Shakur Stevenson Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Terence Crawford Can Hurt Canelo At 168

Terence Crawford is set to move up two weight classes to face Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez. Shakur Stevenson has given his take on how his power might carry up.

Crawford has been calling for the fight since his undisputed welterweight win over Errol Spence Jr in 2023, and made a step towards it by moving up to 154 pounds last year to defeat Israil Madrimov.

That win, however, was the first in ten fights for the American that came by way of decision, leading some in the sport to question whether his punches carried the same pop as they did divisions below. Facing Canelo – who has never been knocked down or stopped – at 168, is a different task entirely.

Speaking to The Ring Magazine, training partner and friend to Crawford Shakur Stevenson said he has witnessed pound-for-pound star ‘hurt heavyweights’, so Canelo should be careful.

“How does Canelo handle the power of Bud? It ain’t just the right [hand]. I get [he has a great chin] but when Bud hits him, is he just gonna walk forward and take the punches? I just don’t know. I done seen Bud hurt heavyweights.”

On the style match-up, Stevenson – a three-weight world champion himself – revealed that he has always felt his man has what it takes to beat the Mexican.

“I just feel as though with Canelo’s style – and this was before [Dmitry] Bivol did it – I thought Terence Crawford was the only guy who could be Canelo with his style.”

“Bud is a southpaw. I think that’s underestimated about the fight. It makes it harder for Canelo. I think Canelo has some type of trouble with southpaws.”

Before fans can get excited for the fight, Canelo first faces IBF Champion William Scull in May, a chance to become a two-time world champion at super-middleweight. The Crawford fight is then set for September in Las Vegas.