Stephen A. Smith & Max Kellerman Expose Canelo’s Achilles’ Heel Before Crawford Mega-Fight

The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation for the December 2025 clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford, a fight billed as a generational showdown between two of the sport’s biggest stars. However, ESPN analysts Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman have thrown a bombshell into the mix, claiming to have pinpointed a critical weakness in Canelo’s game that could spell disaster against the undefeated Crawford. Their explosive analysis, aired on First Take on September 8, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, igniting debates on X and prompting fierce reactions from fans, fighters, and promoters alike.

The Fatal Flaw Revealed

During a heated segment, Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back, declaring, “Canelo’s got heart, power, and experience, but his footwork is his Achilles’ heel!” Smith argued that Canelo’s methodical, pressure-heavy style, while devastating against most opponents, leaves him vulnerable to a technician like Crawford, whose lightning-fast footwork and switch-hitting prowess are unmatched. “Crawford’s gonna dance circles around him,” Smith warned. “If Canelo can’t cut the ring off, he’s in trouble.”

Max Kellerman echoed Smith’s analysis, diving deeper into the technical breakdown. “Canelo’s brilliant at mid-range, but his lateral movement isn’t elite,” Kellerman said. “Crawford’s ability to switch stances and create angles will exploit that. Canelo’s been hit before—look at Bivol. Crawford’s precision is on another level.” Kellerman’s reference to Canelo’s 2022 loss to Dmitry Bivol, where he struggled with Bivol’s mobility, sent X into a frenzy, with fans posting clips of that fight alongside Crawford’s highlight-reel knockouts.

The analysts’ 12-word warning summed up their prediction: “Canelo’s slow feet will cost him against Crawford’s speed and angles.” The statement, bold and unequivocal, has sparked a firestorm of debate, with some fans hailing Smith and Kellerman for their insight and others accusing them of underestimating Canelo’s adaptability.

The Boxing World Reacts

The boxing community was quick to weigh in. Eddie Hearn, Canelo’s former promoter, dismissed the analysis as “typical ESPN sensationalism” during a DAZN interview. “Canelo’s faced every style—power punchers, movers, you name it,” Hearn said. “Crawford’s great, but Canelo’s been adjusting to elite fighters for a decade. Footwork? He’ll figure it out.” Hearn’s defense was echoed by Canelo’s loyal fanbase, who flooded X with #CaneloForever, posting clips of his slick head movement and devastating body shots.

Meanwhile, Crawford’s camp remained coy but confident. Errol Spence Jr., Crawford’s former rival, posted on X: “Bud’s gonna make Canelo look silly. Stephen A. and Max are spot-on.” The post garnered thousands of likes, amplifying the narrative that Canelo’s supposed weakness could be his downfall. Even Oleksandr Usyk, fresh off his own heavyweight drama, chimed in, saying, “Crawford’s movement is special. Canelo must be perfect to win.”

Canelo’s Response: Silence Speaks Volumes

Canelo, typically reserved outside the ring, has yet to directly address Smith and Kellerman’s claims. However, a cryptic X post from his official account—“Work in silence, win in the ring”—hinted at his focus on preparation over engaging in media wars. Sources close to Canelo’s camp in San Diego report that he’s intensified his training, incorporating drills to counter Crawford’s speed and stance-switching. “Canelo’s obsessed with proving doubters wrong,” one insider told BoxingScene. “He’s studying Crawford like a chess grandmaster.”

The timing of the controversy adds another layer of intrigue, especially after reports of Canelo being knocked out in a sparring session, a claim that Hearn vehemently denied. The combination of that rumor and Smith and Kellerman’s analysis has shifted some betting odds slightly in Crawford’s favor, with the Nebraska native now a -150 favorite compared to Canelo’s +130.

A Clash of Styles and Legacies

The Canelo-Crawford fight is already being hailed as a stylistic masterpiece: Canelo’s relentless pressure and power versus Crawford’s surgical precision and versatility. Smith and Kellerman’s focus on Canelo’s footwork has spotlighted a key question: Can the Mexican superstar adapt to Crawford’s elusive movement, or will he rely on his trademark aggression to close the distance? Historical fights offer clues—Canelo struggled against Bivol’s mobility but dominated slower, come-forward fighters like Gennady Golovkin and Caleb Plant.

X users have turned the debate into a virtual battleground, with one post reading, “Canelo’s gonna walk through Crawford’s punches. Footwork won’t save him!” Another countered, “Crawford’s too smart. He’ll make Canelo swing at air all night.” The polarized reactions reflect the high stakes of the fight, which could cement either fighter’s claim as the face of boxing.

The Road to December

As the December showdown approaches, Smith and Kellerman’s analysis has added fuel to an already explosive buildup. Canelo, with a record of 61-2-2 (39 KOs), faces a career-defining test against Crawford, who boasts a perfect 40-0 (31 KOs) and a reputation for dismantling opponents across multiple weight classes. The ESPN duo’s warning has forced fans and analysts to reassess Canelo’s invincibility, while also highlighting Crawford’s potential to pull off a historic upset.

Will Canelo’s experience and power overcome his alleged weakness, or will Crawford’s speed and angles prove too much? As one X user put it, “This ain’t just a fight—it’s a legacy on the line.” With the boxing world hanging on every development, December can’t come soon enough.