Four-division champion and Hall of Fame fighter
Roy Jones Jr. knows all too well about crusading through weight classes.
“Captain Hook” won crowns at 160, 168, and 175 pounds (undisputed), and in 2003, climbed up to beat John Ruiz for a heavyweight title as well.
Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) is looking to accomplish a similar feat by stepping up two divisions, challenging undisputed super middleweight champion
Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Netflix.
Jones anticipates Crawford’s multi-dimensional skillset testing and ultimately prevailing past Alvarez.
“Terence has been bulking up to the weight just like I did as a heavyweight,” Jones told
The Ring. “If he can deal with super middleweights and light heavyweights in training, you can deal with them in the fight. The weight should not even be an issue … He's a great small guy and a great small guy can do anything.
“If Canelo fights the absolute correct fight that he can fight, he does have a chance and I think he could be victorious. If he doesn't, Crawford has six ways that he can win it. My money would go with a guy who has six ways to win it over the man who has one way of winning.
“I love both guys and they are both great fighters. But I am leaning toward Crawford because there are a lot of 'I don't knows' about Canelo. I don't know if Canelo is hungry. I know Bud is hungry – he stays hungry. Bud has never gotten the recognition for what he's deserved like Canelo has. Bud is still hungry for that recognition. Being hungry like that, a determined man, will be very hard to deter.
“If [Alvarez doesn't fight the perfect fight], he's in trouble. It's going to be a problem. If he does, he should be all good.”
Jones advised to appreciate and acknowledge Crawford as an all-time great if he pulls off the upset against the bigger and stronger Alvarez.
“We may never see [what Crawford is doing] ever again,” said Jones. “People don't like to celebrate reality when it's happening. They'll wait until a person is dead to talk about it. If he becomes a three-division undisputed champion, you can put him in the conversation for one of the best ever, pound for pound.
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.