The Ultimate showdown: Canelo Vs Crawford

We’re just a few days away from what many are calling the biggest fight of the decade, one that will further cement the legacies of two legendary fighters.

Both men enter the ring coming off wins, though their recent performances left more questions than answers.

Terence Crawford is returning from a close victory over Israil Madrimov more than a year ago. At the same time, Canelo Álvarez is fresh off an uninspiring bout with William Scull, a fight that set the record for the fewest punches thrown in a 12-round contest.

We shouldn’t let those outings shape our expectations for this matchup. Instead, they remind us that both fighters can make the necessary adjustments and arrive with well-crafted game plans.

Crawford will be fighting at 168 pounds for the first time, and this will also be his first appearance in over a year. Naturally, questions arise: will ring rust be a factor? How will he adapt to the extra weight? Can he withstand the power in this division? At this level, however, adaptability is rarely an issue. We’ve seen Crawford rise from adversity before, getting hurt and then stopping Yuriorkis Gamboa, or seamlessly switching stances and pace as he did against Shawn Porter, when he was told he was behind on the scorecards in round 10 before closing the show.

Crawford’s keys to victory will likely be his movement and feints, as most expect Canelo to press forward and apply pressure. Still, he cannot simply replicate William Scull’s approach of moving without engaging. While that fight showed Canelo’s challenge in cutting off the ring, it also highlighted the difficulty of attacking an opponent who refuses to trade. Instead, Crawford may look to take a page from Erislandy Lara and Dimitri Bivol's strategy, sticking and moving with sharp counters. He could also choose to press forward early to earn Canelo’s respect, much like Canelo did against Gennady Golovkin in their rematch after allowing GGG to dictate in their first meeting.

Another major weapon for Crawford is his ability to switch stances. Recently, he has favoured the southpaw position, which gives him openings for his straight left and lead right hook. However, that also places him in range for Canelo’s most dangerous punches, the right hand and left hook. This southpaw-orthodox dynamic also creates opportunities for both men to use their rear uppercut: Crawford timed Porter perfectly with it, while Canelo landed it brilliantly on Billy Joe Saunders.

After the Scull fight, critics questioned Canelo’s ability to handle slick movers and effectively cut off the ring. Yet as mentioned, when an opponent refuses to engage, exchanges are limited. Canelo, as the seasoned veteran he is, will certainly prepare for Crawford’s possible hit-and-move tactics, especially knowing Crawford is untested at 168 and carries the threat of fight-ending precision. Traditionally, Canelo builds momentum as fights progress, often conceding early rounds while studying his opponent’s patterns, waiting for the perfect opening.

This time, I expect Canelo to use feints early to read Crawford’s reactions and perhaps even throw some heavy shots to demand respect. He may also lean more on combinations rather than single power punches, a lesson from his loss to Dmitry Bivol.

What will be most fascinating, however, are the quieter moments of the fight, the exchanges of subtle feints, the reading of micro-adjustments, the tactical chess where the smallest details decide the outcome.

Because at its core, this is more than a fight. It is prose written into poetry, expressed through art.