From the moment
Terence Crawford's superfight against Canelo Alvarez was announced for Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the 37-year-old has been warned that the Mexican star has enough power to turn out his lights.
Edgar Berlanga knows
Alvarez’s power is nothing to play around with. After being floored in the third round of their bout a year ago, Berlanga went on to lose via unanimous decision.
Crawford, a smaller opponent who is moving up two weight classes, is a different animal. In his last outing, however, he picked up his fourth divisional championship thanks to his WBA junior middleweight title win over
Israil Madrimov in August 2024.
On that particular night, Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) used his brain instead of strength and power. With the Omaha native moving once again to face Alvarez for his Ring and undisputed super middleweight titles, Berlanga wants him to be even more cautious. As long as he uses his smarts, he’ll be just fine.
“I think Crawford just gotta be Crawford, show his IQ, show him why he’s a two-time undisputed world champion and go in there with confidence,” Berlanga said to Fight Hub TV.
Crawford has never been lacking in the confidence department, but Alvarez has a way of beating that out of opponents.
Berlanga,
Jermell Charlo,
Caleb Plant and
William Scull, to name a few, all walked into their fights against Alvarez with the utmost confidence, only to be shut down.
Crawford’s skills are on another level in comparison, but the question remains: Will he be able to withstand the pressure for 12 consecutive rounds?
Berlanga believes he can.
“I got faith in him. I think Crawford can do it,” Berlanga said. “I don’t doubt him.”