Mike Tyson believes size will play a massive factor in who emerges victorious between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
The pound-for-pound titans are set to square off on September 13 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium in the biggest American boxing bout of the year.
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Tyson is backing Canelo to beat Crawford
Crawford is set to move up two divisions to challenge Canelo for his undisputed super middleweight crown without the aid of a rehydration clause.
Canelo, a natural 168lber, has boxed as high as light heavyweight (175lbs), while Crawford made his super welterweight debut (154lbs) last year after stints at lightweight (135lbs), super lightweight (140lbs) and welterweight (147lbs).
Due to the considerable weight disparity between the pair, Tyson struggles to see Crawford getting his hand raised, even if he remains hopeful that the Omaha puncher does.
“It’s tricky, I want Crawford to win, but it doesn’t look like it is going to happen,” ‘Iron Mike’ told The Big Podcast.
“I would like for that to happen, but this guy [Canelo] is a hard puncher; he is a smart fighter.
“I am just curious, I just wanna see it. I wanna be there to see it.
“Because listen, there’s been upsets like that before.
“Henry Armstrong at 124 lbs, he beat the 146 lbs champ [Barney Ross].
“So, you know, you never know. Anything can happen when two men are in the ring.”
Henry Armstrong’s win over Barney Ross is perhaps the most impressive example of a fighter jumping up several divisions to spring an upset, but it isn’t the only one.
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Crawford is set to move up two weight classes without the aid of rehydration clauseCredit: Getty
After retaining his undisputed light heavyweight crown against Clinton Woods, Roy Jones Jr made the brave decision to move up two weight classes to box John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight crown in 2003.
The Olympic silver medallist tipped the scales at 193lbs, conceding 33lbs to his hulking foe, but the gamble paid off.
Jones Jr outboxed Ruiz over 12 rounds to get his hand raised via unanimous decision to become a title holder in boxing’s glamour division.
The same feat was achieved 18 years prior when undisputed light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks dethroned long-reigning IBF and lineal heavyweight king Larry Holmes.
It marked Holmes’ first defeat as a professional after a legendary seven-year reign as world champion.
To make the achievement all the more impressive, Spinks piled on 25lbs of mass in just two months.
Crawford, on the other hand, has been adjusting to his new weight for over half a year.