Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford - Eddie Hearn reveals change of heart over super-bout winner

Eddie Hearn has backed Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to defeat Terence Crawford in their Las Vegas bout, despite admitting he originally thought the American would win.

The pair meet in a blockbuster encounter at Allegiant Stadium this weekend, as the veteran Mexican faces his challenger for the undisputed super-middleweight crown.

Across two lengthy professional careers, both men have emerged as generational pound-for-pound greats, but Crawford has stepped up two divisions to make the fight.

Matchroom boss Hearn admits that time spent with 'Bud' had him on side before Canelo's bout with William Scull, but has since changed his tune as the clash grows near.

"I've been going backwards and forwards," he told DAZN News on a media round table. "I flew from Times Square to Riyadh with Crawford, and he was so convincing.

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"He's not a bluff merchant. He's so confident. He's got probably one of the best IQs in boxing. I watched Canelo fight Scull and I fought he looked old.

"After that trip, I thought Crawford was going to win. But then, just as it's gone on and people have told me that Canelo has put a big focus into camp

"Then you think about the inactivity for Crawford, and the rumours of a shoulder injury. The fact that it is his first fight up at 168lbs... I'm going for Canelo."

Hearn will not be stateside for the encounter, with Matchroom's own world title fight unfolding in Belfast today as Lewis Crocker faces Paddy Donovan live on DAZN.

The pair headline Windsor Park in a major rematch following their first clash in March, this time with added stakes of the IBF welterweight title on the line for the victor.

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Watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II on DAZN

Watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II, plus the whole undercard from Belfast's Windsor Park, with a DAZN subscription this September.

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