Sugar Ray Leonard has weighed in on Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’ upcoming undisputed title defence against Terence Crawford.
Leonard began his career as a standout welterweight, claiming the WBC title with a win over Wilfred Benítez and cementing his status with victories over Roberto Durán and Tommy Hearns. After dominating at 147 pounds, he moved up to 154 in 1981 to face Ayub Kalule, capturing the WBA title in a solid performance.
His most notable jump came in 1987, when he returned from a long layoff to face middleweight champion Marvin Hagler. In a tightly contested bout, Leonard earned a split decision and the WBC title. The following year, he moved up again to face Donny Lalonde, capturing both the WBC super middleweight and light heavyweight titles in a single fight. Though not a long-term force in the higher divisions, Leonard’s moves up in weight added significant depth to his record.
Crawford looks to do similar when he faces Canelo on September 13 in Las Vegas, making the move to super-middle having had just one fight at super-welter. That win over Israil Madrimov left some people doubting his ability to move up further, but at this week’s opening press conference, ‘Bud’ assured fans that he would be taking the belts and there is nothing Canelo can do about it.
Leonard told Fight Hub TV that, while he believes the American can do it, the power will be different entirely.
“It’s a big difference. I mean when I fought Donny Lalonde, every time he hit me he hurt me to a degree, not knocking out but he hurt me, put it that way. He can do it, I mean you can do it no question about that.”
Crawford would be the first man to become a three-weight undisputed champion should he upset the odds, which have moved closer since Canelo’s lacklustre performance against William Scull in May.
