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One of the biggest fights of the year is almost upon us as Canelo Alvarez takes on Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.
Canelo is the reigning two-time undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world, with Crawford stepping up another two divisions with the aim of becoming the first male fighter to become undisputed in three different weight classes in the four-belt era.
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Both men are reaching the latter stages of their illustrious careers now, with Canelo 35 years old and Crawford turning 38 shortly after the bout. Legacies are on the line.
Here’s how boxing legends and experts see the huge fight playing out...
Oleksandr Usyk
“Terence is my friend, but he’s a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances; he’s a very, very, very smart man.”
Mike Tyson
“I want Crawford to win, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. I would like for it to happen, [but] this guy [Alvarez] is a hard puncher, he’s a smart fighter. I want to see it.
"Canelo's feet aren't that fast. Why did he lose to Mayweather a long time ago? I know it was a million years ago, but it wasn't because his hands were too slow, his feet were too slow. He couldn't close the gap fast enough and I think he's going to have a problem in the same area."
Tyson Fury
"[It's a] very tough fight, different weight categories. What weight would this fight happen? I don’t know. At 168, I’m gonna say Canelo. At 140, I’m gonna say Crawford. So I’ll go with Canelo."
"I think it’s a fantastic fight for boxing. It’s two of the biggest names in boxing coming together. Two men, pride on the line and everything to fight for.
"They’re two proud champions and I wish them all the best. They’re going to go in there, do their best, entertain the public and provide for their families, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Gervonta Davis
"Now it's like, 'whoever's great, make them fight each other! Crawford needs the money and, yeah, he can win.
"I'm not trying to convince you guys [the reporters] that Crawford can beat Canelo, he's a good fighter! Smarter fighters are always better than bigger fighters, as they know how to move, and his guy is great at what he does."
Eddie Hearn
"It's just the mindset of Crawford. Like, there, there's no doubt in his mind that he's winning this fight. And when you spend some time with him, you really start to buy into that.
"It's a 50-50 fight. Gun to head, I'm probably picking Crawford right one, but I want Canelo to win. Canelo can win, for sure, but Terence will make it tricky and awkward for him."
Chris Eubank Jr
"Canelo is too big, it doesn't make sense. I've said before that I would love to fight Terence. I've said that if he was ever to step up and fight Canelo, then he would have to step up and fight me first.
"If he was able to get through me, then he could fight Canelo. But they wouldn't do that, because they know what would happen."
Manny Pacquiao
"It's not easy for Crawford. Canelo has a big advantage, so Crawford needs to manage his body, his speed and his power as he is moving up a weight level.
"It's not only the speed, but the techniques to use in the fight. [Crawford] needs to make sure that in his daily routine, make sure that the stragety and combinations are accurate to [Canelo's] style.”
Amir Khan
"I love both fighters. I just feel that in boxing, weight levels are there for a reason. A highly respect and believe, pound for pound, the best fighter is Crawford by far. He beats anyone.
"But, when you start putting weight on, and you go up a weight to fight guys like Canelo, he's still going to be very dangerous. That punch power, you're still going to get tagged, you're going to have to spar [with] heavy guys, so you'll be taking more wear and tear [in the build-up].
"Does he need to put that pressure on himself? I would advise him not to, but he knows how good he is himself ... he might prove us wrong, and prove stronger than Canelo. [Crawford] has to be 100 per cent certain [he can beat Canelo]."
John Fury
"For my money, Crawford on skillset is in a different ballpark to Canelo. But when you move up in weights, Canelo is a strong man, a fighting man, a game man, so give him his due. But I just see Crawford [winning]. Canelo is good, but look what happened with Dmitry Bivol, y'know, Bivol beat him, didn't he.
"In the end of the day, Crawford, for my money, is leagues ahead of all of them guys. Canelo is not going to get close to him. [Crawford]'s got everything."
Roy Jones Jr
"I like Terence, but I’m going to lean towards Canelo with his size early, but if he lets Terence get into the fight Terence going to be a problem and if Terence can deal with the size, Terence will beat him.
"We don’t know until we see Terence get hit, cause we haven’t seen him get hit with that power. That’s the deciding factor. If you can change Bud’s fight plan you got a chance of beating him, but if you can’t hurt him, you can’t change his fight plan, and you got problems."
Andre Ward
"Alvarez is the face of boxing and has never been beaten down or dominated. He may have draws and losses on his record, but there are explanations - moving up in weight or nights where he felt he could have got the nod.
"Alvarez has more miles on the clock, but Crawford, who turns 38 shortly after the fight, is the older man. He's been around a long time and had a long amateur career too. The weight disparity, and what Crawford is attempting - moving up two divisions to chase a third undisputed crown - only adds to the allure.
"I'm not a betting man, but it's hard to bet against Crawford. It's later than it should have been, but he is finally getting recognition as an all-time great. He has never lost, yet there has to be a blueprint to beat him. Can Alvarez be the one to find it?"
Teddy Atlas
"When it was only vaguely proposed, a lot people said Crawford is too small. When it was going through those times, I didn't hesitate, I said Crawford. I'm not changing now.
"I am looking for Crawford to win the outside, I know he's still got good length on him. Use his length, use his legs a little bit, grab the canvas.
"Canelo's feet aren't that fast. Why did he lose to Mayweather a long time ago? I know it was a million years ago, but it wasn't because his hands were too slow, his feet were too slow. He couldn't close the gap fast enough and I think he's going to have a problem in the same area."
Keith Thurman
"Victory comes in preparation. The only way Crawford even gets close to winning is through the preparation. If he truly wants to win, what you will see within the first opening half is him working behind the jab. If he does not work behind the jab, he is not geared for the tactical approach, and the only other approach is the Hail Mary.
"The other thing, too, has Canelo lost a little bit of his bite? He hasn't been tremendously devastating and taking people out. That re-establishes the fight and is in Crawford's favor there.
“It's what boxing's all about: the one who really wants it is the one who's gonna win. I know [Crawford] wants it, he's from my generation, he's a true American, I'm in his corner, I wish him the best of luck, but I don't doubt Canelo. I don't doubt what Canelo's capable of."
Robert Garcia
“I think that was a great move to bring Boots [sparring partner Jaron Ennis] into camp. The choice means that Canelo wants to be in the best shape of his life. It's a big plus. I give Canelo an even bigger edge now because of the kind of training I am sure he's going through.
“Boots is the closest thing to Crawford when it comes to style and speed, all the way down to body size. Boots is perfect preparation for Canelo. That means Canelo is going to be ready and in top shape to do his job. That's a good sign. I do definitely see a little bit more of an advantage now for Canelo than I did before.”
Javiel Centeno
"Keeping his ego in check and not allowing the crowd to force him into unnecessary exchanges will suit [Crawford] well. He’ll have to close rounds strong and hope for the best if it goes to the scorecards as close rounds have historically have gone in favor of Canelo. I just hope he gets a fair shake.
"If Crawford banks a few of the early rounds, his conditioning will support him winning enough of the later rounds and get the win. He just can’t get caught!"
Ronnie Shields
"[Crawford] is going to show you his defense as well as his offence. Hit Canelo with solid shots and good shots and then not be there for the return. So engage, but there’s not going to be no brawling."
Virgil Hunter
"[Crawford must] absorb power, constant power from Canelo. If he can do that, he has a good chance ... [Alvarez] is excellent at cutting the ring off, but there are things that Crawford can do to offset you cutting the ring off. He has great pivots. He just has the instincts."
“When [Crawford's] mind is made up, he's going to be very difficult to beat. You're going have to discourage him to beat him. I haven't ever seen him discouraged before."
