Canelo Alvarez has one non-size-related advantage against Terence Crawford according to former world champion

Kelly Pavlik describes how Canelo Alvarez’s experience can help him beat Terence Crawford

Former unified world champion Kelly Pavlik recently spoke to Fight Hub TV in relation to the upcoming fight between Crawford and Alvarez.

Pavlik started his breakdown of the fight by describing Alvarez as a ‘small middleweight’, before calling Crawford a ‘bigger guy’.

This led to the former middleweight champion saying, “He’s [Crawford] almost every bit as big as Canelo, right? That’s what makes it tough.”

Pavlik then referenced that Alvarez had more experience fighting larger opponents, whereas Crawford does not. He said, “The only advantage is, Canelo is used to fighting guys coming down from 200 lbs. So, it’s going to be interesting.”

Despite saying this, Pavlik did not feel it was an advantage enough to declare a clear winner. “It’s too hard to pick on that because of Crawford’s ability and boxing skills.”

The former Bernard Hopkins opponent Pavlik then said he couldn’t make a definitive prediction, but would ‘lean towards Alvarez’.

Kelly Pavlik tells Terence Crawford how to beat Canelo Alvarez

Pavlik was then asked in the interview how he would approach Alvarez if he were Crawford.

The 40-2 fighter said, “I would go in there, fight his game. Use his reactions, his natural abilities, his hand speed, that jab, switching from southpaw to orthodox.

“I wouldn’t stay in one stance long enough for Canelo to figure it out.”

Pavlik added that pressure early on in the fight could also be a key benefit for Crawford. “Put Canelo behind, right? Even if it’s three out of the first four rounds.

“When Canelo has to step it up, after seven rounds, he starts to fade a little bit.” Pavlik then referenced Alvarez’s loss to Dmitry Bivol as a fight he feels could be an example of the Mexican fatiguing.