Mike Tyson, Tom Brady, Denzel Washington, and Other Celebs Predict Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford

Fights like Canelo-Crawford don’t come around often. On September 13, two of the top pound-for-pound champions will take on each other in what looks to be the swansong of both their careers. Add the financial backing of the state of Saudi Arabia, two of the biggest boxing markets in the world, and a couple of records on offer, it is not difficult to see why the fight has captured so many people’s imagination.

Indeed, the hype for Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford is equal to some of the biggest fights of all time, like Mayweather-Pacquiao, Tyson-Lewis, and Ali-Foreman. Whether the fight lives up to the promise remains to be seen, but the fight is big enough for even the non-boxing world, including Hollywood and sports royalty, to weigh in. So ahead of the clash at Allegiant Stadium, let us take a look at the picks made by celebrities, starting with everyone’s favorite living boxer.

Mike Tyson is not too sure

Mike Tyson has not given any official predictions on Canelo-Crawford. Instead, the former heavyweight champion is just curious to see the matchup play out, even if he does not have a clear preference in terms of the result. “I want Crawford to win, but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen. … I would like for that to happen, but (Canelo) is a hard puncher, he’s a smart fighter, he can move. I’m just curious. I just wanna see it. I want to be there and see it,” Tyson said on ‘The Big Podcast’. When asked about the size difference between the two, defending Bud Crawford, Iron Mike added, “Listen, there’s been upsets like that before, Henry Armstrong at 124 lbs he beat the 146lb champion, so you know, you never know. Anything can happen when two men are in the ring or on a basketball court, anything can happen.”

Of course, size has been one of the most talked-about things in the build-up to the fight. After all, Crawford is moving up two weight classes, which means Canelo has the clear advantage. But then again, ‘Bud’ is supremely talented and skilled. There could be very good cases made for either man to win.

Denzel Washington loves Crawford, but…

Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, too, has refused to make a clear pick for the clash. Like Tyson, the size difference was one of the ‘Equalizer’ star’s worries, since he is concerned about how exactly ‘Bud’ will deal with the Mexican superstar’s power and his infamous granite chin.

“But, I will say this, and I love Crawford, Canelo’s a bigger man. He ain’t ever been hit by a man like this. But Crawford’s a great, great fighter. One of the greatest I have ever seen. I love Crawford; I try to be like him. I love Canelo, I can’t call. I won’t call… Because he’s the bigger dude, I don’t know, we’re going to find out. I am glad Crawford finally has the fight,” Washington said in an interview.

Tom Brady is happy for the sport

The six-time Super Bowl winner joined Canelo, Crawford, Dana White, and Shaquille O’Neal for a podcast episode called ‘GOAT Talk’. There, the former Patriots QB eloquently spoke about why the matchup was so exciting and compelling, and why sports fans in general, not just boxing fans, are so excited for it.

“I think for any sports fan, you want to see the best fight the best, you know? And it doesn’t matter what sport it is. I think that’s what UFC has done such a great job, when I look at the NBA, it’s the great teams against the great teams, and [this] is the great fighters against one another,” Tom Brady said.

“That brings everyone’s attention to it, and that’s what you want to see. You want to see the best and what [Canelo] has accomplished, and what he’s done, and what Bud [Crawford] has gone, and say ‘All right, let’s see what happens.’ That’s the excitement of sports,” the former NFL MVP added.

Shaquille O’Neal has one name and one name only

However, one man who was not afraid to take a clear stance on Canelo-Crawford was NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. When asked to pick the winner of Canelo-Crawford, four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hesitate. He boldly declared, “Terence Crawford.” On being asked why he was so sure, ‘Shaq’ replied with a simple, “Because he is the greatest.”

In fact, the former Laker went one step further, claiming that Crawford will “knock him [Canelo] out.” Clearly, ‘Shaq’ thinks Canelo’s size advantage won’t be much of a problem for Crawford. Whether or not that turns out to be true remains to be seen, but we do know that O’Neal will be present at Allegiant Stadium to witness the historic bout. “I’ll be there,” the four-time NBA champion said when asked if he would be at the fight in Vegas.

Michael Jai White is betting on black

Yes, Hollywood star and mixed martial arts black belt Michael Jai White, too, has picked Crawford to beat Canelo on September 13, for exactly the reasons you would think. “Because Crawford could find people to fight like Canelo, who’s amazing… I just don’t think he’s as fast as Crawford, and I think Crawford is just a little step ahead as far as movement is concerned. And so I think it’s going to be Mayweather-Canelo part two,” White told DJ Vlad confidently.

White agreed with DJ Vlad that Canelo was bigger and that is why “Crawford ain’t going to knock him out. But I don’t know if Canelo is going to land very solidly on Crawford.” Well, White is a pretty accomplished martial artist himself and understands the intricacies of the sweet science. Whether his prediction is proven right and Canelo is not able to land cleanly on ‘Bud’ will be determined on September 13.

What are your predictions for Canelo-Crawford? Let us know in the comments section below.