Elite trainer and prominent boxing figure Teddy Atlas has given his prediction for the Canelo vs Crawford super-fight next month.
Atlas is renowned as an elite boxing trainer who has coaches a whole host of world champions, so his opinion on fights is universally respected.
Teddy Atlas Gives Shock Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Prediction
When it comes to boxing, it’s fair to say that Teddy Atlas knows a thing or two.
The American trainer has been in the corner of several world champions, leading numerous fighters to world title victories in the ring.
As an amateur, Atlas trained with the great Cus D’Amato before assisting him in the corner when he was training the great Mike Tyson. However, that relationship ended abruptly for one reason or another.
Atlas’ most successful period as a coach was with Michael Moorer, who he guided to the world heavyweight title in 1994. He has also coached other world champions such as Timothy Bradley, Barry McGuigan and Alexander Povetkin.
Now, Atlas is a boxing commentator who regularly gives his thoughts on some of the biggest fights worldwide. This includes the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Terence Crawford super-fight on September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
‘Canelo’ is the pre-fight favourite with boxing betting sites to hand ‘Bud’ the first defeat of his professional career, but Crawford has plenty of backers too despite the weight disadvantage.
Crawford is jumping up two weight divisions from 154-pounds to super-middleweight (168-pounds). Add to this the fact that ‘Bud’ actually began his career as a lightweight, winning his first world title down at 135-pounds.
As a four-weight world champion from lightweight to super-welterweight, Crawford’s legacy is already assured. As it Canelo’s. But should the American defeat the Mexican superstar, he could well go down in history as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Teddy Atlas is one man who believes ‘Bud’ has what it takes to overcome the weight jump and actually defeat ‘Canelo’ on September 13. There is no denying that both fighters are elite, but the world champion boxing trainer feels that Crawford is a truly special talent.
Teddy Atlas: ‘I Think Crawford Is Really Special’
Should Terence Crawford’s next fight result in another victory, he would become a five-weight world champion, three weight undisputed champion and extend his record to 42-0 in the process.
If he does this, there is no denying that he will become the pound-for-pound star of the sport, ahead of the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue.
Teddy Atlas has made no secret of the fact he is favouring Crawford, despite him being the pre-fight underdog and naturally smaller man. Atlas believes that the 37-year-old’s skill will give him the edge over Alvarez:
“I liked Crawford before Canelo looked not so good in his last fight. You know, I just think Crawford is really special. I think Canelo is really good, but I think Crawford is special.
“I know he hasn’t fought that resume that everyone wants. But you have that ingredient, I think he has it,” the world champion boxing trainer concluded.
Labelled ‘Once In A Lifetime’, Canelo vs Crawford is arguably the biggest fight of the entire 21st century. Particularly if it lives up to the hype.
Although unclear on how he feels Crawford will secure the victory, Atlas is firmly in the camp of ‘Bud’. Whether he wins the fight on points or via knockout, the world champion trainer and boxing commentator is going big on a Crawford victory.
Canelo’s next fight is arguably the toughest of his career, despite Crawford being a natural super-lightweight/welterweight. This is a big ask for ‘Bud’ to jump up to super-middleweight and beat one of the greatest fighters of this era.
However, he is undefeated and one of the best finishers in all of boxing. If he can navigate the size difference, September 13 could be Terence Crawford’s night, which is exactly what Teddy Atlas is predicting.
