Ripped Crawford weighs same as champion Canelo

A shredded Terence Crawford – jumping up two divisions – weighed the same as champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for Saturday’s super-middleweight showdown in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten Crawford, aiming to become the first male three-division undisputed champion in the modern era, came in just half a pound under the 12st (75kg) limit.

Mexican Alvarez, 35, will defend his WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and WBO titles at the Allegiant Stadium.

The official weigh-in was held behind closed doors at the Fontainebleau on Friday morning.

There appeared to be little difference in size or height. Crawford poked his tongue at his team, while Alvarez, looking expressionless as if he had just rolled out of bed, casually stepped off the scales.

Crawford first became world champion at lightweight before unifying the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.

Thirteen months ago, he moved up to light-middleweight and beat Israil Madrimov in arguably his closest contest yet.

Alvarez, who turned professional at just 15 in 2005, boasts a record of 63 wins, two defeats, and two draws. Saturday marks his 21st fight in Las Vegas.

British legend Lennox Lewis warns Crawford about the dangers of stepping up in weight.

“It’s not really easy coming up in weight. You get hit hard and sometimes it can affect you,” Lewis told BBC Sport.

“What Crawford has to realise is not to get hit to save his energy. He’s coming up against a guy who can hit hard.

Jumping up in weight has historically left challengers vulnerable against naturally bigger champions.

Yet in Las Vegas this week, many pundits and fighters are tipping Crawford to win – a testament to his adaptability and ring IQ.

Crawford looks ripped and defined, not having put on weight at the expense of his athleticism, but whether he can carry the same speed, timing, and precision into the ring remains the question.

He says the extra pounds have been more blessing than burden.

“It’s been different because I don’t have to worry about anything – the weight room, strength and conditioning, when I’m eating and things like that. I’m as happy as could be,” he told BBC Sport on Tuesday.

The freedom has even extended to breakfast.

“I woke up and ate pancakes this morning. I would never have been able to eat pancakes before,” he said.