Crawford and the golden footsteps of Sugar Ray

Article first appeared at BigFightWeekend.com

Pitching fighters of the moment versus icons of the past was once the lifeblood of boxing debate. A cynical observer, viewing the inertia which strangles careers and divisions in the present day, could suggest the stars of the modern era should fight their own contemporaries before fans contemplate their prospects versus the heroes of yesteryear.

Terence Crawford moving up from Welterweight to box Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at 168 pounds is a refreshing example of a fighter daring to take a risk to pursue greatness. A sentiment not ignorant of the irrefutable truth that both men would be considered antiquities in any other era.

Nevertheless, Canelo versus Crawford is a fight which draws to mind the golden era of the Welterweight and Middleweight fights between the Four Kings, Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns.

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September 11, 2025 0

Canelo to eek out the win?

Article first appeared at AndysBetClub

On Saturday night at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, 63-2-2, will box Terence Crawford, 41-0, in a contest rich in both potential and purse. Netflix will broadcast the whole event.

Bookmakers are offering markets on the matchup between these two future Hall of Famers and unsurprisingly, given the quality of the pairing, margins and certainty are hard to find. Study of the under card will offer opportunity to improve returns.

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September 10, 2025 0

Can Crawford succeed where De La Hoya failed?

Terence Crawford seeking to succeed where Oscar failed against Bernard Hopkins

Article first appeared at BigFightWeekend.com

This Saturday in Las Vegas, alas no longer the singular mecca of boxing that once it was, Terence Crawford reaches the final scenes of his decorated career on the grandest stage of all. A 17-year voyage in which he has become undisputed champion in the Lightweight, Junior Welterweight and Welterweight divisions. It is a compelling assembly of titles in an era more famous for the obstacles the sanctioning bodies impose on those pursuant of transcendent glory than the fights won to overcome them.

Despite the myriad belts he has accumulated, Crawford still needs to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez if he is to claim a place alongside the pantheon of greats who have conquered multiple divisions in the generations before him. The names of Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran writ large among them.

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September 9, 2025 0

Andrade and the quest for respect

Article first appeared on gambling.com

Demetrius Andrade, the 35-year-old from Rhode Island with an unblemished 32 (19ko) – 0 record and an unrequited longing for fulfilment, has finally secured the marquee match missing from his 15-year career.

He will box the giant American Super-Middleweight David Benevidez, 27 (23ko) – 0, at the Michelob Arena, Las Vegas on Saturday night. A fight broadcast by Showtime. This will be the organisation’s final night in the boxing business and all the leading betting companies carry markets for this elite match up between two unbeaten fighters.

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November 25, 2023 0

Canelo to confirm his dominance

The fight between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Caleb Plant for the undisputed Super-Middleweight title occurs this weekend, and while the IBF belt the unbeaten American will bring to the party completes the modern day quartet for the victor, in truth, Plant is, in auld money at least, merely a distinguished contender for a crown Canelo earned beating Callum Smith 11 months ago.

True, the IBF were the first to inaugurate a championship at the 168 pound limit, Scot Murray Sutherland becoming champion in 1984, but Plant’s belt, despite the history, is no more validatory than the WBO strap Canelo took from Billy Joe Saunders earlier this year. They add to the aesthetic of his dominance but it was proven some time ago.

None of which should detract from the positivity in play in a bout between the two. Foremost because Canelo will be fighting for the fourth time in less than a year and in doing so cementing his status as the number one fighter in the world and Chairman of the ‘What have you done for me lately?’ club. Plant is also undisputed as the best available contender in the division.

But can he win?

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