You can count Dmitry Bivol among the growing group of experts who aren’t dismissing Terence Crawford’s chances against Canelo Alvarez. With the highly anticipated bout set for September in Las Vegas, Bivol—who knows a thing or two about beating Canelo after his decisive victory over him a few years ago at light heavyweight—believes “Bud” has what it takes to come out on top.
In a chat with The Ring, Bivol, the reigning unified champion at 175 pounds, shared his impressions after running into Crawford recently. He was taken aback by just how big Crawford appeared.
“When I first heard about the Canelo-Crawford matchup, I naturally questioned if it was a good move for Crawford to jump up two weight classes,” Bivol explained. “But then I saw him in Dubai about a month ago, and my perspective changed. He looked ‘big.’ His skills are exceptional. He’s one of my top picks. He definitely has the ability to win. Still, there are lots of unknowns. We don’t yet know how he will acclimate to the power and pressure at 168 pounds. It’s a significant jump. Maybe he’ll get used to it, and if he does, he’s got the skills, the unconventional style, the ambidexterity—all those things could work in his favor.”
In some respects, Bivol’s own victory over Canelo might provide a strategic playbook for Crawford as he gears up for this showdown. Should Crawford manage to clinch this victory, it’ll likely be via decision. Crawford, boasting a spotless 41-0 record with 31 knockouts, arguably has sharper skills in the ring, though Canelo’s capabilities are undeniable, and he’s been outmaneuvered before (remember Floyd Mayweather?).
The size difference, however, is a sticking point for many, as fans worry that Canelo, with his 62-2-2 record and 39 knockouts, will simply be too sizable, too formidable on the big night. The weigh-in is expected to be quite a spectacle, sure to fuel debates. If Canelo and Crawford were physically identical in size and weight, most would bet on Crawford. But, as the saying goes, weight classes exist for a reason. With his raw power and aggression, Canelo might just overturn an initial lead from Crawford with a late stoppage. Yet there are seasoned observers who believe Crawford has the finesse to edge out a narrow decision win.
Bivol, along with many others, is eagerly awaiting this mega matchup. Perhaps we’re in for an extraordinary strategic battle this September. As the fight approaches, excitement continues to build, and it seems we might be in for something truly memorable.
