Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has a secret sparring weapon which could be a ‘concern’ for Terence Crawford ahead of their September 13th clash, claims a former welterweight champion.
The wait is almost over for the undisputed super middleweight mega-fight that fans have been anticipating between the Mexican legend and ‘Bud’ Crawford.
It has been a fight that has been the main subject of conversation in the boxing world since it was announced, as ex-opponents have given their breakdowns and one-word warnings.
Opinion is split on what exactly will transpire on the night, as some believe Crawford may ‘bully’ Alvarez or that fans may be treated to a contest with less action, according to one trainer who can see a ‘Tom and Jerry’ style fight.
Omaha’s own has yet to taste defeat as a professional and has been undisputed in two different weight classes in his career.
Canelo Alvarez reveals secret sparring weapon which should ‘concern’ Terence Crawford, claims former world champion
But Canelo, although he is the younger man by two years, has more experience on his side with 67 fights to his name and titles across four divisions.
While not many rumours have come out of either camp, we now know Alvarez has a secret weapon in sparring in the form of former unified welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
The future pound-for-pound star has been employed to emulate the 35-year-old’s decorated and tricky American foe with just under three weeks left of preparation.
This move has a former Crawford opponent and world welterweight champion, Shawn Porter, worried for the chances of the challenger.
On The PorterWay podcast, the ex-fighter said: “I personally think that this move right here got me a little concerned about my boy because this dude right here is the goods. Has the ability to do a lot of what Canelo’s going to see on fight night.
“And all he needs is a couple of reps of seeing it. A couple of reps of seeing it. And you know, there’s not it’s not often you can find someone who can duplicate the guy that you get in the ring with.”
Ennis is 34-0 with 30 knockouts and has held both IBF and WBA titles in the 147 lb division, with the 28-year-old touted as one of American boxing’s next big stars.
His guest, Brian Mendoza, a former two-division interim champion, fully agreed with Porter and believes this decision shows the modern great is not ‘phoning it in’.
Terence Crawford’s response to Canelo Alvarez sparring with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
A fight between Ennis and Crawford had always been talked about, but never materialised, much to the dismay of ‘Boots’.
But even with him being the sparring partner for the Mexican, it seems Terence is not fazed by the decision to use him in camp to emulate his style.
Speaking to a media scrum via Ring Magazine, the former undisputed welterweight king responded to the sparring.
He said: “What is there to talk about? You’re fighting the best fighter in the world. You better be taking it seriously. That goes to show how serious he’s taking me and how much he respects me.
“If I haven’t fought anyone, if I was too small, if I was all these things that all the media say I was, then he wouldn’t need these guys to help prepare him to fight me.
“But I’m happy that he’s getting the help that he needs because, after September 13th, there’ll be no excuses.”
He has himself employed some quality sparring partners, including super middleweight hopeful Lester Martinez, to best replicate the size and power of the pride of Mexico.