Terence Crawford’s Bold Claim: Beating Canelo Alvarez Would Make Him One of the Top 5 Fighters Ever

Terence “Bud” Crawford is no stranger to the spotlight. As an undefeated multi-division champion, he has cemented himself as one of the greatest boxers of his generation. However, he is not content with just being one of the best today—he wants to be remembered as one of the best ever. And in his mind, a victory over Canelo Álvarez would put him among the top five fighters in boxing history.

In a recent interview, Crawford made his ambitions clear:

“I would definitely rank top 5 if I beat Canelo. I’m really moving up three weight classes, fighting arguably one of the best Mexicans ever, at his weight, no rehydration clause, no nothing. You’re just fighting him at his best. I feel like winning this fight is gonna solidify me as an all-time great.”

With Crawford making the bold move to challenge Canelo at 168 pounds, the boxing world is abuzz with debate. Can the undisputed welterweight champion overcome the size disadvantage and shock the world? Let’s break down this highly anticipated showdown.

Crawford’s Historic Climb in Weight

One of the biggest talking points about this fight is the sheer difficulty of what Crawford is attempting. Moving up one or two weight classes is already a challenge, but Crawford is jumping three divisions—from 147 lbs to 168 lbs—to take on one of the most dominant super middleweights of all time.

For context, very few fighters in history have successfully made such a dramatic leap in weight while maintaining their effectiveness. Some of the legendary names who have done so include:

• Sugar Ray Leonard, who moved up to defeat Marvin Hagler.

• Roy Jones Jr., who jumped from light heavyweight to heavyweight to defeat John Ruiz.

• Manny Pacquiao, who won titles in a record eight different divisions.

If Crawford pulls off the upset, he will join this exclusive club and solidify his place among boxing’s all-time greats.

Canelo Álvarez: The Ultimate Test

While Crawford is undoubtedly one of the most skilled boxers today, he is stepping into Canelo Álvarez’s territory. The undisputed super middleweight champion has been dominant in the division, taking on and defeating elite fighters such as:

• Gennadiy Golovkin

• Callum Smith

• Billy Joe Saunders

• Caleb Plant

• Jermell Charlo

Canelo is not just bigger than Crawford—he is stronger, more experienced at 168 pounds, and accustomed to taking punches from naturally bigger men. His body attack is one of the most brutal in boxing, and he has a granite chin that has held up against some of the hardest hitters in the sport.

Despite this, Crawford is not backing down. He has repeatedly emphasized that he wants the best version of Canelo, with no weight restrictions or special conditions.

“No rehydration clause, no catchweight. I want to fight him at his best.”

This level of confidence and willingness to challenge himself is what makes Crawford a special fighter.

How Crawford Can Beat Canelo

To defeat Canelo Álvarez, Crawford must execute a near-perfect game plan. Here are the key factors that could lead to his success:

1. Superior Boxing IQ and Adaptability

Crawford is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent boxers in the game. His ability to switch stances mid-fight, make adjustments on the fly, and read his opponents’ tendencies is second to none.

One of his greatest weapons is his ability to control distance and timing, which will be crucial against a physically stronger opponent like Canelo.

2. Defensive Skills

Canelo has struggled in the past against slick, defensive-minded fighters. Floyd Mayweather gave him a boxing lesson in 2013, and even fighters like Erislandy Lara and Dmitry Bivol frustrated him with their movement.

Crawford, known for his ability to slip punches and counterpunch with precision, will need to use every ounce of his defensive skills to avoid Canelo’s punishing shots.

3. Conditioning and Stamina

Canelo has occasionally shown signs of slowing down in the later rounds, especially against fighters who keep him moving. If Crawford can maintain a high pace and make Canelo work, he may find success in the championship rounds.

The Challenge of Moving Up in Weight

Despite all of Crawford’s advantages in skill and ring IQ, the elephant in the room remains: size matters.

Moving up to 168 pounds means that Crawford will be facing opponents who are naturally bigger, stronger, and accustomed to carrying more muscle mass. Even though Crawford is known for his power at 147, it remains to be seen whether his punches will have the same effect against someone like Canelo, who has taken shots from some of the hardest hitters in multiple weight classes.

To help prepare for this, Crawford has been sparring with undefeated super-middleweight Lester Martinez—a heavy-handed fighter with a 19-0 record. His trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, has emphasized the importance of these sparring sessions in helping Crawford adjust to the physicality of the new weight class.

Canelo’s Take on the Fight

Canelo Álvarez is not underestimating Crawford, but he remains confident in his abilities. In a recent interview, he stated:

“This is one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing. Crawford is a great fighter, but he’s stepping into my world now. He’s never faced someone like me at this weight.”

Canelo knows that the pressure is on him as the bigger fighter, and a loss to Crawford would be a major blemish on his legacy.

The Legacy at Stake

For both fighters, this bout carries massive historical significance.

If Crawford Wins:

• He becomes a four-division champion and the first fighter ever to go from undisputed at 135, 140, and 147 to defeating an undisputed super middleweight champion.

• His undefeated record remains intact, further solidifying his place among the sport’s legends.

• He potentially surpasses Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in the all-time rankings.

If Canelo Wins:

• He reaffirms his dominance at 168 pounds and strengthens his case as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time.

• He silences any doubts about his ability to defeat elite, highly skilled boxers.

• He could set up future megafights against rising stars like David Benavidez or a rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

Regardless of the outcome, this fight will be remembered as one of the most significant bouts of the modern era.

Expert Predictions and Fan Reactions

The boxing world is divided on who will come out on top.

Promoter Bob Arum believes that Crawford’s ability to switch stances will cause problems for Canelo:

“Crawford’s stance switching and defensive abilities will befuddle Canelo. This is going to be a much closer fight than people think.”

However, some analysts believe that Canelo’s size and experience at 168 pounds will be too much for Crawford to overcome.

Fans have also been vocal on social media, with many excited about the fight’s historical implications. Some believe this is Crawford’s chance to prove he is one of the top five fighters of all time, while others think he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Final Thoughts: A Fight for the Ages

Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Álvarez is more than just a super fight—it’s a battle for legacy, history, and greatness. Both men have already achieved incredible success in their careers, but this fight could define them forever.

For Crawford, this is his moment to prove that he belongs in the conversation with Ali, Mayweather, Leonard, Robinson, and Pacquiao. For Canelo, this is another chance to show why he is the king of 168 pounds.

Regardless of who wins, boxing fans are in for an unforgettable showdown.