Mike Tyson analyzed Canelo vs. Crawford: he wants the American to win, but acknowledges that the Mexican is the clear favorite in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas showdown draws ever closer

Excitement continues to build for the showdown between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence Crawford as September 13 approaches, the date on which the two will face off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Considered by many to be one of the most important fights in recent boxing history, the matchup has generated mixed opinions among analysts, fans, and former boxers.

One of the latest to weigh in was none other than Mike Tyson, an absolute boxing legend, who shared his views on The Big Podcast With Shaq. Although he confessed that he would like to see Crawford take the victory, he also acknowledged that the natural favorite is the Mexican.

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

Canelo, the 168-pound giant

At 35, Canelo arrives as the undisputed super middleweight (168 lbs) champion, a category in which he has established himself since 2021 after unifying the world titles. During this period, he has defeated elite rivals such as Gennady Golovkin, Caleb Plant, and Jermell Charlo, establishing himself as one of the biggest stars in global boxing.

His recent record also supports Tyson's warning: boxers who have tried to move up in weight to challenge him have ended up defeated. In 2016, Britain's Amir Khan—coming from welterweight—was knocked out in the sixth round, while in 2023, Jermell Charlo failed to decipher the Mexican's strategy and fell clearly on the scorecards.

Crawford's historic challenge

For his part, Terence Crawford arrives on the back of his 2023 victory over Errol Spence Jr., which established him as the undisputed welterweight champion. The American from Omaha has already made history by becoming a unified champion in two divisions and is now seeking to achieve an unprecedented record: to be the first male boxer to win the undisputed crown in three different categories.
The challenge, however, is not only physical but also historic: very few fighters have managed to beat Canelo in the last decade, and even fewer when it comes to moving up a division.

Tyson's opinion

Mike Tyson's words sum up the paradox surrounding this fight: admiration for Crawford and his technical style, versus the power, experience, and proven endurance of Álvarez. For “Iron Mike,” the desire to see the American succeed clashes with the reality of what it means to face the Mexican fighter at his natural weight.
With the spotlight on Las Vegas, the fight promises not only spectacle, but also an important sporting event.