Terence Crawford to spar dangerous 19-0 knockout artist ahead of Canelo Alvarez super fight
Terence Crawford will take on the tough challenge of undefeated Lester Martinez in sparring to prepare for Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford will fight in arguably the biggest test of his career when he will step up to 168lbs to challenge fellow pound-for-pound great Alvarez in September.
The Las Vegas tilt will see 'Bud' look to become a five-weight world champion in arguably the sport's biggest fight of the year.
He will not take a warm-up fight and will be thrown straight into the deep end against Alvarez.
Read More Boxing news
The Guatemalan prospect has won all 19 of his fights so far and is being considered a real talent at super-middleweight.
He most recently beat Joeshon James with a ferocious KO at the weekend, picking up where he left off after outpointing Carlos Gongora last year.
Martinez's size will help Crawford prepare for the significant step-up in size that he will take against Alvarez.
Crawford spent a large portion of his career at 147lbs where he reigned as undisputed champion after beating Errol Spence in 2023.
Last year he moved up to 154lbs where he edged past Israil Madrimov to claim the WBA light-middleweight strap - becoming a four-weight world champ.
But a victory for the American over Canelo would be unprecedented and a career best given the odds are stacked against him.
Crawford would equal Floyd Mayweather's status as a five-weight king, and almost certainly see him ranked as a pound-for-pound leader.
Alvarez must first beat William Scull on May 3 to ensure the showdown is on track.
But if he does as expected, it will see the undisputed crown on the line when he meets Crawford.
Many in the boxing fraternity have expressed doubt over Crawford's capability to make a huge leap in weight.
But Crawford has insisted he's used to being an underdog and is ready to silence critics once again.
“I've been doubted my whole career," he said.
"With all of the negative things that have been said about Terence Crawford along the way, they never thought that I would be in this place that I am now.
"But I did. It's funny to say, but I have been hearing this my whole career.
'I'm too small for this guy. This guy is too strong. This guy punches too hard. I don't have a chin. Or I am this or I am that.'
"I just take it all in and laugh. People who have negative thoughts of me have never been in the ring before. It doesn't even bother me.
Read More on talkSPORT
“Haters are undercover fans, once I did get my hands on Spence, Shawn Porter, and Kell Brook they said I got them late and bruised up.
"There was always an excuse. Certain groups in boxing thought these guys were going to beat me.”