A clash of styles with a lot at stake on the big stage

LAS VEGAS Terence "Bud" Crawford jumped two weight classes to set a career high on the scales at Friday's weigh-in ahead of his super middleweight bout against Mexican superstar Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez.

- JAD EL REDA

CANELO ÁLVAREZ, left, seeks to reaffirm his iconic status while Terence Crawford eyes staying undefeated.

Both fighters weighed in at 167.5 pounds and met all the requirements for a fight that pits two of today's best pound-for-pound against each other boxers Bud and Canelo face off Saturday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (6 p.m., Netflix) in a clash that will define their legacies, test Crawford's undefeated status and determine supremacy in the sport.

For Álvarez, who will celebrate 20 years in the sport in October and compete in his 21st fight in Las Vegas when he faces Crawford, the weigh-in was business as usual for a Mexican star accustomed to competing in the super middleweight class and higher.

Crawford arrived in the same physical condition as the undisputed champion, reflecting the seriousness of his preparation in pursuit of the four belts held by the Jalisco native, as well as a bonus from the World Boxing Council (WBC), which will award a special ring to the winner of the fight.

"I think people completely underestimate me, but that doesn't matter," Crawford said. "We have to fight here on Saturday, and all the answers will be resolved that night." The fighters participated in news conferences during the week that served as a barometer for the atmosphere in Las Vegas, where Álvarez is expected to draw a rowdy crowd during Mexican Independence Day weekend.

"I feel great. For me, this fight means a lot. I'm looking forward to Saturday night," Álvarez said. "This fight is very important to me. It's one of the most important fights of my career. ... This victory will be one of the most important."

Álvarez acknowledged Crawford's physique, with his challenger surprising observers with more defined muscles after gaining weight.