TERENCE CRAWFORD scoffed at claims he is too “FAT” ahead of his gigantic fight with Canelo Alvarez and talked down fears over his chin.
The unbeaten 41-0 American jumps up two divisions and 14lb to face undisputed 168lb super-middleweight world champion Canelo on Saturday.
Terence Crawford with UFC star Ilia Topuria[/caption]
But Crawford is in stunning shape[/caption]
Crawford showed off his sensationally ripped shape just days before the fight of his life.
But ex-UFC champion Ilia Topuria caused confusion when he posted a picture of himself with the undefeated great – who looked far fleshier.
Internet sleuths were able to figure out the photo was actually months old – and Topuria delayed the upload ahead of the bout.
But still Crawford had to contend with online experts claiming he has piled on too many pounds for his meaty WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO title fight.
“I’m at my natural weight,” he said at the Grand Arrivals in Las Vegas.
“Me me bulking up, a lot of people are taking it too far in that. ‘Oh he’s slow, he’s bulked up this and that and he’s fat.
“I mean, I don’t care about all that. I just wanna fight.”
Canelo – who has won titles from the 154lb super-welterweight division all the way up to 175lb at light-heavyweight – knows a little about going up the weights.
CANELO VS CRAWFORD: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
And he was probed on Crawford’s shredded body transformation.
“Muscles for me doesn’t mean anything. I fought before with bigger guys and it means nothing,” Canelo cooly pointed out.
“But you know, when I saw that you realize he make a good training camp and that made me happy because it’s going to be a good fight.”
Crawford, 37, came face to face with Canelo, 35, for the first time on fight week outside the famous Las Vegas Bellagio hotel water show.
And there did not seem to be much of a size difference between the two – despite Crawford starting his career as a lightweight at 135lb.
“I really don’t care if he’s bigger or if I’m bigger, we still got to fight,” Crawford said.
“Come fight night, that’s the only thing I’m worried about or thinking about. I’m just waiting, counting the days down.”
Crawford admits to have being hurt by far smaller opponents in his career – but shot down concerns over his ability to take a punch up in weight.
“Hey, listen. I ain’t never been down yet, so they can question it all they want,” he said.
“Have I been hurt? Yes, I have. Has he been hurt? Yes, he has, you know, it is what it is. Let’s let’s figure it out.”
Canelo and Crawford sized each other up at the start of the week[/caption]
