"Bam" Rodriguez: "Crawford has the skills to beat Canelo!" | BOXSPORT

“Bam” Rodriguez: “Crawford has the skills to beat Canelo!”

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez against Terence “Bud” Crawford: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez sees the underdog as having the advantage – on one condition.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez recently won the WBO super flyweight title in a unification fight against Phumelela Cafu. (Photo: imago-images / ZUMA Press Wire)

The mega-fight between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford on September 13 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas has been the subject of heated debate for weeks. While Canelo (63-2-2, 39 knockouts) enters the ring as the undisputed super middleweight champion, Crawford (41-0, 31 knockouts) dares to jump two weight classes.

Now shooting star Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 knockouts) has commented on whether Crawford has a chance despite the physical disadvantages. “Canelo is bigger, stronger and more experienced,” Rodriguez told Ring Magazine. “But Crawford has the skills to beat him. He’s a switch-hitter, he hits and hardly gets hit himself. If he can keep Canelo at a distance for twelve rounds, he can win.” However, Rodriguez warns: “With Canelo, a single hit is enough. Crawford has to box perfectly. It’s a risky move, but I favor him. Crawford has everything he needs to beat Canelo.” The bookmakers see the duel as very close: Crawford is the slight underdog with numerous bookmakers, while Canelo is the slight favorite. The over/under is 10.5 rounds.

For Rodriguez himself, his own mega-highlight is coming up soon: On November 22, the 25-year-old will face Fernando “Puma” Martinez in Riyadh – for the Undisputed super flyweight crown.

Text by Robin Josten