Are Canelo and Crawford still in their prime heading into this fight?

Are Canelo and Crawford still in their prime heading into this fight?

The age and prime status of both fighters is a key factor in this matchup. Here's the breakdown:

Age and Career Status:

• Canelo Álvarez: Age 35 (as of July 2025). He turned pro very young (15) and has had a long career with 60+ fights. There are some signs that Canelo's absolute physical peak may have passed. For instance, his punch output has decreased in recent fights, and some critics point to a slight decline in explosiveness.

• Terence Crawford: Age 37 (turning 38 by fight time in Sept 2025). For smaller fighters, late 30s is typically considered past prime. Yet, Crawford has been a late bloomer in a sense – his domination of Errol Spence Jr. in 2023 showed he was still at an elite level.

• Neither in Prime?: A piece on BoxingTalk or BN24 suggested "neither man is in his prime" and that this fight is happening a bit late. Both fighters are in their mid-to-late 30s, which is historically past the peak for most boxers.

• Impact on Fight: Age could manifest in stamina. If the fight goes into deep waters (championship rounds), who holds up better? Canelo's had some stamina issues historically (though improved) and can tire in later rounds.

• Injuries or Wear: Neither fighter has been through many career-threatening wars. Canelo had hand surgery in 2022 (after the Plant fight) and sometimes has hinted at wear in his knees (he's been seen wearing knee braces in training). Crawford has been relatively injury-free but has had a long career.

Recent Performance Indicators:

Canelo's recent fights have been less explosive than his peak years, but he's still winning decisively. His victory over Jermell Charlo was workmanlike rather than spectacular. Crawford's last fight against Israil Madrimov at 154 lbs was reportedly tougher than expected, though he still won clearly.

The Verdict:

While both men are past their absolute physical primes, they remain elite fighters. Crawford's technical skills and ring IQ may age better than Canelo's power and explosiveness. The question is whether their experience and skill can compensate for any physical decline.

This fight represents a fascinating clash of two great fighters at a stage where their skills and experience are at their highest, even if their physical attributes may have peaked a few years earlier.

(Sources: Age and career statistics; recent fight analysis; boxing media discussions on prime status.)