As the highly anticipated $200 million showdown between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford approaches on September 13 in Las Vegas, expectations are sky-high. But what might truly intimidate Crawford before this clash? A revelation from an undefeated champion could be the key to understanding the Mexican star’s toughness.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Canelo’s Impenetrable Chin

Vergil Ortiz Jr., the undefeated interim WBC super welterweight champion, is one of the few fighters who has had the chance to spar with Canelo Álvarez. During a 2021 training period, Ortiz trained under Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s trusted coach, in San Diego. Although the partnership wasn’t permanent, Ortiz got to spar with the Mexican and didn’t hesitate to share his experience in an interview with Ring Champs with Ak & Barak.

Ortiz admitted, “He hits hard, but he definitely held back.” However, what stuck with Ortiz the most was a moment when he landed a powerful hook on Canelo’s head. “I made him drop his hand thinking I was going to do something else, and I hit him as hard as I could, but his head barely moved. He said ‘That was good!’ but it didn’t do anything.” Coming from a fighter who had a perfect knockout record at the time, this shows the kind of “iron chin” Álvarez possesses.

Mike Tyson’s Warning to Terence Crawford

It’s not just Canelo’s close rivals who recognize his danger. Before the fight was officially confirmed, heavyweight legend Mike Tyson warned Crawford. Tyson expressed concerns about Crawford moving up two weight classes to face the Mexican. “He can do what he wants, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tyson told ES News. The size and power difference worries many experts, though some, like coach Teddy Atlas, believe Crawford could pull off an upset.

Despite the warnings and Canelo’s toughness, Terence Crawford remains confident in his agility and switch-hitting ability, which could give him an edge in the fight. However, the power and durability the Mexican has shown will be a huge challenge.

With the fight drawing near, the question remains: can Crawford overcome Canelo Álvarez’s legendary “iron chin” and experience, or will the Mexican reaffirm his dominance in the ring? Only on September 13 will we know the answer.