What would victory mean for each fighter's legacy and career?

What would victory mean for each fighter's legacy and career?

This fight has massive implications for both men's legacies. Here's what's at stake:

For Canelo Álvarez:

• Legacy Enhancement: A win over Terence Crawford would be another jewel in Canelo's crown. He would have beaten an undefeated, reigning undisputed champion (albeit from a lower weight). This victory would further cement his status as one of the greatest Mexican fighters ever.

• Pound-for-Pound #1: Defeating Crawford would likely vault Canelo to or solidify him as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter again. Crawford is currently often ranked above him P4P, so head-to-head victory would settle that debate definitively.

• Historical Comparisons: Canelo's name could be mentioned alongside the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, who beat smaller but great fighters (Duran, Hearns) and larger ones too; or even someone like Henry Armstrong, who conquered multiple weight classes.

• Critics' Take: Some might still say "well Crawford was smaller," but doing what you're supposed to do (win as the bigger favorite) is still crucial. And Crawford's skill is so high that size alone won't be enough – Canelo would have to execute perfectly.

• Next Steps: A win could set Canelo's legacy in stone to the point he might consider winding down or only taking select fights (like maybe one last mega fight, or a rematch if Crawford somehow has a rematch clause).

For Terence Crawford:

• Immortal Legacy: A Crawford victory would be historically monumental. He would become the undisputed super middleweight champion, making him a three-division undisputed champ (140, 147, 168) – something unprecedented in the four-belt era.

• Pound-for-Pound & GOAT Talk: Bud would almost certainly be hailed as the #1 pound-for-pound by all outlets if he isn't already. Beating Canelo at Canelo's weight when no one else at 168 could dethrone him would be legendary.

• Trailblazing: Crawford's win could inspire a new generation of fighters to take risks and move up to find big fights. It'd be a validation that skills can overcome natural size, at least in special cases.

• Underdog Triumph: It would also be one of the greatest upsets in modern boxing, not in betting odds perhaps (since Crawford's not a huge underdog) but in terms of challenge magnitude. Many would consider it one of the greatest achievements ever.

• Retirement or Continue?: At nearly 38, if Crawford wins, he might quite literally drop the mic on an unparalleled career. He'd have nothing left to prove. There could be a rematch clause (Canelo might have one), but Crawford could retire on top.

For Boxing History:

This fight transcends individual legacies. It's about the sport itself – a true superfight between two pound-for-pound elites from different weight classes. The winner will have a claim to being the best fighter of this era, and the fight will be remembered as one of the defining moments of 2020s boxing.

The stakes couldn't be higher: legacy, pound-for-pound supremacy, and a place in boxing history are all on the line. Both men know this is their chance to cement their greatness.

(Sources: Boxing analysts' breakdowns of legacy implications; historical comparisons to past superfights.)