Avila Perspective, Chap. 343: Four Legends in Action on a Golden Boxing Weekend

Decades from now, boxing fans will talk about this weekend.

It all begins with Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (52-4, 42 KOs) back in the ring against Hector Robles (13-8-3) on Friday Sept. 12, in Managua, Nicaragua. It won’t be televised in the US but it’s always special when the future Hall of Fame boxer enters the prize ring.

On Saturday the big guns take the center stage as super stars Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) and Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) meet for the super middleweight championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Netflix will stream the loaded fight card.

Then, on Sunday, Japan’s Naoya “Monster” Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) meets former champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs) for the super bantamweight championship on Sunday Sept. 14, at IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan. ESPN Knockout will stream the match. It can also be viewed on Top Rank’s Facebook.com page. 3 a.m. PT.

All these certain future Boxing Hall of Fame candidates will be performing this weekend.

The big daddy of all the fights of course is Canelo versus Bud. Both are considered among the top fighters pound for pound in the world. Both have maintained their place in that status for many years.

When Crawford enters the ring, he represents the smaller guy meeting the bigger guy. He has never fought at super middleweight before but has risen from lightweight to super welterweight champion. That’s quite a feat.

Alvarez began at 14 years old and rose from super welterweight to light heavyweight champion. Despite often giving up six to seven inches in height the Mexican redhead emerged victorious.

The secret for both fighters is their strength. Both are considered very strong physically which enables them to dictate pace, movement and inside prowess. That has always been their secret power.

How will they fare against each other?

That’s the question.

Their strength has allowed them to face vicious hitters and remain upright. Neither has tasted the canvas.

Alvarez met one of the greatest knockout punchers of this era in Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and was able to withstand the murderous assaults of the middleweight great. He also slugged it out with Russian head-hunter Sergey Kovalev and crushed the crusher.

Crawford is no shrinking petunia either. He slugged it out with Israil Madrimov, Errol Spence Jr. and Egidijus Kavaliasuskas. All big hitters and all defeated by the Nebraska banger. Now he is moving up to the big boy division.

Still, there are question marks for both.

Age-wise, Crawford is 37 and Alvarez is 35. But the fighter known as Canelo has amassed 67 pro fights while Crawford has 41. Though the Nebraska fighter is older he has less wear and tear. Alvarez has more tread usage. Crawford turns 38 in two weeks.

Alvarez did not look impressive against the track meet style of William Scull. Either the Mexican redhead refused to chase or was unable to run down the mover.

Crawford on the other hand can try to hit and run, but will he? The promoters are giving him his biggest payday and if he wants to continue making the big dough he needs to make the fight exciting. Will he stand and trade?

Of course, it’s happened before that when legend meets legend the bets are off. Think Sugar Ray Leonard versus Roberto Duran II. Their first fight they slugged it out and Duran won. Their second fight Leonard hit and ran Duran to capitulation.

It is all about winning at this stage.

Crawford will test Alvarez’s strength early and if he feels the Mexican is too strong, he will resort to plan B and change tactics. The Nebraska fighter has never fought anyone that could match his strength. Will that change on Saturday?

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