When a fighter who has shared the ring with both men in a mega-event offers his opinion, fans and analysts pay attention. That is exactly the case with Amir Khan, the former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, who has now voiced his prediction for the upcoming Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford super-fight. The clash, scheduled for September 13, 2025, at the spectacular Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, has been billed as a “Once In A Lifetime” showdown for the undisputed super-middleweight championship.
Khan, who bravely stepped into the ring against both Álvarez in 2016 and Crawford in 2019, believes that Crawford’s unique style and sharp technical skill give him the edge. This perspective is especially intriguing because it is grounded not in theory but in lived experience. He has felt Canelo’s power and Crawford’s precision, and based on that firsthand knowledge, he leans toward the undefeated American.
This article explores Amir Khan’s take on the fight, the historical stakes of the bout, how both men match up, and why his insight carries weight.
A Clash of Eras and Styles
The September showdown has boxing fans buzzing because it represents a rare collision between two fighters who could each claim to be the sport’s face of the modern era. On one side stands Canelo Álvarez, a household name who has spent over a decade fighting at the highest level. The Mexican star has conquered weight classes from light-middleweight to light-heavyweight, defeating names such as Gennadiy Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, and Caleb Plant. At thirty-five, he is no longer the lightning-fast youngster who burst onto the world stage, but he remains a formidable champion who knows how to adapt and survive in the toughest of circumstances.
On the other side is Terence “Bud” Crawford, the slick Nebraska-born boxer widely regarded as the pound-for-pound king. Crawford has been dominant in every division he has entered, capturing undisputed championships at lightweight and welterweight. His dismantling of Errol Spence Jr. in 2023 was one of the most one-sided super-fights in recent memory and cemented his reputation as a generational talent. His decision to leap all the way to super-middleweight, however, represents a bold gamble. Crawford has never fought at 168 pounds before, and critics question whether his advantages in speed and timing will be enough to overcome the physicality of naturally larger men.
This mixture of stylistic contrasts power versus precision, size versus speed, and experience versus ambition makes the fight more than just another title bout. It is a clash of eras and legacies, one that will determine how both men are remembered.
Amir Khan’s History With Both Fighters
Khan’s view matters precisely because he has confronted both Canelo and Crawford in the ring. In May 2016, he shocked the boxing world by moving up from welterweight to challenge Canelo for the WBC middleweight title. For the first few rounds, Khan’s speed and combinations gave him a visible edge, surprising those who doubted his ability to compete at the weight. But that momentum ended abruptly in the sixth round, when Canelo landed a thunderous overhand right that left Khan unconscious on the canvas. It was one of the most devastating knockouts of the decade and a brutal reminder of the Mexican’s raw power.
Three years later, in April 2019, Khan faced Terence Crawford at Madison Square Garden for the WBO welterweight crown. This time, Khan was up against a fighter closer to his natural size, yet he found Crawford far more difficult to hit cleanly. Crawford switched effortlessly between southpaw and orthodox stances, dictated the tempo, and consistently beat Khan to the punch. The bout ended in the sixth round after a low blow led Khan’s corner to halt the fight, but the outcome was never really in doubt Crawford’s skill set had dominated the exchanges.
These two fights gave Khan a unique education. Against Canelo, he experienced raw, concussive power. Against Crawford, he experienced the frustration of chasing a fighter who seemed one step ahead at all times. That direct comparison is the foundation for his prediction today.
Why Amir Khan Favors Terence Crawford
Khan has explained in several interviews why he leans toward Crawford in this historic matchup. He emphasizes that when he faced Canelo, he found opportunities to land clean punches, particularly in the early rounds. Canelo’s defense, while strong, left openings that a fast and precise fighter could exploit. The danger, of course, was that Canelo only needed one opening of his own to end the night and he delivered it spectacularly.
By contrast, Khan recalls that when he fought Crawford, he could hardly touch him. Crawford’s footwork, defensive awareness, and counterpunching ability made it nearly impossible to connect with meaningful shots. Khan described Crawford as a fighter who is “not careless” and therefore unlikely to be caught by a single big punch. For him, the difference was night and day: Canelo could be hit, Crawford could not.
Khan also points to the trajectory of both fighters’ careers. Canelo, though still an elite competitor, has fought through countless wars and has shown subtle signs of slowing down. He is no longer the relentless, head-moving machine of his prime. Crawford, on the other hand, looks sharper than ever. His performance against Spence suggested he is at the absolute peak of his career, and Khan believes this freshness will prove decisive.
Finally, Khan highlights that boxing is not simply about raw power. Timing, precision, and ring IQ matter just as much, and in those areas, Crawford has the advantage. While Canelo may still carry heavier hands, Crawford’s ability to dictate the rhythm and avoid clean shots could neutralize that strength.
The Counterargument Why Canelo Still Has a Path
Despite his lean toward Crawford, Khan is not dismissing Álvarez entirely. He acknowledges that Canelo has built his reputation at super-middleweight, a division Crawford has never tested. The Mexican has beaten naturally larger men and has proven that his power carries through the weight classes. Crawford, no matter how skilled, will be entering uncharted waters.
Khan also notes that Canelo remains one of the sport’s most experienced big-fight competitors. He has shared the ring with Floyd Mayweather, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Sergey Kovalev, among others. That kind of experience at the highest level cannot be underestimated. If Crawford makes a mistake or slows down under the weight, Canelo will be ready to capitalize.
For this reason, Khan frames his prediction cautiously. He leans toward Crawford, but he does not present the outcome as certain. In boxing, especially at this level, one punch or one adjustment can change everything.
Skill Versus Size The Central Question
At its heart, this fight is a test of whether skill and adaptability can overcome natural size and strength. Crawford brings the sharper technique, the superior footwork, and the higher boxing IQ. Canelo brings the proven power, the resilience, and the confidence of a man who has fought the best in the world for more than a decade.
If Crawford can maintain his movement, avoid Canelo’s body shots, and control the pace of the fight, he could frustrate the Mexican star and outpoint him over twelve rounds. But if Canelo can cut off the ring, force exchanges, and land his trademark hooks to the body, Crawford will be tested in ways he never has before.
Khan’s belief that Crawford’s skill will outweigh Canelo’s power is rooted in his personal struggles against both men. Yet even he concedes that this balance is delicate, and the margins are thin.
Historical Stakes of the Fight
The outcome of this bout carries enormous historical weight. Should Terence Crawford win, he would achieve something unprecedented: becoming an undisputed champion in three different weight classes. That achievement would place him among the sport’s all-time greats, surpassing even legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and Manny Pacquiao in terms of multi-division dominance.
If Canelo Álvarez wins, he further cements his legacy as the defining fighter of his generation. A victory over the pound-for-pound number one would silence critics who argue that his best days are behind him. It would also reinforce his reputation as the king of the super-middleweights and possibly the most accomplished Mexican fighter in history.
Either way, the fight will not just crown a winner it will reshape the conversation about greatness in modern boxing.
Amir Khan on Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Why His View Resonates
Khan’s words matter because he speaks from painful and personal experience. Against Canelo, he learned what happens when a single punch connects cleanly. Against Crawford, he learned how maddening it can be to miss again and again while being picked apart by a more elusive opponent. His assessment is not about hype or speculation, it is about memory and reality.
That makes his leaning toward Crawford all the more intriguing. Fans may disagree, but it is difficult to dismiss the view of a man who has actually faced both giants in the ring.
FAQs
Who is Amir Khan and why does his opinion matter?
He is a former world champion who fought both Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, giving him rare firsthand insight.
When is the Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford fight?
The fight took place on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, streamed worldwide on Netflix.
Why does Khan favor Crawford over Canelo?
Khan found Canelo easier to hit but felt Crawford was nearly impossible to catch cleanly, making him believe Crawford’s style gives him the advantage.
Can Canelo still win the fight?
Yes. His power, size, and big-fight experience mean that if he closes the distance, he can still overwhelm Crawford.
Conclusion
The boxing world awaits with anticipation as two giants prepare to meet in Las Vegas. Amir Khan’s lean toward Terence Crawford adds a fascinating dimension to the buildup, offering fans a perspective grounded in real combat. For Khan, Crawford’s speed, defense, and boxing IQ stand out as decisive, while Canelo’s power and size remain dangerous variables.
Whatever the outcome, this is a fight that will shape legacies and perhaps redefine greatness. On September 13, the debate will finally be settled in the ring, where words give way to punches and history is written one round at a time.
