Terence Crawford has laughed off claims that he is out of shape ahead of his blockbuster clash with Canelo Alvarez, insisting he feels strong and comfortable at his new weight.

The unbeaten American, 37, steps up two divisions to challenge the undisputed super-middleweight champion in Las Vegas on Saturday night, moving from welterweight to 168lbs for what is widely billed as the biggest test of his career.

Crawford has showcased a chiselled physique throughout fight week, but questions about his size surfaced after UFC star Ilia Topuria posted an older photo of the pair in which the boxer looked noticeably fuller.

The image quickly sparked speculation that Crawford had piled on too much weight in his bid to meet the super-middleweight limit.

Terence Crawford is in good shape as he prepares for the biggest fight of his boxing career against Canelo Alvarez

Speaking at the Grand Arrivals in Las Vegas, Crawford shrugged off the criticism.

“I’m at my natural weight,” he said. “Me bulking up, a lot of people are taking it too far.

"‘Oh, he’s slow, he’s bulked up this and that and he’s fat.’ I mean, I don’t care about all that. I just wanna fight.”

Canelo, 35, is no stranger to moving through weight classes himself, having collected world titles from 154lbs up to 175lbs.

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Asked about his rival’s physical transformation, the Mexican champion was unconcerned.

“Muscles for me doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “I fought before with bigger guys and it means nothing.

"But you know, when I saw that you realise he made a good training camp and that made me happy because it’s going to be a good fight.”

The pair came face to face outside the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas earlier this week, with little obvious size difference despite Crawford beginning his career as a lightweight at 135lbs.

Terence Crawford isn't worried about the threat of Canelo Alvarez as their seismic boxing showdown creeps closer

“I really don’t care if he’s bigger or if I’m bigger, we still got to fight,” Crawford said.

“Come fight night, that’s the only thing I’m worried about or thinking about. I’m just waiting, counting the days down.”

Crawford’s critics have also raised doubts about his ability to take a punch at the higher weight, pointing out that he has admitted being hurt by smaller opponents in the past.

But the American was quick to push back on suggestions that his chin may be vulnerable.

“Hey, listen. I ain’t never been down yet, so they can question it all they want,” he said.

“Have I been hurt? Yes, I have. Has he been hurt? Yes, he has. You know, it is what it is. Let’s figure it out.”

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez will do battle in Las Vegas with millions of boxing fans from around the world poised to tune in

The fight pits two of boxing’s pound-for-pound elites against each other, with Crawford defending his perfect record and Canelo aiming to extend his dominance at 168lbs.

For Crawford, who unified the welterweight division in 2023, the bout represents both a legacy-defining challenge and the chance to prove he belongs among the greats across multiple divisions.