Terence Crawford doesn’t care what the odds say against Canelo: “We both have a lot to lose”

Canelo Alvarez has competed against some of the best fighters across weight divisions, including middleweight.

He has had some memorable fights in the division, including his trilogy against the now-retired Kazakh great Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin.

Now, a whole different puzzle at the weight above is posed by Terence Crawford in September, who dares to be great in a division two classes above his last bout.

Canelo may not be the same fighter who put on those high-paced performances against ‘GGG’ but he is not being counted out.

Former Canelo opponent Daniel Jacobs predicts close fight but edges towards Terence Crawford

Daniel Jacobs is torn between the two competitors after having shared the ring with the Mexican and having experienced Crawford in training for years.

But he has given the edge to Omaha’s favourite son.

He said: “(Crawford) He’s a dog, he’s a beast… Canelo obviously is self-explanatory, there is no need to go down the rabbit hole when it comes to him.

“But I do see this fight being a 50/50, but if I was a betting man, I would bet on Crawford, but also too you can’t count Canelo out, he would go in, assuming, as the favourite.”

Jacobs took the then-unified middleweight champion the distance but was beaten on the cards when it was all said and done.

He gave his expert view on how ‘Bud’ can approach the contest and achieve victory.

He explained: “Well, I can see in increments because Canelo, I have always said, is an amazing legendary fighter, but he fights in spurts.

“So sometimes it takes for the opponents to actually initiate him, giving the best. (Crawford may) Push the pressure, make Canelo fight, or play it safe and win on points.

Daniel Jacobs stopped once in 42 fights by an undefeated, unknown Russian technician

The ‘Miracle Man’ retired in 2024 after losing a unanimous decision to the son of boxing legend Shane Mosley.

Canelo Alvarez is gearing up for his monumental showdown with Terence Crawford.

It was confirmed earlier this month that the 34-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico will lock horns with Crawford on Saturday September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canelo will defend his undisputed super-middleweight championship against the 37-year-old from Omaha, who is making the jump up in two weight classes from his last outing for this mega-fight.

Despite being in preparations for what could be one of the toughest tests of his career, something he has admitted himself, Canelo is already being pencilled in for the third fight in his Riyadh Season deal.

In an interview with the Ring Magazine, the man behind the deal, Turki Alalshikh, outlined what he wants to come next for Canelo after he closes the book on his rivalry with Crawford.

“We have the second fight if everything goes right in February for Canelo … It’s May fight, it is going to be against one of the two options, [Hamzah] Sheeraz or [Chris] Eubank Jr, I am thinking like this.”

Chris Eubank Jr is coming off the most high-profile win of his career, beating familial rival Conor Benn over the distance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Though the pair are heading towards a rematch, he has made it clear that he wants Canelo after that.

Hamzah Sheeraz makes his super-middleweight debut next month against former Alvarez victim Edgar Berlanga, with a statement performance setting up the clash Alalshikh wants to see.

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are several months away from going toe-to-toe in the ‘biggest fight in boxing’.

It has now been confirmed that the pound-for-pound stars will do battle on Saturday September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After defeating former IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull in Riyadh last month, Canelo will make the first defence of his undisputed crown at 168lbs in what is his second reign as champion.

Should he prevail against the Mexican icon in September, ‘Bud’ Crawford will become the first fighter in the history of male boxing to capture an undisputed championship in three divisions, having already accomplished this at super-lightweight and welterweight.

Whilst speaking to the media, Crawford was asked to confirm whether there is a rematch clause in place for his monumental showdown with Canelo.

“No, it’s not.”

The unbeaten 37-year-old from Omaha was then asked if this was something that he actually pushed for himself during the negotiation period.

“No, I didn’t.”

‘Bud’ is making the jump up in two weight classes ahead of his bout against the Mexican star, having spent the majority of his professional career campaigning at welterweight.

The 37-year-old did make his super-welterweight debut last August however, dethroning Uzbek star Israil Madrimov of his WBA world title in Los Angeles.

As for Canelo, the 34-year-old from Guadalajara has proven to be a dominant force at super-middleweight since he made the jump from 160lbs in 2018, defeating the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Jermell Charlo and Caleb Plant amongst many others during this seven year period.

With just months to go until his blockbuster showdown with Terence Crawford, undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez surprised fans and pundits by hinting that retirement may not be far off.

During a recent media appearance, Alvarez suggested that fighting Crawford could mark “the end” of his illustrious boxing career, and he’s already planning his exit.

Fresh off his fifth consecutive undisputed title defense, Alvarez is gearing up to face Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.

But even as boxing’s biggest fight hits the promotional circuit, the Mexican icon is already eyeing life beyond the sport.

A legendary reign, a finite timeline

In candid remarks to the press, Canelo admitted he has long discussed hanging up his gloves upon turning 38. At 34, he told the Daily Mail: “My body is fine, I can keep fighting for several more years. 37 is the age I want to retire, not for boxing to retire me. I don’t need to do it for the money or legacy. I said I was going to retire at 37 and I’m sure I will.”

Signed to a landmark four-fight agreement with Saudi-backed promoter Turki Alalshikh, Alvarez has one bout remaining after Crawford, both inside and beyond the ring he indicates he’s already preparing for that final bell.

According to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, “I think the Crawford fight will be his last fight,” citing Canelo’s conservative engagement in recent camps and the toll it takes on his ageing body.

The Crawford fight: A fitting finale?

The mega-fight with undefeated Terence “Bud” Crawford represents the ultimate test for Alvarez-and potentially a perfect closing chapter.

Crawford, a three-weight undisputed champion, will ascend to 168 pounds for the bout. While himself entertaining retirement talk after the high-stakes match, Crawford knows a win would etch his own legacy.

For Alvarez, this could be the defining fight that sums up a decorated career, four weight-class titles, multiple marquee victories, and hundreds of millions earned in the process. Another fight, say, a classic trilogy with David Benavidez or rematch with Dmitry Bivol, could follow, but Alvarez sees 37 as a natural endpoint.

Alvarez‘s decision reflects far more than boxing wear-and-tear. Over the years, he’s balanced intense training with family life: married to Fernanda, father to Emily, Maria, and Saul Adiel. In interviews, he’s emphasized: “All I want is for you to be happy with what you do… I’ll be there to support you.”

As much as he loves boxing, Alvarez is mindful of the emotional and physical demands of further championship runs, and wants to retire on his own terms.