Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are deep into preparations for their upcoming showdown.
The two pound-for-pound superstars will collide at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday 13 September, with the event streamed live on Netflix.
It sees Crawford moving up two divisions for the battle, as he attempts to win the undisputed super-middleweight titles after previously accomplishing that feat at super-lightweight and welterweight.
Ahead of the bout, two men who have sparred both fighters have given their take on the match-up, beginning with welterweight contender Alexis Rocha, who told ESNews that he feels Alvarez will be victorious.
“There are weight classes for a reason. Canelo is a lot bigger. Crawford has a good size to him and has that reach, and the boxing IQ. That is the most important thing when it comes to the boxing game, the IQ.
“I think Crawford would hold his own very good in that fight, but I would lean more towards Canelo because he’s more experienced and has been in there with bigger fights.”
That is a view that is also shared by another man that has sparred both fighters, middleweight boxer Kyrone Davis. Speaking to Mill City Boxing, he gave the edge to the Mexican superstar too.
“Canelo is a big guy. It’s going to be a lot. He can take a punch so you’re not going to hurt Canelo. I don’t think Crawford can hurt him with one punch, maybe he can cut an eye or something or bother him to the body.
“He has to get some flesh on gloves and go to the body, it’s going to be a tall task. Canelo can really fight. He has moves and traps. It’s not easy. In boxing nothing is impossible, but if I had to bet I’d put money on Canelo.
“I’m not taking anything away from Crawford, but Canelo is great. Can Canelo stop him? He’s a bigger guy. I think one punch can do it.”
With just weeks to go until the mega-fight, there isn’t long for fans to have to wait to see whether or not both men will be correct or if Crawford can prove them wrong.
