Terence Crawford uses own exceptional career statistic to hit back at late Canelo Alvarez fight fears
Terence Crawford is confident that question marks over his 'chin' are irrelevant going into his mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez.
'Bud' is preparing for the test of his life, as he has piled on 14lbs to reach super-middleweight to challenge Alvarez for his undisputed titles on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Crawford looks in fantastic shape having adapted to a bigger and bulkier physique in training camp, but will still give away natural size advantages to the Mexican.
As a result, natural last-minute doubts over how he will cope with more powerful shots from a bigger fighter in Alvarez have cropped up on fight week.
That has been stirred up by former sparring partner Fernando Vargas Jr, who believes Crawford is unlikely to withstand the champion's best power punches.
But during a media day press conference, Crawford has merely pointed out he has never been dropped in his 42-fight professional career so far.
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And he doesn't expect that his first tasting of the canvas will come against Alvarez.
He responded: "Hey, listen. I haven't never been down yet in my professional career, so they can question it all they want.
"Have I been hurt? Yes, I have. Has he been hurt? Yes, he has, you know, it is what it is. Let's just figure it out on the night."
Crawford has faced adversity in the ring, but has managed to come through it during his dominant run in the lower weight classes.
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The American was rocked by power punching Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2014, but came through to score a stoppage of his own.
Meanwhile against Egidijus Kavaliauskas five years later, Crawford was shattered with a punch which many argued was worthy of being scored as the first knockdown of his career.
But ultimately it wasn't given by the referee which saw him go on to beat 'Mean Machine' and his remarkable defensive record remains.
Terence Crawford's preparations to face Canelo Alvarez
Despite fears over his size and chin, Crawford has done all he can to try and give himself the best opportunity of making history.
The gifted talent has also been sparring a series of super-middleweights to prepare for his giant leap-up.
Further fears were expressed over his ability to step up in weight after his struggling win over Israil Madrimov in his outing last August where he conquered the 154lbs division.
But 'Bud' has successfully piled on weight and has flexed his incredible physique, emphatically shutting down concerns over his ability to add on mass.
And although many have suggested he will lose his speed and hasn't filled out well, Crawford isn't so sure.
He added: "I'm at my natural weight. Me me bulking up, a lot of people are taking it too far in that.
"'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.
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"I really don't care if he's bigger or if I'm bigger, we still got to fight."
The huge event promises to be career-defining for Crawford, who has even suggested he could retire if he upsets the odds and beats Alvarez.