Terence Crawford is staring down the biggest challenge of his career this weekend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Moving up two weight classes to face Canelo Alvarez is no simple task for any fighter, but the 37-year-old has spared no effort, so when the bell rings, the decision will be in his favor. But who has he been sparring with for the fight?

From an intense training regimen to carefully selecting sparring partners, Crawford has been meticulous in his preparation. For this blockbuster showdown, the Nebraskan technician has brought in none other than Lester Martinez, who will not only sharpen Crawford’s skills in camp but also feature on the undercard of Canelo vs. Crawford, streaming live on Netflix.

Lester Martinez as Terence Crawford’s trusty sparring partner

The undefeated Omaha star brought in the dangerous Lester Martinez, who boasts a record of 19-0 (16 KOs). Training alongside Terence Crawford under the watchful eye of Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, Martinez handed 9-0-2 Joeshon James a 4th-round knockout loss in March this year. Before that, he earned a decision win over former IBO champion Carlos Gongora, whose only other losses came against elite contenders.

Martinez is a super middleweight boxer, so with his size, power, and aggressive style, the 29-year-old is seen as the perfect sparring partner to mimic the challenges Crawford will face against Canelo Alvarez. When Crawford’s trainer was asked about Martinez as Crawford’s sparring partner, he seemed confident, “We’re definitely gonna use him for sparring.” But this begs the question: has training with Martinez actually helped Crawford?

Training with Team Crawford

Reflecting on his time sparring with Terence Crawford ahead of the Canelo Alvarez fight, Lester Martinez revealed whether it has upped Crawford’s game at 168 pounds. “He’s like a lot of people say, he’s a beast. He’s prepared, he’s ready, even though he’s coming from a very low weight class,” Martinez told Fight Hub TV when asked about Crawford’s preparation for the fight. 

Moving two weight classes can be difficult to adapt to, but Martinez claims Crawford is better than ever. “In the sense that I’ve felt closer, more explosive. His speed, his snap, he still has it. He hasn’t lost it, he’s felt it. But I think the nutrition he has, [and] the team he has, is a very good base to be at 168lbs.”

As for whether Crawford can handle Canelo’s power, Martinez put everyone at ease. “Yes, in fact, he does. In fact, the sparring he’s done with people bigger than him, heavier, with my person. And yes, you just have to see it,” Martinez said during the interview. However, how does sparring with Crawford help Martinez? 

How Sparring With Crawford Helps Lester Martinez

Lester Martinez himself is faced with a tough challenge that night, as he prepares to fight the undefeated and far more experienced Christian Mbilli on the Canelo-Crawford undercard. Mbilli is, of course, the interim WBC super middleweight champion. This means if the Guatemala boxer can beat Mbilli, he will become a contender to face Canelo Alvarez himself, given Canelo beats Crawford. Also, Crawford’s elite-level boxing skills can only help Martinez get better and upgrade his own boxing skills. 

Terence Crawford seems to have secured an ideal sparring partner as he prepares for Canelo Alvarez. But let’s not forget, Canelo has also been putting in rounds with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis—someone frequently compared to Crawford for his similar style. In the end, only fight night will show whose training camp and sparring choices pay off. So, who do you have winning?