Terence Crawford’s Newfound Power And Its Impact On His Challenge Against Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford’s sparring partner, Steven Nelson, says his power has increased with the size that he’s packed on for his fight against Canelo Alvarez on September 13th. He states that Crawford’s ability, hand speed, and movement are just as good as before he bulked up. The only thing that’s changed is his power.

Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) will challenge Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) for his undisputed super middleweight championship on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It’s a big two-weight jump for Crawford, going up from 154 to 168 to try to dethrone Alvarez.

Crawford’s Newfound Power

“Bud is going to do something that nobody ever expected. A lot of the doubters are going to be like, ‘damn,’ but they’ll come up with excuses like always,” said Steven Nelson to Fight hype about his prediction for Terence Crawford defeating Canelo Alvarez.

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There are many fans who are picking Crawford to win. So, it won’t be unexpected if he defeats Canelo on September 13th. It’s still a tall order. Canelo can be outworked, but due to his power, he still wins rounds because his shots are harder. T

hat’s the problem Crawford has. I don’t believe his power is on the level of Canelo’s last opponent, William Scull, nor his hand speed or combination punching ability. Alvarez still beat him by a 12-round unanimous decision despite throwing only 152 punches in the entire fight. “Now, I feel it’s different,” said Nelson when asked if Crawford’s power has increased with the muscle he’s put on. “Now, he has the power. He’s always had power, but now, it’s a different power,” said Nelson. “He still has the speed, movement, and ability. It’s crazy. Ain’t nothing changed, man. They’re going to see. I wish it were September [13] tomorrow.”

Power On The Lower End

Crawford had power at 135, 140, and 147. He was more of a combination puncher in those weight classes. That’s how he got his knockouts. At 154, Crawford’s shots weren’t on the level of the more powerful fighters in the division. In my opinion, his power was on the lower end of the spectrum, similar to that of Xander Zayas and Josh Kelly.

“Everybody is going to see. It’s going to be groundbreaking. It’s going to be something like a spaceship landing on Earth. People don’t know until they get in the ring. Like Errol said, ‘Bud’s power is real.’ That’s what makes people great. They always do something that people don’t expect,” said Nelson. Crawford’s power wasn’t “groundbreaking” in his last fight, moving up from 147 to 154 to battle WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3, 2024.

The fight showed that Terence’s strength hadn’t increased. He’d moved up, but his power appeared to be on the level of a welterweight. Now, Nelson is saying that Crawford’s power is “different.” What are we to believe? Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson didn’t see anything impressive in Crawford’s performance against Madrimov. “You gotta look good in order to not mess up your next fight. You fight this guy and you get your ass beat up,” said Tyson to Sports Illustrated.”

Fans would jump on board the Crawford bandwagon if he’d moved up to super middleweight in the last 13 months and beaten a couple of the top contenders. With Crawford choosing just to sit for an entire year, what does he expect people to think? He’s chosen not to take any risks and just wait for his super-fight against Canelo.

Red Flag Against Canelo vs. Crawford Judge Sparks National Boxing Commission Demand

The highly anticipated showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is now just ten days away, set to take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and streamed live on Netflix. Ahead of the historic clash, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has finalized the officials for the night. Judges Tim Cheatham, Max DeLuca, and Steve Weisfeld will be ringside, while veteran referee Tom Taylor has been assigned as the third man in the ring.

On a recent episode of his ‘THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas’ podcast, the 69-year-old renowned trainer raised serious concerns, particularly about Tim Cheatham’s record as a judge. Notably, Cheatham has scored three of Canelo’s past fights, including bouts against Billy Joe Saunders, Dmitry Bivol, and Jaime Munguia. Atlas went on to scrutinize Cheatham’s track record and shed light on what he described as the darker side of boxing politics.

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Canelo Alvarez Will Be Happy With Cheatham, Says Teddy Atlas

Atlas claimed that if there were two judges he would want thoroughly investigated, “I would say… it might be a good place to start with… [David] Sutherland and… Cheatham.” Cheatham recently came under scrutiny for his scoring in the Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora fight. He scored it 116-112 for Tszyu, even though Fundora appeared to dominate the bout. The other two judges scored it 115-113 and 116-113 in Fundora’s favor. Highlighting this, Atlas’ co-host pressed him on whether such officials should even be allowed to participate in high-profile fights.

Atlas explained that as the manager or promoter of a fighter, “you can’t say who you want, but you can say who you don’t want.” He noted that commissions ultimately decide which judges are assigned, depending on whether it’s a title or non-title fight. He criticized them for not having “a rotating system enough. It’s always the same guys… in the same locales.” According to Atlas, this breeds unhealthy familiarity between judges and promoters.

“[Promoters] wind up having a familiarity and relationship with the judges,” Atlas claimed. He advised commissions, “I think that you can help a lot by rotating and getting new blood in there,” to prevent close ties from forming. Atlas even alleged that promoters and judges “go out to dinner” together. Since promoters are the ones paying judges, he warned, “If those [judges] aren’t getting the decisions that [the promoters] want… you’ll be one of the [judges] that ain’t working. So we need a National Commission.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming fight, Atlas stated, “If I’m with Canelo, I think I’m happy with Cheatham. But if I’m with Crawford… I’m saying, ‘Wait a minute, hold on.’” Cheatham had Canelo Alvarez winning five rounds in a fight many observers believed Bivol controlled, losing no more than four rounds at best. Another judge that night, Steve Weisfeld, who will also be officiating the Canelo-Crawford bout, scored the fight identically.

“I’ve more singled out Tim Cheatham because of his inconsistencies.” Atlas’ co-host said during the podcast. But the lingering question remains: what recourse does Crawford’s team really have if they want the judging panel changed to ensure fairness?

Could Terence Crawford Do This in Response?

The co-host of the show pressed Atlas about the options Crawford has if he wants to make a change. “You’re telling the manager, really, for the most part,” Atlas explained. “You can put in for rejecting somebody and hope that you get your way.” The veteran trainer shared that he has no idea what Crawford’s team is doing since the officials were announced.

Still, he claimed that if he were in Terence Crawford’s team, the judges’ panel for the fight would worry him. “If I’m with Crawford, I’m thinking Jesus. This is a guy who had it real close with Canelo-Bivol,” he said. As for how Atlas saw the Canelo-Bivol fight, “I had Bivol winning 11 rounds… even if you said 10, you’d be kind of generous.”

Teddy Atlas has sounded alarm bells after the officials for the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight on Netflix were revealed. However, whether Crawford decides to get the panel changed is yet to be seen.

Canelo Alvarez sends message to Terence Crawford: “It takes two for a good fight”

In the run-up to the showdown between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford, the Mexican boxer spoke to a national sports media outlet, praising the fight that will take place on September 13. Both fighters will face each other for the unified super middleweight title, at 168 pounds (76.2 kilograms).

The fight will take place at the Raiders’ home in Las Vegas and will be broadcast by Netflix streaming service for the United States. Canelo holds the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world titles.

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“I feel like I’m the best” – Canelo Alvarez ahead of fight with Terence Crawford

During the interview with Central Fox, the Guadalajara fighter said that, for him, the fight against Terence Crawford will be the biggest in the history of boxing because “everyone is going to watch it”. Canelo will fight the American on the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day, so the crowd will be on his side.

However, not all boxing analysts are on Alvarez’s side, as some claim that he is not the best in his weight class. To this he replied: “(…) I don’t give a damn. I feel I’m the best… and that’s it, I don’t focus on what people say. To have a good fight, it takes both boxers,” he said.

The Tlaxcala II Belt is presented to the winner between Canelo and Crawford

A beautiful handcrafted work is what Saul Alvarez and Terence Crawford will fight for on September 13 in Las Vegas, as the Tlaxcala II Commemorative Belt will also be at stake. It was presented this afternoon, with the presence of the president of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman.

The handicraft, said the boxing leader, is a gift from Mexico to the world of boxing and will be part of one of the most important cards of this year with the return of Canelo Alvarez to Las Vegas against an undefeated rival. Considered, like the Mexican, as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters today.

Canelo Alvarez Details What He Expects From Terence Crawford

Canelo Alvarez knows that he is in for the one of the toughest fights of his life on Sept. 13.

Alvarez has been one of the biggest stars in boxing for nearly a decade, but fans have been critical of the lack of action in his recent performances. Alvarez blamed the lackluster outings on his recent opponents, namely William Scull.

“To have a good fight, you need both fighters,” Alvarez told Ring Magazine. “Boxing is you throw, you get in there and move your ways, move around a little bit, but throw punches. That’s boxing. But when you have one fighter, like we saw with [William] Scull, like running and running, that’s not the kind of fight you want, right? It’s very difficult to close that way and everything. What kind of style is that?

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However, Alvarez does not expect the same game plan from Terence Crawford. The undisputed champion said that Crawford is “not that kind of fighter” and expects his upcoming opponent to bring the action.

“I hope not. I think Crawford is not that kind of fighter. He’s different; he boxes, and I like that.”

Crawford has not typically been the type of fighter to “run.” The 37-year-old has 31 knockouts in his 41 professional fights, including 11 of his last 12.

However, his last outing, a unanimous decision win over Israil Madrimov in his super welterweight debut, was not the most entertaining. Crawford landed just 95 punches across 12 rounds, an unusually low output for him.

Some fans attributed the semi-cautious approach to the change in weight, while others blamed Crawford’s age or Madrimov’s unorthodox style. Regardless, none of the factors are encouraging as ‘Bud’ prepares to move up two more weight divisions for the blockbuster fight with Alvarez.

Canelo Alvarez expects clash of styles against Terence Crawford

While Alvarez is aware of the criticism of his recent performances, he expects the narrative to change after his fight with Crawford. The former pound-for-pound king has not recorded a knockout victory since November 2021, but believes that Crawford’s style could set up an exciting finish.

Alvarez knows that even if he wins, some fans will poke holes at the victory and point out the vast size difference. However, he is also aware that a big knockout victory over a consensus top-three pound-for-pound boxer in the world would force people to reconsider him as one of the most skilled athletes in the sport.

Canelo Alvarez Questions Terence Crawford’s Mental Fortitude, Citing An Unfamiliar Grand Stage

Canelo Alvarez predicts that Terence Crawford will be intimidated by fighting in front of the large crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13th. Alvarez believes that Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) could be unnerved fighting in front of a massive crowd for the first time in his career.

ALLEGIANT STADIUM’S INTIMIDATION FACTOR

That could throw him off because he won’t have the fans eating out of the palm of his hand like he’s accustomed to when fighting in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. “He’s one of the best fighters. He accomplished a lot of things. A Mexican with an American fighter is always big,” said Canelo Alvarez to Ring Magazine, talking about Terence Crawford.

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“It’s going to be different for him. We’ll see how he handles that thing,” said Canelo on Crawford fighting in front of a large crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

In Crawford’s fight against Israil Madrimov on May 3, 2024, at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, he fought in front of a crowd of 23,000. The difference is that the fans were cheering for Crawford because he was the A-side. Many of the fans were seeing Madrimov for the first time.

In contrast, the Allegiant Stadium seats 65,000 and can be expanded to 72,000. The fans that are in attendance will likely mostly be cheering for Canelo, as he’s the superstar in this fight. He’s also fought in Las Vegas more than Crawford. Las Vegas Experience Canelo: 19 Crawford: 5 “I don’t think Crawford is that kind of fighter,” said Canelo when asked if Terence is going to move around a lot in their fight.

“He boxes, and I like that. I’m focused on Crawford, and then we’ll see,” said Alvarez on whether he’s interested in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. Crawford may not move as much as William Scull did in his fight with Canelo on May 3, 2025, but he’s still going to be on his bike much of the time. In Terence’s last fight against Israil Madrimov, he was frequently moving around, trying not to get hit. That’s why he came close to losing. Madrimov was the one pushing the fight, taking it to Crawford.

RATTLING CRAWFORD’S RESOLVE

“As soon as he feels the power, it’s going to be the same,” said Canelo when asked if, as soon as Crawford feels his power, he stops exchanging with him. “I don’t know. He’s a very good fighter, a smart fighter, and very disciplined,” said Alvarez on whether Crawford can hurt him. It makes sense what Canelo says about Crawford electing not to engage once he gets hit.

In the three big punchers Crawford has fought during his 17-year pro career, Madrimov, Yuriorkis Gamboa, and Egidijus Kavaliauskas, he moved around a lot. Against Errol Spence, Terence didn’t do much because he appeared weight drained, slow, and his reflexes looked poor.

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Mike Tyson has a clear favorite going into Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford and he hopes to see history repeat itself.

On September 13, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are set to clash for the undisputed super middleweight title in what guarantees to be the biggest boxing fight of the year.

The fight is not only hugely significant because of the title implications but also because it is TKO boxing‘s inaugural event and it will mark Dana White and Turki Alalshikh‘s first event together.

And ahead of the clash, Canelo and Crawford faced off with each other for the first time earlier this year and White had to step in the middle to stop a brawl from happening.

Mike Tyson declares who he wants to win clash

‘Bud’ Crawford is coming into the fight as the sizeable underdog, despite having never tasted defeat in his career.

But the main reason as to why Crawford is the underdog is because he is moving up in weight to take on the bigger Mexican.

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And it is because of that, that boxing legend Mike Tyson advised Crawford against taking the fight, claiming that it’s not a good idea.

However, talking about the fight more recently, ‘Iron’ Mike declared who he wants to win the fight, stating that he hopes we see history repeat itself.

“I want Crawford to win, but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen, I would like for that to happen but (Canelo) is a hard puncher, he’s a smart fighter, he can move,” Tyson told The Big Podcast.

As CountDown Begins: Crawford Reveals One thing He Won’t Hold Onto When the Bell Rings Against Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford may have it all to gain on September 13th against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, but he will lose one thing when he steps into the ring.

The fight against the undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo gives Crawford a chance to make history by potentially being the first male to become a three-weight undisputed titleholder in the four-belt era.

While some say he is poised to have the ‘night of his life’ against Alvarez, it is still unknown exactly how he will adapt to the fifth weight class of his career against an established 168 lb king.

His last undisputed title came during his greatest career performance against Errol Spence Jr in a huge grudge match, which crowned ‘Bud’ the best welterweight of his generation with a ninth stoppage.

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Terence Crawford will immediately lose one thing when he steps into the ring for the Canelo Alvarez fight

He is known for winning belts in multiple weight classes in style, with six knockouts in a seven-fight run in the super lightweight division to pick up all the belts.

But his most recent title win in the super welterweight division, in a fight where he was ‘pushed to the limit’ against Israil Madrimov, gained him another accolade.

The win made him the WBA champion, but the Omaha fighter has not defended it since the victory, instead opting to hold out for the super-fight against Alvarez.

This decision has now led the WBA president, Gilberto Mendoza Jr, to confirm, via Dan Rafael, that once the 37-year-old hears the sound of the bell, he will lose his title.

“He’s Gonna Prove It to the World: Why There’s a Blueprint to Beat Canelo—But None to Stop Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford on September 13”

The countdown has begun, and the boxing world is bracing for one of the most electrifying nights in modern history. On September 13, two titans of the sport will collide, but the conversation is already leaning toward one undeniable truth: Canelo Álvarez may be beatable, but Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford remains unsolved.

For years, critics and analysts have dissected Canelo’s style. He’s powerful, relentless, and decorated with titles across multiple divisions, yet many still believe he carries flaws. Fighters have showcased the cracks in his armor—whether it was Floyd Mayweather’s schooling, Dmitry Bivol’s precision, or even Gennady Golovkin’s punishing pressure. In other words, the boxing community has seen what it takes to beat Canelo. There’s a blueprint.

But when the conversation shifts to Terence Crawford, everything changes.

The Mystery of Crawford

Crawford isn’t just undefeated—he’s untouched. He adapts mid-fight like a chess grandmaster, seamlessly switching from orthodox to southpaw, dismantling opponents who once believed they had the key to breaking him down. The reality is harsher: no one has ever unlocked Crawford.

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From dismantling champions like Errol Spence Jr. in shocking fashion to asserting his dominance against Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, and Viktor Postol, Crawford has consistently proven there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to beat him. His unpredictability, timing, and ability to neutralize strengths make him a puzzle that fighters simply cannot solve.

As one insider boldly declared: “There’s a blueprint to beat Canelo—but there’s no blueprint to beat Bud.”

September 13: The Day of Reckoning

On September 13, the lights will be brighter than ever. Canelo, the Mexican superstar, steps into the ring with pride, legacy, and redemption on the line. Crawford, meanwhile, walks in as the man with everything to gain—legacy, respect, and the opportunity to etch his name into the greatest of all time conversation.

For Crawford, this isn’t just another fight. It’s a statement. He’s gonna prove it to the world. The whispers about him being too small, too untested at super middleweight, or incapable of handling Canelo’s raw power will all be silenced—if he walks away victorious.

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

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This isn’t just about titles, money, or fame. This is about history. A Crawford victory could forever tilt the balance of boxing’s narrative: from the dominance of Canelo Álvarez, the sport’s biggest superstar, to the brilliance of a fighter many are now daring to call the most complete boxer of his generation.

For Canelo, a win reaffirms his position as boxing’s face and the indomitable force at super middleweight. For Crawford, it means immortality.

Final Word

There’s no denying it—September 13 could change the sport forever. One fighter carries the weight of proven greatness with visible cracks in his foundation. The other, an undefeated genius, waiting to show that his brilliance has no limits.

The world is watching. The stakes are higher than ever. And when the bell rings, we may finally discover the answer to boxing’s biggest question: Is there truly no blueprint to beat Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford?

“Michael Conlan Boldly Backs ‘Bud’ to Pull Off the Shock Upset”Stunned by Intense Canelo-Crawford Face-Off 

Terence “Bud” Crawford is a +140 underdog at Bet MGM to defeat Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Sep. 13, but you would struggle to realize it after hearing the opinions of those involved in the sport.

Crawford seems to be favored by many, at least within the boxing fraternity, to defy logic and dethrone Alvarez of his undisputed super middleweight titles and make history as the first-ever three-weight male undisputed champion of the four-belt era at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

“I’m like [50-50]. I’ll flip-flop if I go too early. But when I watched the face-off and I [saw] Bud step to him and I [saw] Canelo’s face, I leaned towards Bud now,” featherweight contender Michael Conlan told Uncrowned and DAZN’s “Ariel x Ade” show last week. “At the start, I leaned toward Canelo because he’s so big, and [usually] the better big man beats the better smaller man.

“But Bud is just so game and one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound, of our generation, and I like him as a person. He’s a great guy. I think Bud just has the edge now. Canelo is probably starting to kind of go on the slide. Not much — he’s still an unbelievable fighter, one of the best of this generation as well. It’s an interesting fight, but something about that face-off made me go, Bud’s got this.'”

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Conlan’s fellow Irishman, the Dana White-backed prospect Callum Walsh, took over from Conlan as the Irish headlining act for St. Patrick’s Day weekend in New York. Now with Conlan and Katie Taylor heading toward the finish line in their storied careers, Walsh will look to take the next step in becoming the new face of Irish boxing with a win over Fernando Vargas Jr. in the Alvarez vs. Crawford co-feature.

“Callum is a fantastic fighter. [He’s] a great man. He can do big things in boxing,” Conlan said of Walsh. “He’s got the backing of Zuffa Boxing [Dana White]. They’ve been behind him with Tom Loeffler [360 Promotions] from the start, which has been fantastic. He’s probably more well-known in UFC audiences than boxing audiences because he’s been fighting on [UFC] Fight Pass a lot. But I think he’s the real deal. I think he knocks out Vargas. I don’t think Vargas is the best of the brothers, I think Emiliano [is]. I rate that kid so highly, he’s a fantastic fighter. I would say Fernando is second and Amado last.”

While Walsh is touted to be the future, Conlan realizes that his days as the present of Irish boxing are coming to a close. The former WBA title challenger confirmed to Uncrowned that while his Sep. 5 date with Jack Bateson will not be his last appearance in a boxing ring, it is part of his final run in the sport.

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“[My next fight is] definitely not [my] final fight,” Conlan insisted to Uncrowned. “[But] it’s the last roll of the dice. I’ll roll ’em and see how far they go. People say, ‘This is the best training camp I’ve had,’ and all this. I’m not gonna say it’s the best training camp I’ve [ever] had, but it’s the best I’ve been inside and outside the ring mentally and physically, and I’m in a great position.”

“I have no weight on my shoulders, no kind of worries. What will be will be. I’m at peace with that, so there’s no pressure. I can just go in and enjoy myself, and that’s what I plan to do for the rest of this career. I [still] want to get a world title. I’m aiming towards that. I think I can still do it. I believe I can still do it.”

Bateson, whose lone career defeat came to Shabaz Masoud in a November 2022 British title final eliminator, is a long way away from the world level at 126 pounds, but with Conlan having only an eight-round bout in the bank since brutal back-to-back stoppage defeats in 2023, it provides a measuring stick to ascertain what level Conlan is — and can still compete at for the remainder of his career.