Canelo Alvarez has received an unexpected show of support from one of his oldest rivals.
In a highly anticipated bout this Saturday, Canelo will go head-to-head with Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in a fight that is widely regarded as one of the most significant boxing matches in recent memory.
With so much hype around this fight, Canelo is expected to earn over $100 million. UFC president Dana White has also said that ticket sales are on pace to make it one of the highest-grossing events ever held at the venue.
Star power has been strong throughout fight week, with plenty of notable names turning up to watch. As always, fans, pundits, and fighters have been busy making their predictions ahead of Saturday night’s main event.
One of Canelo Alvarez’s biggest ever rivals offers surprise support ahead of fight
Canelo, widely seen as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, has still faced plenty of criticism in recent years, particularly for not having scored a knockout since 2021.
His last knockout victory came against Caleb Plant, an American champion with whom he had a heated rivalry heading into their title fight. The tension boiled over even before they stepped into the ring.
During their pre-fight press conference, Canelo slapped Plant after shoving him and caused a nosebleed before security intervened to separate them.
But ahead of Canelo’s fight with Crawford, Plant has put their past aside and spoke highly about his former opponent.
Plant said to Ring Magazine: “Canelo with everything he’s accomplished, he’s a great fighter, he’s a legendary fighter who I also have a lot of respect for so I think it’s gonna be a big weekend, I don’t think it’s gonna be a snoozer.
“If anyone is gonna make it a snoozer it’s gonna be Terence, right, because he’s a smaller guy he gets hit, he may start moving around.”
Caleb Plant’s advice for Terence Crawford ahead of Canelo Alvarez fight
Despite being stopped by the Mexican, Plant has shared the ring with Canelo and is well-placed to offer Crawford some insights ahead of the bout.
“I think Terence’s best bet would be to be on the outside boxing or be all the way inside but not necessarily just hang out in the mid-range because Canelo is fast and explosive, he hits really hard, right, so him just chilling in the mid-range could be a good way to get caught.
“If I had a chance to whisper something to Terence, that would be my advice, but Terence is where he’s at for a reason, he don’t need me to tell him.”
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