Shakur Stevenson is currently the number-one contender for the WBC and WBO lightweight world titles. The two-division world champion is looking to finish out his year by becoming a three-division world champion. Yet, Stevenson recently made headlines based upon his belief on how a fight between his training partner and friend, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez would go.
According to Stevenson, he believes Crawford can beat Canelo, going as far to suggest a 165 pounds catchweight bout. This comes on the heels of Crawford stating that a fight with Canelo won't happen on Hot 97.
“Honestly, I think Bud can beat Canelo,” Stevenson told iFL TV recently. “I would like to see it, just because I know, size [doesn't] wins fights, I think skills do."
Stevenson's confidence in Crawford's abilities comes from his assertion that Crawford's talent from his boxing skills, which he cited the footwork of Crawford could pose challenges for Canelo as Canelo can be very flat-footed.
“I don’t know who else would listen to me, but I think Bud, stylistically [has a good chance to win," furthered Stevenson. "...being a southpaw with good movement, sharp boxing, it would be hard for Canelo with that high guard to walk him down and load up with them big hooks how he (does), so I think Bud would beat Canelo.”
Crawford secured his place in the sport as an all-time great a little over a week ago when he stopped Errol Spence Jr to become the undisputed welterweight champion is a significant accomplishment and has elevated his status in the world of boxing, as well as the second time Crawford has done it. Crawford has become the first male fighter in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in two different divisions, as he was undisputed at junior welterweight and now welterweight.
Now comes the hard part - logic. Canelo has a fight scheduled against Jermell Charlo, a man who has also had words with Crawford in the past, even during Crawford's iconic performance against Errol Spence Jr. Canelo's next bout is scheduled for September 30th, on Showtime pay-per-view.
“Terrence Crawford is running things right now," furthered Stevenson in his IFL interview. "As for who he should face next, I would love to see him go up against [Jermell] Charlo. Although Charlo is already lined up against Canelo, I genuinely believe Crawford could beat Canelo.”
For Crawford, more than likely a rematch with Errol Spence Jr is likely to be on the horizon, as Spence has a rematch clause he can activate with the fight having to take place by the end of December 2023. Charlo took to Instagram to address potentially fighting Crawford in the future as he seemingly welcomed that bout.
What makes Crawford so great behind his high fighter IQ is his ability to fight in orthodox and southpaw seamlessly. His ability to time his opponents coming in as a generational talent, and that which will make him a deserving all-time great.
