Terence Crawford and
Jermell Charlo were undisputed champions, but for
Canelo Alvarez, that’s where the comparisons stop.
In September 2023, Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) left his undisputed junior middleweight throne behind to challenge Alvarez for all of the super middleweight marbles.
Although he talked a big game, Charlo moved excessively after feeling Alvarez’s power, resulting in a lopsided decision loss.
Now it's Crawford's turn.
Streamed worldwide on Netflix at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Crawford will put on 14 pounds to challenge Alvarez for his undisputed 168-pound crown.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) appears to be at a size disadvantage, leading some to believe that once things get too hot he may curl up and refuse to engage — similar to Charlo.
Alvarez, though, doubts that will happen.
“I think Crawford has more pride, that’s what I think,” he said on
The Ring’s new weekly show “Inside The Ring.”In addition to believing Crawford is cut from a different cloth, Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) hopes he’ll come to fight, something
William Scull didn’t exactly do a few months ago.
The Cuban native
handed over his IBF title to Alvarez following 12 listless rounds on May 3. The crowd that filled ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia wasn’t pleased, either, as boos emanated throughout.
Crawford, who became a four-division champion after outpointing
Israil Madrimov for his WBA junior middleweight title in August 2024, has repeatedly stated he won't run. While Alvarez doesn’t believe the 37-year-old will find a way to victory, he feels once the going gets tough his opponent won't cower, either.
He won't follow the Charlo blueprint.
“I don’t think it’s gonna be the same,” Alvarez said. “He’s gonna try to win.”