In a fiery segment on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman dropped a bombshell ahead of the September 13, 2025, Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford superfight at Allegiant Stadium, claiming to have pinpointed the one weakness that could cost Canelo his undisputed super-middleweight crown. The revelation, delivered with their signature intensity, has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, igniting debates on X and fueling speculation about whether Crawford, the pound-for-pound king, can exploit this chink in Canelo’s armor to pull off a historic upset in what’s billed as boxing’s biggest fight.
Smith, never one to mince words, declared that Canelo’s vulnerability lies in his footwork, particularly against elusive, high-IQ fighters like Crawford. “Canelo’s a tank, but his feet ain’t fast enough for Bud’s game,” Smith argued, noting that Canelo’s methodical approach, while devastating, struggles against opponents who control distance and angles. Kellerman echoed this, pointing to Canelo’s 2013 loss to Floyd Mayweather, where superior movement neutralized his power. “Crawford’s a wizard at switching stances and creating traps,” Kellerman said. “If he keeps Canelo chasing, he can expose that stiffness in his legs.”
Canelo, 35, enters with a 63-2-2 record and a resume boasting wins over Gennady Golovkin and Dmitry Bivol. His dominance at 168 pounds, where he’s a two-time undisputed champion, makes him the favorite. Yet, Smith and Kellerman’s analysis suggests Crawford’s speed and adaptability could disrupt Canelo’s rhythm. Crawford, 37, with a perfect 41-0 record and titles in four weight classes, is coming off a gritty win at 154 pounds against Israil Madrimov. Moving up 14 pounds to face Canelo’s power is a gamble, but the ESPN duo believes his ring intelligence could be the equalizer.
The fight, streaming on Netflix and backed by Dana White and Turki Alalshikh, has drawn unprecedented hype, with fans on X dissecting Smith and Kellerman’s take. Some agree, citing Canelo’s struggles against slick boxers like Mayweather, while others argue his improved ring-cutting and body-punching prowess will overwhelm Crawford. “Canelo’s learned since Floyd,” one user posted. “Bud’s in trouble if he gets cornered.” Others rallied behind Crawford, pointing to his ability to outsmart opponents like Errol Spence Jr. as evidence he can exploit Canelo’s supposed weakness.
This revelation adds intrigue to a clash already steeped in stakes. Canelo’s legacy as boxing’s face is on the line, while Crawford aims to become the first male boxer to win undisputed titles in three weight classes. Smith and Kellerman’s bold claim has shifted the narrative, putting pressure on Canelo to prove his footwork can keep pace and on Crawford to capitalize on this perceived flaw. As Las Vegas buzzes with anticipation, the boxing world waits to see if this weakness will define the fight or if Canelo’s dominance will silence the critics once again.
