Hamzah Sheeraz believes that for Terence Crawford, the two-section weight jump will be too many to win against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 13. Sheeraz predicts that Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KO) will be a “late stop” for Crawford (41-0, 31 KOS).
Sheeraz said Crawford’s inactivity over the past five years will affect his performance. A fighter cannot be as inactive as before and confronts elite-level fighters like Canelo.
Hamzah believes Canelo has seen many different styles in his long career and he will not be bothered by Crawford’s skills. Here are other fighters before him, some of whom are bigger, stronger and younger than the 38-year-old.
canelo ko? Sheeraz explains his choice
“I think Canelo won the late shutdown. Crawford is a talent and elite fighter of a generation, but I think there is a reason for having weight classes,” Hamzah Sheeraz said SecondCanelo Alvarez predicts to outperform Terence Crawford on September 13. “Crawford said this himself in an interview a few years ago. Obviously, when there is more money on the table, it changes, doesn’t it?”
Much depends on whether Crawford tried to play balls actively rather than safely, jabs, throw singles and move all night long. If Crawford tries to win by fighting Canelo, he will be eliminated.
Terence will most likely be as safe and boxed as he did in his final battle with Israel Madrimov. Crawford didn’t seize any chance after feeling Madrimov’s power. This makes the fight boring, the least entertainment to load cards in Los Angeles last August.
“He (Canelo) is all in with all styles. He was there with Bivol, and he was one of the most elite 175 pounds. Canelo is a natural 160, 168 pounds. So for him, he went there and did that, I don’t think Crawford’s tricks would bother him either,” Hamzah said.
Canelo has experience fighting Bivol, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Erislandy Lara. These are fighters that Crawford has in some ways similar to it. William Scull is faster, bigger, stronger, and more hands-on than Crawford. Alvarez handles Skel’s style very well. Scull is also a better combination puncher than Crawford.
When Scull threw it away, his fist was quick. He is the perfect opponent to prepare to fight Crawford.
Why Crawford’s layoffs matter
“I think it may. It will be. Especially at this elite level,” Sheeraz said, “Crawford has fought only once a year for five consecutive years since 2020. “He would understand what he was fighting against. He hadn’t played before, and his elite fighter and one of Canelo’s elite fighters were fun, but I still stuck with what I said.
This will be Crawford’s first in many things. This will be his first fight in 168 and his first battle with elite-level fighters in his 17-year career. Crawford, 38, will debut in 2025 after defeating Israel Madrimov in 2024.
Is Crawford ready to cheer?
Many are speculating on Terence’s decision to sit on the shelf for a year, rather than raising 168 fights once or twice to accommodate the new weight shift. This is a partition in Crawford.
It would be wise for him to gain some experience before facing King Canelo. Most agree that Crawford was afraid of losing or looking bad, and Turki Alalshikh changed his mind to play him.
Last updated on July 7, 20125
