
I’m leaning towards Crawford winning a 7-5, 8-4 decision unless Canelo can land heavy leather

[gilgamesh]

It's probably either the last or one of the last Mega fights that either of 'em will ever be involved in. I think it'll go all 12 rounds, and it'll be extremely competitive every step of the way.

I favor Canelo ever so slightly, but a close win either way won't shock me.

[KiwiRider]

Sadly it's more a matter of who has slipped the most, than who is better.
Canelo was poor last time out, really poor.
And we haven't seen Crawford in what will be a year.
So who knows, probably have to wait until the bell. Not something I'm marking on the calendar, and may even wait until it's on YouTube.
I'd probably say Crawford could win on points from the outside as Canelo seems slow of foot now.

[gilgamesh]

Sadly it's more a matter of who has slipped the most, than who is better.
Canelo was poor last time out, really poor.
And we haven't seen Crawford in what will be a year.
So who knows, probably have to wait until the bell. Not something I'm marking on the calendar, and may even wait until it's on YouTube.
I'd probably say Crawford could win on points from the outside as Canelo seems slow of foot now.

Crawford had probably one of his most difficult bouts last time out as well. He won, but it was one of his more difficult fights.

Of course it was against a style that is entirely different from Canelo's.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Both are accurate and fight in spurts. I think its a poor mesh of styles. Canelo is bigger and better he wins

[KiwiRider]

Sadly it's more a matter of who has slipped the most, than who is better.
Canelo was poor last time out, really poor.
And we haven't seen Crawford in what will be a year.
So who knows, probably have to wait until the bell. Not something I'm marking on the calendar, and may even wait until it's on YouTube.
I'd probably say Crawford could win on points from the outside as Canelo seems slow of foot now.

Crawford had probably one of his most difficult bouts last time out as well. He won, but it was one of his more difficult fights.

Of course it was against a style that is entirely different from Canelo's.

Agree, neither looked that great last time out sadly. I'm just not that invested in this.
There was a time it would have been interesting I guess. No PPV cash out money from me this time. I've paid my fair share for Canelo fights.

[golden_labrador]

Sadly it's more a matter of who has slipped the most, than who is better.
Canelo was poor last time out, really poor.
And we haven't seen Crawford in what will be a year.
So who knows, probably have to wait until the bell. Not something I'm marking on the calendar, and may even wait until it's on YouTube.
I'd probably say Crawford could win on points from the outside as Canelo seems slow of foot now.

agreed. I could see Crawford picking off Canelo and nicking rounds, frustrating him and punishing Canelo as he takes risks late in the fight. i can also see Crawford being folded out of the blue

there's no point trying to KO Canelo. just make him miss, punish

[Boxingguru75]

Pick em fight now. Canelo much bigger and great but I would never discount an all timer like Crawford. He is master of adjustment.

[Cyclops]

I only watched the highlights but before even watching them I read the RBR on here and wondered whether Canelo had sandbagged and put in a deliberately low effort performance against Scull?

I hope Crawford beats him, though.