Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are just months away from their highly anticipated mega-fight.
The modern pound-for-pound stars will clash on Saturday September 13 at an unconfirmed venue in the United States, although Las Vegas is the current favourite to play host.
Alvarez will defend his undisputed super-middleweight championship against Crawford in what is arguably the biggest fight the sport has to offer.
One fighter who has given their verdict on the upcoming showdown between Canelo and ‘Bud’ is reigning WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez. who initially gave his backing to the Mexican icon in an interview with ES NEWS.
““I think Crawford is gonna give Canelo a hard time in the beginning, but once Canelo gets a little bit comfortable in that ring, adapting to Crawford’s style, we see Canelo finishing him off in the late rounds.”
However, whilst speaking to FightHype, Lopez appeared to make a shock U-turn on this decision as he admits he believes his countryman will prevail against Canelo, going on to back himself to defeat ‘Bud’ if the two are ever to face each other.
“I’m going for Crawford, because then when he beats, you know let’s say he beats Canelo, it gets ammunition so when I fight him, I beat Crawford.”
Lopez had previously spent time working in Alvarez’s camp alongside trainer Eddy Reynoso, but his comments come after revealing earlier this year that he will no longer be training alongside the Mexican superstar.
As for Crawford, he must make the jump up to 168lbs ahead of his battle with Alvarez, having spent the majority of his tenure campaigning at 147lbs.
His most recent did come at super-welterweight however when he defeated Israil Madrimov last August to capture the WBA world title at 154lbs.
