Canelo Alvarez’s ex-rival gives Terence Crawford exact instructions on how to beat champion
Dmitry Bivol has explained what Terence Crawford can do to follow in his footsteps and beat Canelo Alvarez. Crawford faces a seismic task this year as he prepares to step up to 168lbs to face Alvarez in Las Vegas this September. Crawford and Canelo will meet in a career-defining tussle in September It will be an incredible battle between two pound-for-pound superstars, with Alvarez set to hold all of the belts at the weight if he beats William Scull on May 3. Alvarez is on a five-fight winning streak and remains one of the most formidable forces in boxing, since losing himself in his step-up to 175lbs. His opponent then Bivol, produced a boxing masterclass to tame Alvarez and score a brilliant victory in 2022. And the current undisputed light-heavyweight king believes Crawford’s mentality will be the key to victory. He said on The Ring podcast: “He needs to get used to the power and pressure of 168 because it’s [different], big difference to be honest. “Maybe he will get used to it. And how he will be feeling himself the same say he is fighting, how his training camp will go on. “But he is able, he has good skills, he is awkward, he can use two boxing stances. It gives him benefits, of course. “It’s not only about getting used to the power, it’s also about being mentally ready, because when people are not prepared mentally, they are afraid or scared, you become weak, your body become weak. “When something new happens and you weren’t ready for it – we all know this feeling – the body melts, it becomes soft. “Mentality is very important for this fight. Bivol comfortably beat Canelo as he outboxed him in fine styleEd Mulholland/Matchroom “At the same time we saw how Canelo was fighting against other guys like Charlo, maybe Callum Smith and we saw the huge difference. “I think it’s not because of weight class, it’s about mentality of the opponents.” Bivol became just the second person to beat Alvarez, after Floyd Mayweather who recorded an impressive win in 2013. Crawford will be on the opposite end of size advantages when he takes on the rugged Mexican however. ‘Bud’ has already won world titles in four weight classes, and an undisputed crown in a fifth could cement his status as an all-time great. He will be the underdog in a rare occurrence for his career. But Crawford faces a different task against CaneloMark Robinson/Matchroom But he believes he has attributes which will make him a tough proposition for his fellow great. “Man, we’re going to see come fight time what my advantage is,” he said. “I’m the type of guy who likes to feel my fighters out and adjust to what they’re doing. “I think that’s my greatest attribute, to be able to figure out every opponent I’ve faced thus far. “I’m looking to do the same come fight time when the Canelo fight happens… “People say, ‘You’re too small’ or ‘You’re outmatched’ or ‘You don’t belong in the ring with these types of fighters.’ “I’m going to feel great [at 168lbs]. I don’t need to worry about the weight. I know I’m going to feel great. “I’ve got a lot of things to prepare on. That’s part of boxing – [meeting] milestones you’ve got to hit.” Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
Dmitry Bivol has explained what Terence Crawford can do to follow in his footsteps and beat Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford faces a seismic task this year as he prepares to step up to 168lbs to face Alvarez in Las Vegas this September.
It will be an incredible battle between two pound-for-pound superstars, with Alvarez set to hold all of the belts at the weight if he beats William Scull on May 3.
Alvarez is on a five-fight winning streak and remains one of the most formidable forces in boxing, since losing himself in his step-up to 175lbs.
His opponent then Bivol, produced a boxing masterclass to tame Alvarez and score a brilliant victory in 2022.
And the current undisputed light-heavyweight king believes Crawford’s mentality will be the key to victory.
He said on The Ring podcast: “He needs to get used to the power and pressure of 168 because it’s [different], big difference to be honest.
“Maybe he will get used to it. And how he will be feeling himself the same say he is fighting, how his training camp will go on.
“But he is able, he has good skills, he is awkward, he can use two boxing stances. It gives him benefits, of course.
“It’s not only about getting used to the power, it’s also about being mentally ready, because when people are not prepared mentally, they are afraid or scared, you become weak, your body become weak.
“When something new happens and you weren’t ready for it – we all know this feeling – the body melts, it becomes soft.
“Mentality is very important for this fight.
“At the same time we saw how Canelo was fighting against other guys like Charlo, maybe Callum Smith and we saw the huge difference.
“I think it’s not because of weight class, it’s about mentality of the opponents.”
Bivol became just the second person to beat Alvarez, after Floyd Mayweather who recorded an impressive win in 2013.
Crawford will be on the opposite end of size advantages when he takes on the rugged Mexican however.
‘Bud’ has already won world titles in four weight classes, and an undisputed crown in a fifth could cement his status as an all-time great.
He will be the underdog in a rare occurrence for his career.
But he believes he has attributes which will make him a tough proposition for his fellow great.
“Man, we’re going to see come fight time what my advantage is,” he said.
“I’m the type of guy who likes to feel my fighters out and adjust to what they’re doing.
“I think that’s my greatest attribute, to be able to figure out every opponent I’ve faced thus far.
“I’m looking to do the same come fight time when the Canelo fight happens…
“People say, ‘You’re too small’ or ‘You’re outmatched’ or ‘You don’t belong in the ring with these types of fighters.’
“I’m going to feel great [at 168lbs]. I don’t need to worry about the weight. I know I’m going to feel great.
“I’ve got a lot of things to prepare on. That’s part of boxing – [meeting] milestones you’ve got to hit.”
