Israil Madrimov created the blueprint on how to defeat Terence Crawford a year ago, bringing him down to Earth in front of a large crowd on August 3rd, 2024, in Los Angeles.

What Madrimov created with that performance was a perfect plan on how to solve the Crawford puzzle that had confused 40 of his previous opponents.

CRAWFORD’S VULNERABILITIES EXPOSED BY MADRIMOV

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Although Crawford won a 12-round unanimous decision by the scores 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, fans saw it as a victory or, at the minimum, a draw for Madrimov. It didn’t matter that the A-side fighter with all the backing, Crawford, won; the blueprint on how to defeat him had been created by Israil.

Canelo Alvarez and his trainer, Eddy Reynoso, have been studying Madrimov’s performance against Crawford, learning from the technical guru to come up with ideas to use for their September 13th fight in Las Vegas.

There’s a lot Alvarez and the eagle-eyed Reynoso can get from the battle to use against Crawford. Terence’s age, inactivity, and moving up in weight from 147 to 154 also played a small part in Madrimov’s exposing him. Mostly, the flaws in his game were revealed by the more technically skilled Eastern European fighter.

By the midpoint of that fight, Crawford looked lost. You could see the way he was speaking to his trainer, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, in between rounds that he was desperate for answers. But none were forthcoming from BoMac, as he had no idea what to do.

After the sixth, BoMac said, ‘Just box him.’ That didn’t work because in the seventh, Madrimov nailed him with four consecutive right hands, one after another. Each punch snapped Crawford’s head back, making him resemble a bobblehead.

HOW MADRIMOV SOLVED THE CRAWFORD PUZZLE

The former amateur star, Madrimov (10-2-1, 7 KOs) showed that Crawford (41-0, 31 kOs) can be beaten by pressure, feints, precise potshot punching. Bud is a counter-puncher who thrived on taking advantage of his opponents’ throwing combinations. Madrimov didn’t do that.

He focused on throwing single power shots to catch Crawford napping. Israil’s footwork also played a part in what many fans felt was a deserved victory. He kept Terence guessing with his movement, because he never knew when the Uzbekistan native would attack him.

Canelo Alvarez gave rival Terence Crawford the ultimate compliment.

Canelo and Crawford are gearing up to fight in a blockbuster clash for the undisputed WBA, WBC IBF and WBO super-middleweight titles on September 13 in Las Vegas.

It has been a largely respectful build-up to the intriguing contest to boxing’s biggest fight this year.

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Both Alvarez and Crawford have paid respect to each other’s brilliance in the squared circle, despite having a push and a shove during a heated press conference in June.

‘Bud’ was asked which fightershe believed to be better than his rival Alvarez from a list in July, and in response he named De La Hoya, Bivol and Mayweather, with the latter two having beaten the Mexican.

In a recent interview with the Ring Magazine, Canelo was then instructed to follow the same idea, only responding when a boxer that he thought was better than Crawford was named.

The interviewer listed: Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Surprisingly, Canelo remained silent effectively ranking Crawford above the list of prestigious operators.

The Mexican himself holds history with Bivol and Mayweather, with both men handing Canelo a loss as they crossed paths in the ring.

So it comes as a big surprise that he has selected both fighters above Crawford.

But it shows that the current king of the division is not taking his new foe at all lightly, and will leave no stone unturned as his training camp continues.

Why is Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford such a big fight?

Both fighters are entering this highly anticipated super-fight with victories in their most recent bouts.

In May, Canelo claimed victory over William Scull, unifying the Cuban’s IBF title with his own WBA, WBC, and WBO belts.

Meanwhile Crawford hasn’t fought since Last September, but became a champion in a fourth weight category in a hard-fought win over Israil Madrimov.

He is stepping into the biggest fight of his career with a perfect 41-0 record.

But the American has never boxed higher than super-welterweight, and he will make the jump up two weight classes in this super-fight on September 13.

Should he take victory and capture the belts, it would be a monumental achievement.

And many believe it will see him brush shoulders with the all-time greats, including Floyd Mayweather, whom he will equal as a five-weight world champion with victory.

As for the champion Alvarez, it would be a seismic win and would see him wipe out yet another leading challenger.

Victory could open up avenues for further lucrative bouts, including a UK debut fight with Hamzah Sheeraz or Chris Eubank Jr.

Timothy Bradley has boldly claimed that even a performance-enhanced version of Canelo Alvarez would still fall short against Terence Crawford when the two pound-for-pound stars collide on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium.

Canelo and Crawford battle it out for all four versions of the super middleweight title, with Bradley firmly backing the underdog in the fight.

Bradley’s Bold Prediction for Canelo vs. Crawford
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, the Hall of Famer didn’t hold back when asked about Canelo’s chances against the undefeated three-division champion.

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“It doesn’t matter if Canelo is on that s*** (PEDS), he isn’t beating Terence Crawford,” said Bradley. “You heard it here first.”

Bradley, who’s never shied away from controversial takes, cast doubt on Canelo’s recent performances while giving complete confidence to Crawford’s continued dominance at 41-0.

“Look at the performances of Canelo. They have been alright, they haven’t been wow, they haven’t blown me away. So I’m not worried,” he continued. “The same will go with Crawford.”

Crawford’s SNAC Partnership and Doping Concerns
The conversation also veered into the topic of nutrition and supplementation, specifically regarding Crawford’s association with SNAC, the company founded by notorious BALCO figure Victor Conte.

A report earlier in the week raised eyebrows over the partnership, but Bradley dismissed concerns about doping.

“I know he is with SNAC and some news came out this week, but I personally believe that SNAC is clean,” said Bradley. “I think it’s a conflict of interest in the fact that [Conte] knows how to beat the system – quote unquote – but at the same time, I think SNAC has got products going around the world to all these athletes, and they are testing and they are not testing positive.”

“So I think they are safe, there is no doubt about it. So I am not worried about that. With that being said, I’m good.”

The Canelo vs Crawford clash happens under the guidance of Turki Alalshikh, TKO, and Dana White, with the super-fight holding legacy-defining repercussions for the winner.

Canelo Alvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight title against Terence Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s a fight of epic proportions with both their legacy’s on the line.

Crawford, 41-0-0 with 31 KOs, is looking to become the first male boxer to become the undisputed champion in three weight classes. However, he has a tough task at hand as he has to get the better of a pound-for-pound great in Canelo Alvarez. The Mexican is 63-2-2 with 39 KO wins.

Out of Alvarez’s 67 professional fights, a handful have been difficult. Back in 2014, Erislandy Lara gave Alvarez one of the hardest fights of his career, which the Mexican won via split decision. Lara used his movement well to get Canelo to hesitate, something William Scull tried to do in May, but he was heavily criticized for avoiding a ‘fight’.

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Erislandy Lara tells Terence Crawford how to beat Canelo Alvarez

Lara reckons Crawford has to use his legs well and move in and out of range. He added that how Crawford handles Canelo’s power could determine a lot. Speaking to FightHype, the 42-year-old WBA middleweight champion said:

“I see it as an interesting 50-50 fight. I feel that Canelo is very strong right now, and I want to see how Crawford handles the power, especially in the early rounds, and what’s going to happen.”

Lara added: “I remember fighting Canelo 14 years (11 years) ago. I remember, I used my legs real good. As long as Crawford uses his legs and doesn’t let Canelo hit him in the arms and beat him up on the arms, he has a very good chance of winning.”

Lara’s advice could be crucial for Crawford, as Canelo himself recently praised the Cuban-American very highly. Movement might actually be key for Crawford.

That said, judging by Crawford’s career, he is a fighter at heart. Hence, it’s unlikely ‘Bud’ would look to circle around the ring the entire time and at certain point, he might look to engage with Canelo.

How he handles what’s being dished out could turn out to be decisive.

For the past two years, Terence Crawford had his sights set on one man: Canelo Alvarez.

At 37, and nearing the twilight of a remarkable career, the two-weight undisputed champion isn’t just chasing belts — he’s chasing legacy. And to him, nothing would define it better than defeating the biggest name in boxing. At first, the fight felt like a long shot. Canelo kept brushing it off, showing little interest. But then, one man changed everything — and turned the impossible into a reality.

GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikh signed Canelo for a four-fight deal, kicking off the contract with the William Scull fight. Now, Canelo is set to face Crawford on September 13th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, live on Netflix. Although the reported purse is $200 million — allocating $150 million for Canelo and $50 million for Crawford — ‘Bud’ told Ring Champs with Ak and Barak that he is only making $10 million from the fight. This revelation sparked speculation that Crawford might be stepping into the ring with Canelo primarily for the paycheck. But is that really the case?

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Boxing insider Rick Glaser doesn’t seem to think so, as he revealed the real motive behind Crawford’s decision to climb several weight classes to fight Canelo. “I know it’s hard for some of you to fathom,” Glaser wrote on X. “But @TerenceCrawford is fighting Canelo for one reason, and one reason only, it’s about legacy.” He addressed the speculations about Crawford’s intentions to make big money before hanging up the gloves, noting, “Crawford wants to be everything a fighter is [supposed] to be in Boxing, and that is about legacy [through] challenging himself.”

Glaser concluded by writing, “Terence Crawford is going for all the gusto. While other fighters in this era talk big, [they] avoid the biggest challenges.” If he wins, Crawford will become the first three-weight undisputed champion of the four-belt era, having previously unified all the belts in the super lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Regardless, during his conversation with Ak and Barak, Crawford seemed to echo Glasser’s take on the fight, noting, “I’m doing it for the opportunity, baby, the legacy,” he said. “The legacy outweighs the money. Three-time undisputed, ooo-wee coming soon.”

Crawford’s intentions for the fight aside, can he realistically beat Canelo Alvarez, clearly the heavier man?

Erislandy Lara reveals how Terence Crawford can beat Canelo Alvarez

As ‘Bud’ Crawford prepares for the biggest fight of his career against ‘Cinnamon’ later this year, Canelo’s former opponent, Erislandy Lara, has offered key advice for Crawford that could tilt the fight in his favor. The Cuban boxer, who gave Canelo one of the toughest fights of his career in 2014, suggests that movement will be key in Crawford’s victory.

I used my legs really well,” Lara told Fight Hype. “As long as Crawford uses his legs and doesn’t let Canelo hit him in the arms and beat him up on the arms, he has a very good chance of winning.” Lara emphasized the importance of avoiding damage early in the game. “I want to see how Crawford handles the power, especially in the early rounds,” he added. “It’s an interesting 50-50 fight.”

Despite all the strategies and advice, only fight night will determine who truly gains the upper hand in the ring. When it comes to Crawford’s motivation, both he and Glasser point to legacy.

Keith Thurman has offered to take Canelo Alvarez’s place in fighting Terence Crawford, should he pull out.

Canelo is set to defend his undisputed super middleweight belts against undefeated ‘Bud’ in Las Vegas on September 13.

Crawford, the reigning WBA super-welterweight title holder, is moving up two weight classes in order to face the Mexican icon.

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With both men two of the finest boxers of their generation, fans could be in store for a fight of the century contender.

The event, part of Riyadh season and in partnership with Dana White and Sela, is one that most boxers are trying to be a part of.

That includes former two-time world welterweight champion, Keith Thurman, who revealed that he has contacted Crawford to say that he is available to step in should Canelo pull out.

Thurman returned to the ring in March, following a three-year hiatus to beat Brock Jarvis in the third round by way of knockout.

When speaking to MillCity Boxing, Thurman said: “He [doesn’t] really need to see me but I told Bud, I DM’d him actually recently.

“I said ‘Hey man, if Canelo pulls out, I’m here.

“If anything happens to Canelo, Bud, I’m here just let me know’.”

Crawford responded with a laugh, saying: “We good pimp, we good, we got this.'”

Turki Alalshikh recently announced his extensive plans for the undercard, with Thurman potentially having a chance of being a part of Canelo vs Crawford after all.

As two of the pound-for-pound greats are gearing up to fight, the main event is anticipated to be the most-viewed boxing event of all time.

It’s no surprise that the undercard of the fight is such an appealing prospect to boxers, especially with it being the potential final fight for Crawford.

If September 13 is the final fight of Crawford’s illustrious career, he’ll certainly be hoping to face Canelo as planned.

‘Bud’ currently boasts a perfect professional record of 41-0, with 19 consecutive world-title bouts.

Assuming he doesn’t retire, a win against Canelo could see Crawford going down the path to becoming the first male three-weight undisputed champion.

Canelo’s professional record currently stands at 63-2-2.

The 35-year-old’s opponent has been fighting for 20 years, with 27 of the Mexican’s bouts being world-title fights.

Both men are accomplished four-division champions, but only one will emerge the winner of this bout.

When two of boxing’s fiercest pound‑for‑pound talents finally lace up for a megafight, the intrigue doesn’t stop at the ring ropes.

In the lead‑up to the highly anticipated September clash at Allegiant Stadium – a veritable “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” showdown – the World Boxing Organization has quietly made a decision that shifts the narrative even further.

Canelo Alvarez: the Mexican superstar, widely recognized for his dominance across four weight classes, recently reclaimed undisputed super middleweight gold by defeating William Scull on May 3 – he now holds the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles at 168 lbs. On the opposite side stands the American southpaw phenom, unbeaten at 41–0 with 31 KOs, who already etched his name in history as a four‑division undisputed champ. He’ll be moving up two weight classes for this high‑stakes event.

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But here’s the twist: in recent days, Crawford has officially vacated his WBO Interim Junior‑Middleweight (154 lbs) title, a move confirmed not just by social media buzz, but by the WBO itself. BoxingScene headlined it plainly: “Terence Crawford has been installed as the WBO’s number‑one contender at super middleweight after vacating their lightly regarded interim junior‑middleweight title.” Meanwhile, the WBO President Gustavo Oliveri reportedly stated that Crawford “will not return to the super welterweight division and will vacate his interim belt” now that the fight with Canelo is official.

Jumping into the ring at 168 lbs, Crawford isn’t just shaking up the bracket – he’s claiming the top spot. According to WBO communications via Facebook, he’s been formally recognized as their No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger at super middleweight. TalkSPORT echoes this, noting that Crawford “will relinquish his WBO ‘interim’ super welterweight title when the fight with Canelo … is officially declared, though Crawford remains the reigning WBA super welterweight champion.”

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford trade respect before the storm

For a man long used to commanding the spotlight, the Mexican maestro seemed almost casual as he sized up the enormity of what’s ahead—a showdown that could rewrite legacies. Yet, in a surprising twist during his conversation with Ring Magazine, the four‑division champion gave a nod not just to himself but to those who share his lofty perch in the sport. When pressed to name his top pound‑for‑pound trio, the red‑haired titan quipped, “Beside me, ok. I think… Usyk, Inoue and Crawford.” That acknowledgment, delivered with a knowing pause, served not only as a rare public compliment but also as a subtle reminder: he views the undefeated Nebraskan as more than just another challenger.

If that moment had fans murmuring, the press tour stops dialed the intrigue up further. Speaking to a packed crowd in Las Vegas, the 35‑year‑old made sure to double down on his admiration, telling the assembled press, “Crawford is one of the best fighters in the last decade, and I’m glad to be here… These big fights don’t need to talk [expletive] about each other. That’s what I think.” He didn’t stop there, painting a picture of perpetual preparation: “He’s a good fighter. He have everything. He’s a complete fighter. He have a large experience. He’s a great fighter. I never underestimate my opponents. I always train like I’m gonna fight Mike Tyson in his era.” For a man famed for his poker‑faced bravado, this kind of candor underscored how seriously he’s taking his next dance partner.

Across the promotional circuit, however, the unbeaten technician from Omaha wasn’t merely soaking up the flattery. Instead, he balanced reverence with ambition, admitting in Las Vegas, “I don’t even know the last time I’ve been this excited for a fight… September 13, it’s going to be a great night of boxing.” With his 41‑0 record on the line and his first foray into the 168‑pound cauldron looming, he leaned on a touch of faith to explain the timing, telling reporters, “Listen, this is the one… God don’t make no mistakes. It’s the reason why he waited all this time to put me on this stage with another all‑time great like Canelo. Two Hall of Famers going head to head in one of the biggest events in the last 20 years. I’m looking forward to it.” His respect for Alvarez is evident, but so is his hunger.

That hunger came unfiltered in New York, where tension briefly spilled into a shove during their face‑off, and the American made his mission clear. With a steely calm, he told Arab News, “I’m hunting him. That’s it. I’m hunting everything that he has got, and I am going to take it come Sept. 13th. I am very confident. This is my time.” Even while tipping his hat to Alvarez’s skills—“Everything impressed me about Canelo. I’m a big Canelo fan. This is business. Like I said in the last press conference, I’m coming to take everything you got”—Crawford left no doubt: mutual respect is the appetizer, but only one man leaves Allegiant Stadium on September 13 with the main course.

The table’s set, the stakes are at their peak, and history is on the brink of being forged in blood, sweat, and legacy. Two of the sport’s greatest are set to clash—and the world will be tuned in.

Terence Crawford is fast approaching what is undoubtedly the biggest fight of his professional career.

The 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska is set to face Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super-middleweight championship on Saturday September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It will be Crawford’s first appearance at 168lbs, having spent the majority of his career campaigning at welterweight where he won the undisputed championship when he defeated fellow countryman Errol Spence Jr back in 2023.

READ: Canelo Wants To Move Away From Super Middleweight Division To Face One Man After Terence Crawford

The American superstar did make the move up to light-middleweight last August however, dethroning former WBA world super-welterweight champion Israil Madrimov to become a four division world champion in the process.

‘Bud’ could write his name into the boxing history books once again should he be victorious over Canelo, as he bids to become the first male fighter to win an undisputed championship across three weight classes.

As he gears up for what could be a legacy defining night for himself, Crawford has spoken out and revealed on All The Smoke Fight that he could be tempted to move back down to 154lbs to become undisputed there.

“I’m [fighting Canelo] for the opportunity, baby. The legacy. The legacy outweighs the money. Three-time undisputed. Oo-wee. Coming soon … I might go back down to 54 and do it [become undisputed] again. I might go back down and do it again. You don’t know what I’m gonna do.”

Should he opt to make the move back down to super-welterweight after his showdown with Canelo, ‘Bud’ could set up a clash with either WBC champion Sebastian Fundora or IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. The WBO crown is currently vacant, although rising star Xander Zayas could capture the vacant title on July 26.

Terence Crawford’s latest training footage has raised concerns among fans who feel the added weight may be slowing him down ahead of his September 13 bout with Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford will jump two weight classes to challenge for the undisputed super middleweight title in what is only his second fight above 147. After beating Israil Madrimov at 154 pounds, Crawford now prepares to fight at 168 — a division where Canelo has reigned supreme, having become undisputed on two occasions. Crawford showed in the Madrimov fight that he could be hurt, with some even feeling Bud lost the fight. Similar power shots from Canelo could cause extensive damage.

Reports indicate Crawford has bulked up from 155 to 186 pounds during camp, with a focus on resistance training and eating more. While that may help with size and power, fans have noticed a drop in speed and sharpness in recent footage. The following clip shows Crawford in the gym, as the American has bulked up.

READ: Canelo Wants To Move Away From Super Middleweight Division To Face One Man After Terence Crawford

Reaction

Roy Jones Jr. has previously spoken about the weight issue. Jermell Charlo tried and failed to beat Canelo Alvarez in 2023, coming up short on the scorecards when he jumped up from 154 pounds. Charlo, unlike Crawford, had boxed mostly at 154. Jones Jr. gave his take ahead of the Canelo fight, saying he expects Alvarez to control the action. However, he believes Crawford has a real shot — but only if he dominates the center of the ring and forces the pace. Interestingly, Jones did not see weight being the issue.

“The weight won’t be the factor, the factor will be how Canelo chooses to make the fight. Canelo comes out and does what Canelo should do, Canelo wins the fight. If Canelo comes out and does what he shouldn’t do, Crawford wins the fight (Crawford must) control the center of the ring. If Crawford is allowed to control the center, he’ll win,” Jones said