MaxBoxing continues its pre-fight coverage of the epic Alvarez/Crawford card coming up in less than 2 weeks.
On September 13, on what will undoubtedly be the biggest boxing event of 2025, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) will try to stave off the challenge of undefeated Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) a welterweight star looking to make a monumental jump in weight up to 168 pounds after his one assignment at 154 pounds.
Needless to say, a packed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Netflix handling the viewer platform, is an outstanding forum to get a chance to shine and develop your brand in front of a huge audience.
Two fighters looking to grab that spotlight are undefeated junior middleweights “King” Callum Walsh (14-0, 11 KOs) and Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-0, 15 KOs). Both come into the fight with perfect records and are willing to risk their “0” for a chance to prove they are fighters to keep an eye on. It’s also nice to see two fighters who don’t feel a loss defines their career and are willing to put their perfect resumes up to chase the best version of themselves.
Vargas certainly comes into the fight with a whole lotta boxing around him. His world champion father and trainer, Fernando Sr., was a huge star in his time, having faced Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Yori Boy Campas, Ike Quartey, Shane Mosley and Raul Marquez, among many others in his outstanding career. Jr’s two brothers are both undefeated fighters as well, with younger brother Emiliano being touted as a possible superstar in the sport.
Walsh is a Cork, Ireland boxer who is living and training in the sunny climes of Ventura, California, under the direction of legend Freddy Roach at his famous Hollywood fight factory, The Wildcard Boxing Club. He also has strong backing from UFC boss Dana White, who has been a big supporter of Walsh in his career.
Style-wise, like most fights, it will come down to who can take control and establish their game plan for the fight.
Walsh tends to come in hard and fast to overwhelm his opponents with aggression as he closes the gap and looks to get rough in close.
Both fighters have shown they have some pop with Walsh stopping 11 of 15 opponents, while Vargas has dispatched 15 0f 17.
I think Vargas will look to be trickier and box from his southpaw stance. Speed and movement from Vargas could see him creating difficulties for Walsh who would probably like to keep it a simple slug fest.
This has the makings of a good fight. Who can establish their game plan? Who can control the fight? We shall see.
Going into the fight, both boxers have exuded confidence in interviews.
“Fernando Vargas Jr., if you want this come get it kid”, said Walsh. “Dana (White) is promoting Canelo-Crawford, you keep calling my name, come get it”, he said.
“We might just steal the show”, said Vargas. “He’s never really been tested against the calibre of guy like me, a boxer puncher”, he continued. “We both have power but whatever type of fight he wants to fight, I just feel like I’m a better fighter than him. He doesn’t do well with adversity. We have a game plan. I just have to listen to my dad”, he said.
But, huge credit to both fighters for testing themselves in front of boxing’s biggest audience as they dare to be great.
Two boxers, before they have had world title shots, are putting their undefeated records on the line to behave like real fighters, just looking to take on the best challenge out there.
Hats off to them. Boxing could use more of this.