A former **Super Middleweight Champion** has sparked controversy in the boxing world by claiming that **Terence Crawford could defeat Canelo Alvarez** in a potential showdown. While Crawford is undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters today, many critics and fans find this statement **completely absurd**, given Canelo’s size, power, and experience at higher weight classes.
So, is there any truth to this bold prediction? **Could Crawford really dethrone Canelo, or is this just wishful thinking?** Let’s break it down.
### **Why the Former Champion Believes Crawford Can Beat Canelo**
The **former Super Middleweight Champion**, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, recently stated in an interview that **Terence Crawford has the skills, speed, and boxing IQ to outclass Canelo Alvarez**. According to him, Crawford’s **elite counterpunching, footwork, and ability to adapt** make him a nightmare for any opponent—even a dominant force like Canelo.
Additionally, he pointed out that:
✅ **Canelo has struggled against slick, technical boxers in the past** (such as Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol).
✅ **Crawford’s versatility allows him to switch stances and keep opponents guessing**.
✅ **Canelo’s stamina has been questioned in fights against high-volume punchers**.
While these are valid points, many experts **still believe that Crawford would be at a massive disadvantage** in a fight against Canelo.
### **The Biggest Challenges for Crawford Against Canelo**
While Crawford is a **two-division undisputed champion**, stepping up to fight Canelo at **168 pounds** would be a completely different challenge. Here’s why many critics **dismiss the idea of Crawford beating Canelo**:
1️⃣ **Size & Power Disadvantage** – Canelo has been competing at **super middleweight and light heavyweight**, where he has proven knockout power. Crawford, on the other hand, has never fought above **147 pounds**.
2️⃣ **Canelo’s Iron Chin** – Unlike Crawford’s past opponents, Canelo has shown **incredible durability**, absorbing powerful shots from bigger fighters like Gennady Golovkin and Sergey Kovalev.
3️⃣ **Experience at Higher Weight Classes** – Canelo has fought and beaten elite fighters at **168 and 175 lbs**, while Crawford has yet to test himself beyond welterweight.
These factors make many boxing analysts believe that **Crawford’s skill set wouldn’t be enough to overcome the sheer physicality of Canelo Alvarez**.
### **What Do Boxing Experts Say?**
Most boxing analysts agree that **Crawford is an exceptional talent**, but moving up to fight Canelo would be **a huge risk with low reward**. Some notable opinions include:
👊 **Teddy Atlas**: _”Crawford is special, but fighting Canelo at 168? That’s a different beast.”_
👊 **Andre Ward**: _”I love Crawford’s skill set, but you have to respect weight classes.”_
👊 **Roy Jones Jr.**: _”Canelo is too big, too strong. It’s not just about skill—it’s about physics.”_
### **Could This Fight Actually Happen?**
While **Canelo vs. Crawford** is an intriguing fantasy fight, the chances of it happening are **very slim**. Crawford has hinted at moving up in weight, but **jumping from 147 lbs to 168 lbs is a massive leap**.
Additionally, Canelo has several big-name opponents lined up at **super middleweight**, including **David Benavidez, Jermall Charlo, and a potential rematch with Dmitry Bivol**. Unless the demand for this fight skyrockets, **it’s unlikely to become a reality**.
### **Final Verdict – Can Crawford Really Beat Canelo?**
While **Terence Crawford is one of the most skilled boxers of this generation**, beating Canelo Alvarez at **168 pounds** would be **one of the most difficult challenges in boxing history**. The size, power, and experience gap **favor Canelo heavily**, making this an extremely tough fight for Crawford.
Could it happen? Maybe. But **would Crawford win? Most experts say no**.