A Terence Crawford Victory Over Canelo Could Open Up The Door Of Opportunity 

For many years, Terence Crawford has been listed as a current pound-for-pound great, but on Saturday night, September 13th, Crawford has a chance to solidify himself as an all-time great when he challenges the undisputed super-middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs).

This highly anticipated event is set to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, airing live on Netflix. While Canelo will try to add another prominent name to his impressive resume, Terence Crawford will be attempting to make more boxing history.

Back in August 2017, the then WBC, WBO super-lightweight world champion Terence Crawford faced the WBA, IBF champion Julius Indongo. With 1:35 left to go in the third round, Crawford connected with a vicious left-hand shot to the body.

Indongo went down to the canvas and rolled around from side to side due to the intense pain he was experiencing. The referee proceeded to count Indongo out, and with the victory, Terence Crawford became the new undisputed super-lightweight world champion.

Six years later, in July 2023, the then WBO welterweight world champion Terence Crawford faced WBA, WBC, IBF champion Errol Spence Jr. Crawford was dominant, as he stopped Spence in the 9th round and became a two-weight undisputed world champion.

Now Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) has jumped up three divisions, as he’s scheduled to battle Canelo Alvarez. Everyone knows Crawford’s skill set is elite, but the question is, will the weight be the deciding factor?

The defending two-time undisputed super-middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has been competing as a 168-pounder for the past six years, while the challenger Terence Crawford will be making his debut at super-middleweight.

On fight night, Terence Crawford will rely on his ring intelligence and his elite skill set. If Crawford is able to control the range and distance and box from the outside, then he will have a legitimate shot at pulling off the upset.

If he can collect the massive victory, Terence “Bud” Crawford will go down in history as a three-division undisputed world champion. In addition to making history, Crawford will also create opportunities.

For a three-year period, Canelo Alvarez manipulated the super-middleweight division as he successfully avoided the two most talented fighters at 168. Both David Benavidez and David Morrell decided to move up because Canelo refused to give either man an opportunity to fight for the undisputed crown.

Now, Terence Crawford has been put in a position to make history and provide opportunity. The previous two times Crawford won the undisputed crown, he proceeded to immediately move up to a higher weight class.

If Crawford defeats the undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez, the probability is high that Crawford will vacate and leave the division. This time, instead of going up, Crawford will probably move down to 160 or 154.

In the scenario of Crawford winning the bout and vacating the belts, this would equate to contenders such as Hamzah Sheeraz and Diego Pacheco receiving instant opportunities to compete for their first world title.

On Saturday night, September 13th, the 37-year-old Omaha, Nebraska native Terence “Bud” Crawford will be fighting for both legacy and the chance to blow up the super-middleweight division and provide opportunity for others.