In the universe of boxing, heated debates are always on the rise, and right now, the fervor centers on a prospective face-off between Terence “Bud” Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Boxing coach and esteemed ESPN analyst, Teddy Atlas, recently spoke out on why Crawford can beat Canelo, revealing the key skill that he believes gives Crawford, the three-division champion, an edge.
Alvarez, a four-division champ from Mexico, has garnered a reputation as one of modern boxing’s most dominant forces. His ring prowess combined with an incredible track record makes him a formidable opponent for anyone. However, in the case of a potential battle with Crawford, known for his surgical precision and unmatched ring intelligence, an upset might be on the horizon. Teddy Atlas offers his unique insight on the matter.
Atlas, known for his astute observations and strategic understanding, has a long history in the sport. As a coach, he’s famously guided the careers of champs like Michael Moorer and Timothy Bradley. As an analyst, his commentary cuts right to the heart of boxing’s strategic complexities. Now, in a break from the popular narrative, Atlas is making the case that Crawford can, indeed, compete with and potentially best Alvarez.
While discussing the potential bout on his popular podcast, the analyst highlighted one crucial skill of Crawford’s. “This kid can switch,” Atlas said. “He can fight just as well on the right side as he can on the left side.” This switch-hitting ability, as Atlas suggests, is a rare and valuable skill for a professional boxer to have.
Most fighters are traditionally either orthodox (right-handed) or southpaw (left-handed). But Crawford’s ability to switch between these two stances fluidly and effectively, a skill honed and evident across his 37-fight undefeated career, could be a considerable advantage against Alvarez. According to Atlas, this could disrupt Alvarez’s game plan and create openings that Crawford can exploit offensively while remaining defensively tight at the same time.
Atlas went on stating, “I believe Crawford can match Canelo stride-for-stride, power-for-power.” When a boxing tactician of Atlas’ caliber believes Crawford holds the trump card against one universally hailed as the face of boxing, it certainly adds intriguing layers to this hypothetical fight scenario.
Another crucial point Atlas emphasized is Crawford’s boxing IQ, noting his ability to read his opponent’s moves and react accordingly. The former coach declared, “He’s got a sixth sense—he’s a ring general. He knows when and where to do anything.” He highlighted the extensive range of Crawford’s senses, his uncanny instinct for timely escapes, and his tenacious nature in the ring.
Albeit Atlas’ points are purely hypothetical for now, as there’s no official word yet about a match between Crawford and Alvarez. However, it does bring fascinating insights into what could be, and opens up interesting debates amongst boxing fans worldwide.
For now, the potential of Crawford vs. Alvarez remains in the wings, waiting for the right time to steal the limelight. While there’s no disputing Canelo’s skills and his fearsome reputation in boxing circles, Atlas’s confident assertion that Crawford could win has aroused abundant curiosity on this potential dream match. It adds another exciting layer to an already tantalizing possibility: one of boxing’s most intriguing confrontations in recent memory.
So, whether you side with Teddy Atlas or not, one thing is for sure – a Crawford-Canelo showdown would be an electrifying spectacle, a thrilling display of exceptional skills, gamemanship, and strategic excellence. Until then, boxing fans can keep hoping for this fight to materialize soon.
