Terence Crawford’s toughest opponent reveals Canelo’s secret weapon ahead of pound-for-pound mega-fight

Shawn Porter believes Canelo Alvarez using Jaron Ennis could win him the fight over Terence Crawford

In a clip from The Porter Way Podcast, Shawn Porter, who was up on the scorecards going into the 10th round of his fight with Bud before being stopped, suggested Jaron Ennis sparring Canelo, who refused to rematch Erislandy Lara, could make all the difference come September 13th.

Porter said, “It’s excellent work […] When you’re training for a championship fight, you need something that’s going to raise your level; you never know exactly what it is. It could be running in the mountains, it could be a specific sparring partner that you have.”

“This move right here got me concerned a little for my boy [Crawford].”

Porter suggested Ennis will be able to replicate much of what Crawford has to offer, and that Canelo, who debuted aged 15, as a result, will benefit hugely from the sparring.

“It’s not often you can find someone who can duplicate the guy you’re getting in the ring with.”

Canelo’s choice of sparring partner was also praised by a giant-slayer

Also on the podcast was Brian Mendoza, whose career-defining win came in 2023 as he toppled the 6’6″ Sebastian Fundora.

Mendoza was quick to praise Canelo’s sparring partner, too, and claimed just him calling in Ennis is testament to his mindset going into the fight.

“The fact that Canelo even brought in Boots, even if they’re like doing it for the cameras and going 50%, I don’t even care. The fact that he’s calling him in shows he’s not just phoning it in; he’s not just trying to do this and dip out. […] Canelo’s really trying to be in there to win it.”

Both Mendoza and Porter believe such elite sparring could make a huge difference come September 13th.