Oleksandr Usyk is backing Terence Crawford to beat Canelo Alvarez if their proposed super fight takes place.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has repeatedly made it clear that Canelo vs Crawford is on his boxing wishlist despite the gulf in weight between both men.
Turki Alalshikh is keen to make Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez.
Canelo is the reigning undisputed super-middleweight world champion while Crawford recently made the switch to super-welterweight after conquering the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.
Crawford was floated around as a possible opponent for Canelo ahead of his last fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend but Jaime Munguia was picked instead.
Providing ‘Bud’ defeats Israil Madrimov on August 3 for the WBA super welterweight crown he could end up boxing Canelo in the not-so-distant future.
Due to the size discrepancy, Crawford would undoubtedly open up as a heavy underdog but Usyk is confident the American has what it takes to pull off the upset.
“I like Terence. He is my friend but he is a crazy man. I say Terence win. Listen, Terence is a different man,” Usyk told the Three Knockdown Rule Podcast.
“He fights out of two sides [stances] right and left [southpaw and orthodox].
“He is a very smart man and feels the distance and space.”
Asked if he thinks the weight difference will play a factor in the fight’s outcome, Usyk replied: “Canelo is big, yeah and he is a good boxer but I say Terence. Terence can box like a big guy.”
Oleksandr Usyk thinks Crawford would beat Canelo despite the odds being stacked against him
Oleksandr Usyk thinks Crawford would beat Canelo despite the odds being stacked against himCredit: Getty
Crawford and Canelo would likely meet at middleweight rather than super-middleweight, where the Mexican superstar reigns supreme.
Canelo previously operated at 160lbs from 2015 to 2019 and picked up the IBF, WBA ‘super’ and WBC straps at the weight before moving up.
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Any appeal of boxing at super-middleweight may fade entirely if Canelo chooses to vacate his IBF title and lose his undisputed status.
The IBF is trying to order Canelo to face the lesser-known William Scull in his next fight, which is set to take place in September.
Canelo is undecided on whether he wishes to fight the Cuban boxer, who has fought no one of any note.
The purse bids for the fight have been postponed until June 13, giving Canelo an additional week to make his final decision.
