BARRY MCGUIGAN: Canelo Alvarez needs two things to beat Terence Crawford in Las Vegas

Saul Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are throwback fighters, true hall-of-famers worthy of any golden age. So their September 12 bout in Las Vegas is bound to be one of the most anticipated in recent history.

The hope must be that by fighting each other it will sharpen their senses. The truth is neither impressed in their last performances. On the back of the it looks like Canelo does not have the same appetite for the game.

He barely landed a meaningful punch, never once looked like stopping him. Cubans are brilliantly drilled, of course. Scull was always going to be elusive, but Canelo appeared to be going through the motions.

Canelo needs to be motivated and enthused. The question is can he ever be switched on to the required degree at this stage of a career that, at 34 years of age, has entered its 20th year. At the same time I was not impressed either with Crawford at 154 pounds against Israil Madrimov. He looked way off his best.

It is difficult to carry power through the divisions, even for a fighter as good as peak-Crawford was. Crawford started at lightweight and was at his best at welterweight. Taking on Canelo at super middleweight is some leap, even for him.

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Both will look at the other and believe they can win on the basis of those prior displays. The question is how much of a threat can Crawford bring at the weight? And what has he got left at the age of 38?

He will have the advantage in speed but I don’t see that being enough against Canelo. To succeed Crawford has to want it right down to his boot laces. If that Crawford turns up this will be interesting. But if Canelo is in top shape I have to side with the bigger man.

Who'll win - Saul Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford? Give us your prediction in the .

Canelo is not stressing himself to make the weight. He is the undisputed champion and has cleaned up the super middleweight division. Crawford is eyeing a lucrative retirement plan. He will be making record money in the neon city and won’t want to let anybody down.

Crawford was a spiteful, destructive puncher at welterweight. I just don’t see how he can be effective at 168 pounds. Plus, he was inactive for a year before Madrimov and has not fought since. But be in no doubt, should they bring the best from each other, we are in for a night to remember.

*Follow Barry on X at @‌ClonesCyclone @mcguigan’s_Gym