When Terence “Bud” Crawford and Canelo Alvarez were announced for a super fight, the boxing world split right down the middle.
Some saw Alvarez’s size, power, and résumé as too much for Crawford to overcome. Others believed Crawford’s skill set could carry him through. Among those in the latter camp was Zab Judah, who didn’t just pick Crawford to win—he explained in detail how it could happen.
Appearing on Sway's Universe before the bout, and captured by MRECK TV, Judah said Crawford’s ability to switch seamlessly between orthodox and southpaw, while keeping up constant pressure, would be the difference.
“If Bud comes in, starts fast, starts letting Bud go, start out with right-handed and he switch up to the left-handed style, busting Canelo up, making him miss, hitting him with great counter punches and counter shots—by the 11th round, he’ll be softened up and we can sit him down,” Judah predicted.
Judah highlighted what separates Crawford from so many other top fighters: versatility and precision. The way he uses stance switches not just as a defensive tactic but as an offensive weapon forces opponents to reset over and over.
In the same conversation, Antonio Tarver referred to Crawford’s accuracy as “GPS punching,” describing how he places shots with exactness rather than simply throwing for volume. Judah echoed that idea, stressing that Crawford’s shots don’t just land—they land where they do the most damage.
This was not an isolated assessment. Judah pointed out that many had counted Crawford out against Errol Spence Jr., only to watch him dismantle Spence with a performance that bordered on flawless. In his view, Alvarez would face the same outcome: a fighter who controls range, dictates tempo, and never stops adjusting in real time.
Other voices in the lead-up offered different perspectives. David “Flat” Sparks, a pro fighter who has trained Jake Paul, believed Canelo’s size and comfort at super middleweight would be a major advantage.
Sparks argued that moving up two weight classes would test Crawford in ways no opponent had before. Still, even he acknowledged Crawford’s brilliance, calling him one of the most dangerous fighters alive thanks to his ability to adapt mid-fight.
Once the two finally shared the ring, Crawford proved Judah right. His stance switches, counterpunching, and ring control kept Alvarez off balance, validating Judah’s breakdown of how skill, precision, and adaptability can topple size and power.