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Canelo Will Feel Crawford’s Punches Like Bud Feels Bogeman Canelo/Instagram doseofgenius
Saul Canelo Alvarez will feel Terence Crawford’s punch the same way Bud — Terence Crawford’s nickname — felt Canelo’s punch, according to Shakur Stevenson. Shakur Stevenson said this after experiencing firsthand how hard Terence Crawford’s punches were during a practice match session which taught Stevenson a valuable lesson at the start of his career.
This two-division champion also saw Terence Crawford injure a heavyweight boxer in a sparring session. These experiences make Stevenson believe that many people are underestimating Crawford’s chances if he manages to win over Canelo Alvarez.
Terence Crawford must move up three weight classes, with a total weight of 21 kilograms, to face the biggest fight of his career. The boxer from Omaha, Nebraska has never boxed above the 66.6 kilogram welterweight limit in his 15 years as a professional boxer, but Stevenson does not consider Crawford’s weight gain an insurmountable problem.
Stevenson acknowledged in a recent interview with a group of reporters and videographers that Canelo’s strength is a factor to consider. Even so, he remains confident that Alvarez will not be able to overcome Crawford’s punches.
“Canelo will feel his punches just like Bud felt Canelo’s punches,” said Stevenson before open training at promoter Top Rank’s gym.
Stevenson realized how hard Crawford punches when he watched the three-division champion spar with an unknown heavyweight in early 2019.
“Strong shoots,” Stevenson said. “Like I said, I’m going to tell you guys this story. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I was in the gym. I want to say that I was getting ready for Chris Diaz or something, and he was sparring like a heavyweight fighter. I looked. I was nervous for him. I was like, ‘Why is he in the ring with this big, old guy?
“And man, I swear he caught this guy on the chin. Boom! The guy was swaying around the ring. I was like, ‘What the hell? How can this guy be this strong? But, honestly, Bud is really strong. A lot of people don’t realize how strong a fighter he is and his punching power can carry him through different divisions.”
Canelo is clearly a more proven hitter against heavier opponents. The Mexican icon has won a light heavyweight title fight via knockout over Russian Sergey Kovalev, and has won four super middleweight championship fights.