Just months out from their massive showdown, Terence Crawford has been backed to bring a stern test to Canelo Alvarez in their blockbuster.
Making a move to super middleweight in September, unbeaten megastar Crawford will challenge Mexican icon, Canelo for the undisputed crown.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix
And with much made of Crawford’s size coming up a weight division compared to former light heavyweight champion, Canelo — the Omaha native has nevertheless been offered some encouragement.
Bernard Hopkins claims Terence Crawford has a big chance to defeat Canelo Alvarez
But one name backing Crawford to potentially upset the apple cart in his title charge is veteran icon Bernard Hopkins.
Moving up from welterweight in pursuit of his long-mooted pairing with Canelo, Crawford has been praised for making such a climb by ‘The Executioner’.
“He (Terence Crawford) has a chance [to beat Canelo Alvarez] — he has a great chance,” Hopkins told Boxing News. “Because of his heart, his talent, and also his game plan. And his strategy.
“But Canelo is no pushover. …Again, the best is fighting the best. Crawford is daring to be great. And this is one of the ways that you do it.
“You tell the world; watch, pay attention and watch me make history.”
But despite Philly favorite Hopkins’ confidence in Crawford, the Nebraska pugilist has openly not been as optimistic.
Terence Crawford plays down confidence in toppling Canelo Alvarez
Moving up three weight divisions in search of a third championship win, Crawford remained candid of his chances of defeating the Jalisco icon.
Confident nonetheless, Crawford admitted, however, he was not hinging all his hopes on simply upsetting Canelo — leaving room for the possibility of some adversity.
“We never 100%, I’mma say 70%. I’m always high on confidence,” Crawford told The Ring. “if you don’t have confidence in yourself, then why should anybody else believe in you?”
Riding a 41-fight unbeaten run into his fight with Canelo, Crawford is well primed after his light middleweight title success opposite Israil Madrimov as recent as last August.