Canelo Alvarez has a Hall of Fame career in his rear-view mirror at just 35 years old.
The only undisputed super middleweight champion in boxing history will defend his belts against Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
‘Bud’ may be the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, but he’s jumping up two weight classes to fight Canelo Alvarez, who has done his best work at 168lbs.
An upset seemed unlikely until the Mexican legend put on a dreadful performance last time out.
Canelo Alvarez’s unwanted boxing record
Canelo Alvarez hasn’t scored a knockout in four years ahead of his super fight with Terence Crawford.
Despite that, the four-division champion has been able to keep fans engaged with exciting fights.
Everything changed in May when he put his undisputed status on the line against William Scull.
Canelo won a unanimous decision courtesy of 115-113, 116-112, and 119-109 scorecards from the judges.
However, the fight was trashed by fans due to the historically significant lack of action over 12 rounds.
A total of just 445 punches were thrown over the 36-minute distance to set an undesired boxing record for the fewest punches thrown in a 12-round fight.
Canelo attempted 152 punches, and Scull threw 293 punches to displace Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder, who attempted 459 shots when they fought in 2023.
Canelo connected with 56 of his punches (36.8%), while Scull found a home for 55 of his (18.8%).
Shot shyness is usually seen in aging fighters who are way past their prime and ready to retire.
It may have just been a bad night at the office, but some fans are convinced Canelo could be washed up.
Terence Crawford will get the chance to test that theory when they fight in a few days’ time.
Mike Tyson predicts Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford
Mike Tyson recently revealed who he wants to win when Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford clash.
The heavyweight expects he’ll be disappointed with the outcome of the biggest fight of 2025.
“I want Crawford to win, but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen,” Tyson told The Big Podcast.
“I would like for that to happen, but (Canelo) is a hard puncher, he’s a smart fighter, he can move.
“I’m just curious. I just wanna see it. I want to be there and see it. Listen, there’s been upsets like that before, Henry Armstrong at 124lbs, he beat the 146lb champion, so you know, you never know.
“Anything can happen when two men are in the ring or on a basketball court, anything can happen.”