Terence “Bud” Crawford has heard every reminder that Canelo Alvarez walked through Gennadiy Golovkin and Dmitry Bivol. The undisputed welterweight-turned-junior-middleweight says none of that matters on 13 September, when he leaps to 168 lbs for a legacy collision at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. “The right punch at the right time can do great damage,” Crawford told The Ring, adding that Canelo must be ready to absorb his own artillery, not just dish it out.
Crawford concedes he will have to endure Canelo’s rib-rattling body work, yet insists power is a two-way street. Though not a one-shot destroyer, the 36-year-old southpaw has dropped or stopped seven of his last eight opponents and believes timing, accuracy and spiteful follow-ups can carve up even the Mexican icon’s famed chin. “I believe in my punching power,” Bud said. “He’s gotta take my punches too.”
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For Alvarez, the mission is simpler: impose 14 pounds of natural size, pound Crawford to the flanks and make history’s first three-division undisputed champion pay for daring to be great. Critics who predict a cautious chess match may be surprised; both fighters understand that a clear, definitive victory is the only result that cements pound-for-pound supremacy.
Crawford calls this the fight of his life, Canelo calls it just another challenger. On 14 September, boxing fans will judge whose belief proves prophetic—and whether “one perfect shot” truly can crack Mexican granite.
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