Can Terence Crawford Beat Canelo Alvarez? Oleksandr Usyk Answers the Burning Question

If it happens, then there will be nothing like it. A diehard fan would probably kill to watch it—a once-in-a-lifetime kind of face-off. Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are at the top of their game now. But what would happen if two of the most recognizable faces in boxing agreed to a fight? For sure, it would be magical realism playing out in the ring. Reality check: three weight divisions separate them. Though talks are in place to get the two into a dance, there’s no confirmation thus far. But still, if ever they do get together, sitting at opposite corners, who stands a better chance at winning? There’s no harm in taking a shot at a tentative outcome.

21st century’s first undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, has no reason to hesitate. The Olympic gold medalist shared during an interview who he feels could emerge as the winner between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez. The best P4P boxer in the world has a rematch with Tyson Fury scheduled for December 21.

‘The Cat’ joined Steve Kim and Mario Lopez in ‘The 3 Knockdown Rule’s latest episode. As the show neared its end, Lopez asked, “What about there? There’s talk. It’s not official, of course, but there’s talk of a potential fight between Canelo and Terrence Crawford. Yeah, how do you see that fight?”

Thumping his chest, Oleksandr Usyk made it clear where his heart goes. “I like Terrence; it’s …my friend, but it’s it’s crazy man. Listen, I… I say Terence win yes, …Terrence win, but listen, Terence, it’s different, man. Terence work in two… two sides—right and left, but it’s it’s very smart, man. It’s very very very smart, but feel distance and the place…”

Of course, the million-dollar question didn’t go anywhere. Mario Lopez asked whether the weight difference between the two could play a crucial role in their fight. Steven Kim couldn’t help but chip in. Lopez was discussing weights with a boxer who outboxed a now-former world champion, standing nearly 30 pounds heavier!

But ‘The Cat’ still landed on its four legs. He acknowledged Canelo Alvarez’s boxing prowess and relatively larger physique. However, when it boils down to winning, Terence Crawford remains Oleksandr Usyk’s pick. Soon after he secured the welterweight division’s undisputed championship, Terence Crawford had made clear where his intentions lay.

The bitter truth behind the prospective dream fight 

While discussing his future prospects with ‘Charlamagne tha God’, and DJ Envy, the discussion inevitably anchored at the Canelo Alvarez fight. ‘Charlamagne tha God’, like many, expressed his concerns over the weight difference between the two. But it seems ‘Bud’ had a workaround for the issue. ‘Catchweight’, said the classic switch-hitter. “We can we can do something at a catchweight,” he said in the Breakfast Club. He later revealed that 160 lbs could be the ideal weight for him to face the Mexican icon.

But what about the undisputed supermiddleweight champion? Where does he stand on it? While acknowledging Crawford’s ring prowess, the Mexican world champion hasn’t been explicit about his enthusiasm for a fight. In fact, early this year, during an interview with BoxAzteca, Canelo Alvarez said, “… I have everything to lose and nothing to gain because if I win, they’ll say, ‘Oh, he was too small, and everything.”

Amidst this back-and-forth, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, reportedly rooting for a mega fight between the two boxing icons, raised some hopes. However, if the latest reports could be believed, Canelo Alvarez doesn’t seem too keen to proceed with the idea.

What’s your take on Oleksandr Usyk’s assessment of the Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez fight, if it takes place at all?