The Southpaw Challenge

The countdown to the highly anticipated September 13 bout at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas has put the spotlight on the unique style of Terence Crawford. The American, undefeated with 41 wins and 31 knockouts, has dubbed himself the “best switch-hitter in history” and promises to be a complex challenge for Canelo Álvarez.

The Mexican did not shy away from that difficulty in the Netflix special documenting his preparation: “Everyone has problems with that kind of style. But I’m working on it. I have the experience to face every style now. This is a challenge for me, and I like to challenge myself.”

Special Preparation

To get ready, Álvarez has turned to sparring sessions with top-level opponents, including former unified welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis and unbeaten Cuban knockout artist Yoenli Hernández, a rising star at middleweight. “Sparring is very important to be ready for a fight. I actually enjoy sparring every day, though Eddy Reynoso doesn’t always let me,” admitted the undisputed super middleweight champion.

The challenge is considerable: although Canelo is undefeated against the seven southpaws he has faced in his last 56 professional fights, he has only met two in the last decade. The most recent was in 2023, when he convincingly defeated John Ryder in Mexico.

Confidence in His Legacy

Despite the difficulty, Álvarez is confident that his experience and versatility will keep him as the favorite. “My style doesn’t change. I can box, I can go forward, I can counterpunch. I can do whatever I want. I believe this fight will be one of the greatest in boxing history. Everything is on the line: our legacies,” said the Mexican star.

Álvarez also acknowledged that he carries greater pressure: “I have everything to lose because he’s moving up two weight classes. But I’m going to win. I’m a winner. I can feel it.”