Eight years ago, before his title defense, Jeff Horn was a confident and cocky fighter. He had just won the WBO welterweight title and was preparing to defend it against his next opponent. When asked about his opponent’s skills, Horn dismissed them with ease.
“He has a devastating left hand; he can hurt you in the body or in the head. He’s able to switch-hit. But that’s all right; I have a few plans of my own,” he said with a smirk on his face.
The opponent he was referring to was none other than Terence Crawford, who at the time was not as well-known as he is today. Crawford was a rising star in the boxing world, but Horn didn’t seem to be too worried about facing him in the ring.
However, as we all know, things don’t always go as planned. When the two finally met in the ring, it was Crawford who emerged victorious, knocking out Horn in the ninth round. It was a devastating defeat for Horn, who had been so confident in his abilities just a few weeks prior.
But what is even more surprising is that one of Horn’s former opponents has predicted that Crawford will do the same thing to another boxing superstar – Canelo Alvarez.
In an interview with EssentiallySports, former WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez said, “I think Crawford will knock out Canelo. He’s a very smart fighter, he has great skills, and he’s very intelligent. I think he will surprise Canelo with his speed and his power.”
These are bold words coming from someone who has shared the ring with both Crawford and Canelo. Ramirez knows firsthand the skills and abilities of both fighters, and for him to make such a prediction, it speaks volumes about Crawford’s potential.
But why is Crawford being compared to Canelo in the first place? The Mexican superstar is currently the face of boxing, holding multiple titles in different weight classes and being one of the biggest draws in the sport. On the other hand, Crawford is still trying to make a name for himself on the world stage.
However, that could all change in the near future. Crawford is currently the WBO welterweight champion, and he has his sights set on becoming the undisputed champion in the division. He has already defeated some of the top names in the welterweight division, including Amir Khan, Kell Brook, and most recently, Shawn Porter.
Canelo, on the other hand, is currently the WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion. He has also held titles in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He is a dominant force in the sport, and many consider him to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
But despite Canelo’s impressive resume, Ramirez believes that Crawford has what it takes to defeat him. And he’s not the only one. Many boxing experts and fans have also started to see Crawford as a serious threat to Canelo’s dominance.
Crawford’s speed, power, and intelligence inside the ring are what make him such a dangerous opponent. He has the ability to adapt to any style and can switch between orthodox and southpaw effortlessly. He also has a high boxing IQ, which allows him to outthink his opponents and find openings to land his devastating punches.
But perhaps the most significant factor in Crawford’s success is his hunger and determination to be the best. He has always been confident in his abilities, but he never underestimates his opponents. He trains hard and always comes prepared for every fight, which is why he has an impressive record of 38 wins and no losses.
So, could Crawford really knock out Canelo? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure – if these two ever meet in the ring, it will be a fight for the ages. Both fighters are at the top of their game, and it would be a battle between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
In the end, it doesn’t matter who comes out on top. What matters is that we, as fans, get to witness such a highly anticipated and exciting matchup. And if Crawford does end up knocking out Canelo, it will only solidify his position as one of the greatest boxers of this generation.
So, let’s sit back and enjoy the ride as these two boxing superstars continue to dominate
