We’ve entered fight week for the highly anticipated clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford, set to take place on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. As part of our well-established tradition, we bring you the predictions of some of Italy’s historic boxing champions, who once again agreed to share with us their take on what might happen this Saturday inside the ropes!
Pietro Aurino, former European champion: Canelo
I won’t hide that just the other day I was talking with Alessandro Cherchi about this fight. It won’t be a walk in the park for Canelo—on the contrary, it’s a great matchup. I see it as 50–50, because Crawford, as we know, is a surgeon in the ring: fast, precise, a complete champion. On the other hand, there’s the great Canelo, who can turn a tough fight on paper into a walkover. I’ll admit I’ll be rooting for Canelo. But it won’t be easy. I’m sure it’ll go to the scorecards, and I hope Canelo wins.
Vincenzo Belcastro, former European champion: Canelo
I think it’s difficult to make a prediction on this fight. Certainly, Canelo is the best fighter of the moment; the only problem could be the weight, which in my opinion favors Crawford, but I trust in a superb performance from Canelo.
Stefania Bianchini, former WBC and European champion: Canelo
Canelo Alvarez is the favorite. The fact that he’s a natural super middleweight helps him, and I think he has more punching power than Crawford. Crawford is a fighter I really like: southpaw, with those very long arms… But coming up from a lower weight class doesn’t help him, and he seems a bit less strong than his opponent. Unless there are surprises, I think Canelo will retain his titles—though in boxing, you never know. How much I would love to see this fight live!
Roberto Cammarelle, Olympic gold medalist: Canelo
I believe Canelo will win because he has more experience at this level and hits harder than Crawford.
Francesco Damiani, former WBO champion, former European champion and Olympic silver medalist: Canelo
Crawford is a fighter with 41 wins, 31 of them inside the distance, so he’s always dangerous. Canelo, as we know, has been in many great fights and is a very tough opponent. I’d give a 60% chance of victory to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and 40% to Crawford. Still, Crawford is not to be underestimated, but I’ll say Canelo.
Alessandro Duran, former WBU and European champion: Crawford
I consider Crawford the best fighter around today. I first commented on one of his fights back in 2015 and was struck by his skill and class. I believe Crawford is technically superior to Canelo Alvarez; however, the big question mark is the physical factor. Crawford is a natural welterweight moving up to super middleweight, and a ten-kilo difference is a lot. That said, in my view Canelo Alvarez is on the decline and struggles against opponents who know how to box a certain way. The fights with Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol are proof of that. So I think Crawford can pull off the great feat of beating the Mexican star. He will have to be flawless, get his timing right, outbox him with speed, keep moving for twelve rounds… But I also think that at some point he may accept exchanges at close range if he doesn’t have the strength to keep up a moving style. This fight could recall a great fight from the past, still subject to debate: Hagler vs Leonard. Crawford will have to play the role of Leonard to win this bout.
Massimiliano Duran, former WBC and European champion: Canelo
I have to say Crawford is one of my favorite fighters. I believe Canelo is in slight decline, but I think the step up in weight will be decisive, and that’s why I see Canelo as the favorite. In any case, I expect it to be a great fight.
Mauro Galvano, former WBC and European champion: Canelo
Before giving my opinion on this fight, let me say that I believe Canelo Alvarez actually lost to Erislandy Lara. That fight was a gift to him. Lara would hit and move—he gave him a boxing lesson, so I consider that a loss. Against Crawford, though, the weight difference is too big, so there shouldn’t be any doubt: Canelo should win hands down, not because he’s a phenomenon, but because of the huge gap in weight classes. But I no longer trust this sport; I don’t know if things will unfold in a fair way. Everything revolves around social media and money… Seeing Jake Paul facing Tyson and Chavez’s son makes me think boxing is becoming a bit ridiculous. That’s why I follow it much less than I used to.
Emiliano Marsili, former IBO and European champion: Crawford
For me, Canelo is the best out there, but after all the battles he’s had, at 35 years old his body is starting to show wear and tear. Sooner or later, he’s going to lose clearly. Crawford is good, he’s a great champion, and everything will depend on how Canelo’s body holds up and how his training camp went. If the Mexican’s body holds up, he could win, otherwise Crawford will. I’d give Crawford a 60% chance of victory and Canelo 40%.
Vincenzo Nardiello, former WBC and European champion: Crawford by KO
In my opinion, Crawford is the favorite for two reasons. First, I think he’s more powerful, and second, unlike Canelo, he’s able to box effectively from long range. I don’t think the fight will last more than 6 or 7 rounds, and if it does, it will mean that the Mexican prepared really well.
Valerio Nati, former WBO and European champion: Canelo
I believe Canelo Alvarez will win! He’s powerful, and he always looks into his opponent’s eyes to read him better. And besides, he’s a puncher like me.
Vincenzo Picardi, Olympic bronze medalist: Crawford on points
I’ve always thought Crawford had the edge in this matchup, because not only does he have the physical build to stand up to Canelo, but he also has impeccable timing, the mark of a true champion. Since timing is his main weapon, I think Crawford can put Canelo in serious trouble. I believe he’ll win the fight on points.
Michele Piccirillo, former IBF, WBU and European champion: Canelo
I think Canelo could win, also because he has already fought at super middleweight and even at light heavyweight, so he’s absorbed heavier punches. That said, we’re talking about two genuinely great world champions, and it’s very difficult to predict the winner. But the way I see it, Canelo should win.
Luca Rigoldi, former European champion: Canelo
This is definitely not an easy fight to predict. I see Canelo as the favorite because of the physical difference, which is almost abyssal. It pains me to see Terence forced to take this fight—I think he’s one of the very best boxers out there, very respectable, a man of substance and few words. He’s shown his worth many times, and this time, despite everything, I’ll be rooting for him.
Andrea Sarritzu, former European champion: Crawford
I hope that for once the challenger wins—in this case, Crawford—because in terms of technical skills and boxing quality, he’s much better. Physically, Canelo surely has the advantage, but he’s never faced such a complete southpaw fighter as Crawford, with his creativity and his volume of punches from every angle. So this time, Canelo will have to work twice as hard as usual, even if his physical strength will likely show. If the physical difference doesn’t prove overwhelming, I think Crawford could win most of the rounds, because Canelo will struggle to close the distance and be forced to increase his punch output.
Loris Stecca, former WBA and European champion: Canelo by KO
In my humble opinion, Canelo will win inside the distance. Especially if this is his last fight, he’ll finish it before the final bell.
Maurizio Stecca, former WBO, European champion and Olympic gold medalist: undecided
Canelo is 35 years old, but he’s still hugely popular, with a record of 63 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws, and he’s always been one of the greats. But Crawford has his own case to make. He’s 37, two years older than Canelo, but when the ages are this close, it doesn’t really matter. He’s 41–0 with 31 KOs, so far he’s proven unbeatable. This is a beautiful fight, and I’m sure both fighters know each other well because they’ll have studied each other’s footage. When champions face off, any punch can be decisive, and that leads me to predict a KO—also because each man wants those titles at all costs. There will be an initial feeling-out phase, and then they can’t afford any mistakes, because in fights like this, “whoever slips, pays.” So my prediction is this: I won’t pick one or the other, but I sense a KO. I’ll add that Crawford is a southpaw, while Canelo fights orthodox. When you face a southpaw, you have to box differently—that stance has always been tricky because it’s unpredictable. To beat a southpaw, you have to attack, and I don’t know if Crawford will let himself be attacked. In any case, I think it will be a great fight.
Final tally:
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez: 11
Terence “Bud” Crawford: 5
Undecided: 1