The Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford fight is set to be the biggest fight in boxing this year.
Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world will collide when Canelo and Crawford meet at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday 13 September.
The fight has already created a lot of buzz, with some of boxing’s biggest names weighing in on who they believe will come out on top in the bout.
One of them is Bernard Hopkins, the multi-weight world champion who worked with Canelo during the early stages of the Mexican’s career under Golden Boy Promotions.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV when the fight was first rumoured, Hopkins felt it was a mismatch and insisted that size would play a big factor.
“That’s ridiculous. That’s why we have weight classes. Size does matter… In most cases. Forget those moments in history where size didn’t matter – that’s why it’s history. Most of the time, it’s the right call. I think [Crawford] got a lot of fish to fry underneath, where he’s comfortable. Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage. Put yourself at an advantage.
“How are we talking about Crawford-Canelo? Crawford cares about his life right? What does that fight do for Canelo if Crawford beats him? What does that do for him? I just think there are so many other fights to make that are realistic and make sense and are less life risking on top of the risk when we step in the ring with guys our weight.”
Hopkins has now had a major U-turn, however, again revealing to Fight Hub TV that he now believes Crawford has a strong chance of winning.
“He has a legitimate chance, over 60%. He has a 85% chance to beat Canelo. Why? He’s not going there to prove something, which will fall into Canelo’s hands … He’s going in there to let him know and establish from the first round that I belong, I earnt my position to be here, and I’ll show you that your time has came and is gone.”
With the fight less than three months away, Canelo has requested that there be a small ring to prevent ‘Bud’ Crawford ‘running.’
