Roy Jones Jr warns Canelo must 'almost have to kill' Terence Crawford ahead of super-fight

Roy Jones Jr. warned Saturday that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will need to stop Terence Crawford to win their matchup at Allegiant Stadium, saying Crawford’s hunger and mindset make him a uniquely dangerous opponent.

Jones, speaking to Daily Mail Sport ahead of the weekend super‑fight, said Crawford — who is unbeaten at 41-0 — has spent the months since his August 2024 unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov preparing his body and his mentality for a shot at the undisputed super‑middleweight champion. "Crawford's hunger benefits him both in camp and in the fight," Jones said. "People don't know, since that fight with Madrimov he's been going home and building his body up for this one against Canelo."

"When he gets to this fight on Saturday night, Canelo is going to have to knock him out — or almost kill him — to win, because he's that motivated to win," Jones added. "He isn't coming to give up anything. Canelo is going to have to knock him out, or you're going to lose."

Jones, a former dominant force in boxing in the 1990s and early 2000s, said Crawford’s pursuit of broader recognition — particularly after his high‑profile victory over Errol Spence — fuels the challenger’s preparation and performance. "He hasn't got the recognition yet," Jones said. "He's only had one fight that people really gave him true recognition for and that was against Errol Spence. He had been hunting for that for five years. He finally got it, but he wants more than that. This is the feeling he's been looking for."

Crawford moved up in weight in August 2024 to junior middleweight for his win over Madrimov. The 41-0 fighter is stepping up again to challenge Alvarez at super‑middleweight in what promoters and pundits have billed as one of the year's biggest fights. Jones described Crawford as "thirsty for that winning energy, that mindset, that being on top of the boxing master," and said the challenger wants to be "the alpha dog."

Alvarez arrives at the fight as the sport's undisputed super‑middleweight champion and a proven multi‑division winner. Over his career, he has fought and defeated notable former champions across weight classes, and his size and experience at higher weights were cited by Jones as potential advantages. Still, Jones warned that physical size could be overcome by Crawford's motivation. "Canelo's the bigger guy, sure," Jones said. "But that won't matter if he can't match Crawford's hunger. If you don't knock him out, you're going to lose."

The matchup at Allegiant Stadium has drawn intense attention for pitting an undefeated American moving up in weight against a Mexican fighter who has held titles across multiple divisions. Promoters have marketed the bout as a generational meeting of styles and records, and Jones' comments underscore the view among some former fighters and analysts that Crawford's drive gives him a legitimate chance despite the step up in weight.

Both fighters enter the ring with contrasting career arcs: Crawford's recent campaign has included a climb through weight classes and a defining win over Spence that raised his profile, while Alvarez's path to undisputed status has involved victories over established champions at higher weights. The outcome Saturday will shape conversations about weight, style, and legacy in contemporary boxing.

Jones' remarks were made in advance of the fight and reflect his assessment of the matchup rather than prediction of a specific result. The bout is scheduled for Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium, where both fighters will face the most consequential test of their recent careers.