Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Oleksandr Usyk and boxing’s biggest names cast Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford predictions

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford’s upcoming super fight has divided the boxing world.

The pound-for-pound superstars are set to square off on Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium in what is expected to be the biggest American fight of the year.

Crawford is moving up two weight classes to challenge Canelo for his undisputed super middleweight crown.

Canelo, a natural 168lber, has boxed as high as light heavyweight (175lbs), while Crawford made his super welterweight debut (154lbs) last August with a win over Israil Madrimov for the WBA belt after unifying the super lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Despite this, ‘Bud’ has bravely taken the fight without the aid of a rehydration clause.

Due to the size disparity between the pair, Crawford opens up as a slight underdog.

However, there are plenty of preeminent voices who are picking the 37-year-old to get his hand raised.

Here, talkSPORT.com looks at a few of the most notable predictions made by the sport’s biggest names.

Who is backing Terence Crawford?

Oleksandr Usyk (Undisputed heavyweight champion)

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“I say Terence wins. Terence works both sides. He’s a very smart boxer, a smart man,” said Usyk.

“Canelo is big, strong and a good boxer, but I say Terence”. 

Shakur Stevenson (WBC lightweight champion)

“Skills pay the bills. I think he (Crawford) isn’t as small as people think. I think Bud beats Canelo,” said Stevenson.

Amir Khan (Former super lightweight world champion)

“I’m the only guy to share the ring with both guys, and I’ve always said they’re both great at what they do,” Khan told Sky Sports.

“When I fought Canelo, he was easier to hit. He had slow feet but fast hands, which I never expected. But he did have a lot of power, so that is what Crawford needs to be wary of.

“But then again, I saw a picture of Crawford where he was weighing around 180lbs. He looked strong and big. It looks like he holds the weight well.

“I do lean more towards Crawford in this fight, because he’s the fresher fighter.”

Shawn Porter (Former welterweight world champion)

“I think it’s perfect timing for both of these guys. I think this is a fight that both guys have the ability to win,” Porter told Ring Magazine.

I think that Canelo has been in enough wars and Terence hasn’t, so I think health is on his side.

“I think the ability to be able to be 100 per cent on fight night is on Terence’s side, I think Canelo’s going to come to the ring at 90 per cent, that’s where he’s at now and if he’s strong enough and he’s mentally prepared to do what it takes to break down Terence, you gotta break down Terence mentally, you don’t break him down physically you break him down mentally.

“It’s known so it’s a tall feat for both of these guys, and I think it’s realistically a 50-50 fight, and I do think that Terence will pull it off.”

Who is backing Canelo Alvarez?

Mike Tyson (Former undisputed heavyweight champion)

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“It’s tricky, I want Crawford to win, but it doesn’t look like it is going to happen,” Tyson told The Big Podcast.

“I would like for that to happen, but this guy [Canelo] is a hard puncher; he is a smart fighter.

“I am just curious, I just wanna see it. I wanna be there to see it.

“Because listen, there’s been upsets like that before.

“Henry Armstrong at 124 lbs, he beat the 146 lbs champ [Barney Ross].

“So, you know, you never know. Anything can happen when two men are in the ring.”

Manny Pacquiao (Former eight-weight world champion)

“Good fight, Canelo has the advantage because Crawford is moving up,” said Pacquiao.

Eddie Hearn (Promoter)

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“Crawford convinces me that he is going to win this fight because he is such a believer in his own ability, and then you see the presser yesterday, and I thought Canelo looked really well,” Hearn told Seconds Out.

“I was always with Canelo, then I leaned toward Bud, now I am back picking Canelo, so we will see.”

Teofimo Lopez (WBO super lightweight champion)

“Canelo is too big, too strong and too experienced at bigger weights. What round does Crawford get knocked out? I say 8,” said Lopez.