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A little over a month away, the boxing world is gearing up for one of the most anticipated matchups of the decade: undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez against boxing phenomenon Terence Crawford.
The fight, scheduled for September 13 at Nevada's Allegiant Stadium, not only promises to be an historic event, but also marks the return of UFC president Dana White to boxing as lead promoter. This collaboration has sparked a debate of predictions spanning both worlds, with divided opinions and high expectations.
Crossed opinions
Former champion Amir Khan, the only boxer to have faced both, has offered a unique perspective. Khan warns of the risks Crawford takes in jumping two divisions, remembering that "weight classes exist for a reason in boxing". However, he also leaves open the possibility of an upset. While he questions whether Canelo's power at 168 pounds will be too much, the British boxer also speculates that Crawford may be seeing something that others are not.
From the world of MMA, Khabib Nurmagomedov's longtime coach Javier Mendez has been emphatic in his prediction. In a recent interview, Mexican-born Mendez admitted his bias. "Of course I'm being biased. He's Mexican. I'm Mexican... I like Canelo. I like Canelo anyway," he said. Although he acknowledged that Crawford is a "tough guy" and probably one of the best he has seen.
The figure of Dana White
Dana White, who is acting as promoter for the event, is dealing with the scale of the fight. Despite admitting that he "hates stadiums", he promised to offer an "incredible experience inside Allegiant Stadium", adding an extra layer of spectacle to the eagerly awaited clash.
White's presence has been somewhat questioned, but everything is done to seek to give a better show. For better or worse, the boxing world will have all eyes on this upcoming fight.