One only wishes Canelo had thrashed the lights out of William Scull. Within the ring, the boxing superstar prevailed and became an undisputed champion once again. But outside he seems to be losing his grip on the popular votes. The boxing world is witnessing a notable shift. Canelo Alvarez had been, and perhaps still remains, the overwhelming favorite against Terence Crawford. But the Scull fight may have marked a turning point.

Canelo and Crawford are slated for an epochal showdown in September. Reports suggest a change in date, and a decision over the venue hangs in the balance. The title fight against William Scull, which took place two weeks ago, appears to have become a catalyst that sparked a change in views among several fans. Widely panned, the fight witnessed Skull scurrying around the ring, avoiding direct face-off. But what seemingly perturbed many fans is that they saw a Canelo who wasn’t able to cut off the ring to tag and outbox Skull. Perhaps that’s why former two-division champion and now leading boxing analyst and commentator Timothy ‘Tim’ Bradley finds himself heavily ‘biased’ towards Crawford winning the big fight.

There’s only one way, and that’s Terence Crawford way

Tim Bradley was at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego for the Emanuel Navarrete–Charly Suarez headliner. After the fight, as he waded through a few fans waiting to take selfies, Bradley managed to respond to a few reporters’ questions. Naturally, the Canelo-Crawford fight dominated the conversation.

“What do you think about Canelo Crawford? Who’s winning that?” a person asked. “You already know I’m biased,” replied Bradley before adding, “I got Crawford, dude.” Someone countered that Canelo would win the fight within ten rounds. So Bradley pointed out, “He couldn’t catch a chicken in his last fight…. He couldn’t catch a chicken, so how the hell are you going to catch Crawford?”

As he shared his thoughts on the Navarrete-Suarez fight, which has now become a major controversy, Bradley reiterated, “I’m biased. I don’t even want to. Don’t listen to me. I’m just letting y’all know, don’t listen. I’m biased, but I’m just saying Canelo couldn’t catch that chicken that chicken he was up against. How the hell do you think he’s going to catch Crawford, one of the best and most skillful fighters in the game?”

Unlike many who still remain undecided, Tim Bradley sounded certain. There’s only one way the fight’s going to end. Crawford will win.

But don’t jump the gun! 

But there are many who think that it would be foolish to rule out Canelo based on one fight. Take a look at what Danny Garcia, a former two-division champion like Bradley, said. Responding to an ever-increasing query on Canelo-Crawford, Garcia said, “But I think—I think Canelo is going to—in my personal opinion, I think Canelo is going to be too much for him.”

For him, however, Crawford’s year-long inactivity remained the major concern. It was on August 3 last year that the Nebraskan champion fought Israil Madrimov. Then he’s climbing up two weight divisions. According to Garcia, who recalled his own 28-month-long inactivity ahead of a major square-up, it doesn’t bode well.

As days progress, perhaps fans will come across many more unyielding views.

What about you? Do you agree with Tim Bradley or Danny Garcia?