Terence Crawford has revealed to fans the primary motivation behind his impending bout with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
The fight is expected to take place in September of this year and he is having to move up two weight classes so that he can take on the Mexican, something he is prepared to do for very big-picture reasons.
“That’s what great fighters are all about – testing yourself against all the odds,” Crawford told BoxingScene on Friday. He had been attending his gym mate Steven Nelson’s main-event weigh-in for Saturday night’s bout against Alvarez’s WBO No. 1-ranked contender, Diego Pacheco.
Crawford managed to move up from undisputed welterweight champions when he comfortably beat Errol Spence Jr in 2023, and now he is pursuing Alvarez who is one of the biggest and most celebrated names in the sport right now.
“People say, ‘You’re too small’ or ‘You’re outmatched’ or ‘You don’t belong in the ring with these types of fighters.’ That’s when great fighters perform their best,” Crawford said.
“I’m going to feel great [at 168]. I don’t need to worry about the weight. I know I’m going to feel great. I’ve got a lot of things to prepare on. That’s part of boxing – [meeting] milestones you’ve got to hit. We’re going to be well prepared when that time comes.”
Crawford backs himself
Crawford was asked to explain to fans what his advantages are over Alvarez ahead of the fight.
“Man, we’re going to see come fight time what my advantage is,” Crawford said. “I’m the type of guy who likes to feel my fighters out and adjust to what they’re doing.
“I think that’s my greatest attribute, to be able to figure out every opponent I’ve faced thus far. I’m looking to do the same come fight time when the Canelo fight happens.”