Terence Crawford’s skills aren’t being doubted, but more so his ability to take punishment for 12 rounds from a bigger man.

For the first time in his career, Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) will fight in the super middleweight division when he challenges Canelo Alvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, streaming worldwide on Netflix.

Crawford, who beat Israil Madrimov at 154 pounds to win the WBA title last August, has always fought in lower weight classes. Nevertheless, Brian “Bomac” McIntyre, his longtime trainer, doesn’t see it that way.

While Crawford has consistently tussled with the top dogs in lower divisions, apparently, he was simply squeezing down.

“Man, listen, he should’ve been at 168 a long time ago,” McIntyre told The Ring. “But I was making him take advantage of ‘35, ‘40, ‘47.”

Even if you’ve known Crawford for years, he looks unrecognizable nowadays. The thought of making weight no longer shackles him, and he can seemingly let loose in training. As a result, he looks more muscular than usual.

Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) isn’t worried about the added muscles. For the last five years, give or take, he has campaigned at 168 pounds. The extra time he was given to grow into the weight class has resulted in two separate undisputed reigns.

The Mexican star has become accustomed to having every belt in his possession and doesn’t see what Crawford will bring to the table to trouble him.

McIntyre, of course, is standing right beside his fighter. And while many are concerned that he doesn’t have enough rocks in his pocket to make up for the weight difference, McIntyre assures fans that Crawford isn’t some little guy going up against a Goliath.

“He naturally walks around big any damn way,” McIntyre said. “He should’ve been a 168.”