Canelo Alvarez has drafted in the help of undefeated former world champion Jaron Ennis to prepare for Terence Crawford.
Alvarez is currently going through the last stages of his training camp to face fellow pound-for-pound star Crawford on September 13.
The undisputed champion already looks in supreme shape and will go into the showdown hugely confident as the favourite, given Crawford will step up 14lbs to challenge Alvarez at 168lbs.
Previously, the Mexican has already been working with Olympian Darrelle Valsaint, in a bid to mirror the quality of ‘Bud’.
But now in even higher quality, Alvarez has been sharing sparring sessions with recent two-belt welterweight king Ennis.
‘Boots’ was spotted in the camp of the modern-era great, as the pair posed for pictures together.
But now new photos have emerged of the pair in action in headgear and trading leather in practice rounds.
Ennis is fantastic preparation, given he possesses a superb level of natural boxing ability and can replicate the technical ability of Crawford.
The American young rising star also has history of his own against Crawford.
Ennis held the IBF interim title at 147lbs in 2023 and was mandatory challenger to his fellow American.
But ‘Bud’ showed no interest in pursuing the clash and was stripped of his title as a result in November of that yera.
Clearly the talented American still holds hopes of fighting Crawford himself, having accused him of deliberately avoiding their clash.
What will happen when Canelo Alvarez faces Terence Crawford?
Alvarez is the natural 168lbs fighter and will hold natural physical size advantages over Crawford.
‘Bud’ has never been beaten in his professional career and is stepping up to the weight after a tough-earned victory over Israil Madrimov last September.
When assessing the chances of Crawford beating Alvarez, the Mexican’s sparring partner believes the fight leans in his favour.
He said: “I think Crawford should take a warmup fight at 160 just to get his body to feel with somebody a little bit bigger.
“You got to lean towards Canelo because he’s been at that weight for a long time. He’s been pinning big guys out.
“Crawford’s a little smaller. Canelo is really not a 168-pounder. He should be at 160, and he’s been hurting these guys. He be dropping these guys.
“These guys be way bigger than him come fight night. I know that for sure.
“They be close to 200 lbs, and he’s dropping those guys like that. It’s going to be a great fight. The fans want to see it, so be it.”