Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Tips
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford meet in a super fight for their boxing generation in front of a huge crowd at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium this Saturday.
Hundreds of millions will watch from around the world on Netflix as two of the greats from this era collide. Here we look at some of the best bets from a historic night.
Tip 1 – Canelo Alvarez to Win & Over 8.5 Rounds @ 27/25
A true throwback to a bygone era, Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) enters the ring for the 68th time as a professional on Saturday against a fellow modern great in Terence Crawford (41-0-0, 31 KOs).
The Mexican has moved through the divisions with devastating effect, picking up world titles in no less than four divisions.
Currently an undisputed champion at super-middleweight – holding the IBF, WBC, WBA & WBO titles since defeating Caleb Plant in 2021 – Canelo has defended against the likes of Gennady Golovkin and Jermell Charlo.
Crawford is also a four-division world champion, winning undisputed status at both super-lightweight and welterweight.
The American must defy weight classes to be successful here; moving up 14lbs from a career-heaviest super-welterweight bout last time out against Israil Madrimov.
That said, Crawford is the taller fighter with a four-inch reach advantage which, as an almost flawless switch hitter, will add to his potential for success in trying to create problems for Canelo, accompanied by his speed and high fight IQ.
Canelo has shown potential signs of slowing down, however there is definitely a case to argue opponents such as William Scull last time out do little for motivation, particularly when employing negative tactics.
This is the type of fight and challenger that Canelo lives for and he undoubtedly remains a bulldozer with his size and ring presence.
Canelo has shown his capability to box at a higher weight class, defeating Sergey Kovalev at light-heavyweight in 2019, before a loss to Dmitrii Bivol in 2022.
This fight could be close but, in his spiritual home of Las Vegas, Canelo has enough on his side to get the job done one more time on the biggest of stages.
Tip 2 – Either Fighter to Be Knocked Down @ 6/5
The stats will tell us that neither Canelo or Crawford has officially been knocked down in their career to date in 108 professional contests between them.
In a true testament to his chin, Canelo has moved through many weight divisions without hitting the canvas once, including in two fights at light heavyweight.
The now 35-year-old was held up by the ropes when facing Jose Cotto as a 19-year-old way back in 2010, with a right hand to the body knocking him off balance.
Crawford briefly took a knee when hit by a right hook from Egidijus Kavaliauskas in their 2019 encounter, however the referee ruled it a slip with the American going on to stop the Lithuanian in the ninth round.
Canelo has scored six knockdowns in his last eight fights and has 39 knockouts from his 63 wins.
However, his last win inside the distance came eight fights ago in 2021 when capturing undisputed super-middleweight gold when stopping Caleb Plant late on.
Crawford failed to knock down Madrimov in his super-welterweight debut last time out, however before that had scored nine knockdowns in his previous seven fights.
With 31 knockouts from his 41 wins, including 11 stoppage wins on the spin pre-Madrimov has shown that Crawford has the killer instinct when he gets his opponents hurt.
Both have fought on big stages before, but this is a historic night in front of a huge audience and it's likely that this clash of styles is likely to produce some magic as we hit the later rounds.
Tip 3 – Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr not to go the distance @ 26/25
This may be Dana White’s first foray into boxing promotion, however the UFC chief has been a part of light-middleweight prospect Callum Walsh’s (14-0-0, 11 KOs) team for some time.
The Irish fighter takes on Fernando Vargas (17-0-0, 15 KOs) in the co-main event with both putting undefeated records on the line.
Walsh has 11 knockouts from his 14 wins, while Vargas has got rid of 15 opponents early.
At 24 years old, Walsh has the skill and speed advantage, while southpaw Vargas brings power and a come-forward style.
Vargas follows in the footsteps of his father of the same name, a former IBF super-welterweight champion and hall of famer.
Like father like son, Vargas is a heavy-handed pressure fighter, which could well bring success in this contest.
Likewise for Walsh, he could well find joy in having an opponent stand in front of him.
In a prime slot in front of a massive stadium and television crowd, this is a fight that could well bring the heat and not make the final bell.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change