Despite last competing at super-welterweight, Terence Crawford is set to jump up two divisions to super-middleweight to challenge Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez.
The American kicked off his career at lightweight and has won world titles in all four classes in which he has competed. Despite widely being regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, many feel taking on Canelo – who boasts one of the best chins in the business – at his comfortable weight is a step too far.
Crawford will look to pack on 14 pounds from his last weigh-in for the pleasure, one shy of Bernard Hopkins in 2006 when he moved from the middleweight limit of 160 to light-heavyweight’s 175 and beat Antonio Tarver for the IBO and Ring Magazine belts.
Speaking to KO Artist Sports, Hopkins reflected on the standout moment.
“In history, I’m the only one. It was attempted by Sugar Ray Robinson. He wanted to make history by going from 160 to 175. The only reason Ray Robinson didn’t win is because, in New York City in the stadium, it was 100 plus degrees. He lost the fight cause he couldn’t come out for whatever round it was.
“I knew I wasn’t done in boxing. I knew I wasn’t finished and I wanted to continue to make history so one day my record-setting career would be out the to be broken, to be chased. Here I am, waiting to see if that happens.”
As for a prediction for this current-day attempt, Hopkins is siding with Canelo to beat Crawford for the exact reasons many perhaps felt he wouldn’t be able to make the jump 20 years ago.
“Like I said before and I’m gonna repeat it now, a good big man always beats a good little man. I like the good big man … It’s gonna be a great fight. Can Crawford do what most of the men haven’t done in history?
“I think people don’t understand the body like I do, and every individual is different. Just because you were great at this weight, doesn’t mean you’re gonna bring that talent with more weight. That’s important … That’s the bit what if. The talent gets there but the weight compromises it. That’s the difference. That’s the suspense.”
In a seperate interview with ES News, ‘The Executioner’ made a more precise pick.
“I like Canelo by stoppage, late night. Eight, ninth round.”
