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The potential mega-fight between pound-for-pound stars Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is a matchup that will generate a lot of interest from fans if the fight takes place in December as HE Turki Alalshih hopes.
What some fans don't take into account is the size difference between the two. Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) began his career in the lower divisions at 135 pounds and is now preparing for his fourth division at 154, a division he has never fought in.
So for Crawford to have one fight at 154 against WBA champion Israil Madrimov and then skip 160 without even fighting there and go straight to 168 might be a step too far.
We've seen Crawford look uncomfortable in front of the power of Kell Brook, David Avanesyan and Egidius Kavaliauskas. It will be much worse when/if he fights Canelo.
The thing is, we don't know if Crawford will get this point because he could get knocked out by Madrimov, who is a huge puncher and stronger than anyone Terence has fought before. Crawford will have to mix it up with this guy because a boring fight will hurt his chances of fighting Canelo.
Size factor
“You would think that would be a question mark that you would put in a conversation about the size difference, which is certainly glaring,” analyst Paulie Malignaggi said on the Probox TV YouTube channel about the size difference between the four-belt champion in super middleweight champions Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
“Also, the fact that Crawford hasn’t really had those fights in the higher weight classes because of the size difference, and Canelo is in a weight class that already has a lot of talent. Crawford-Canelo.”
The size difference will be a big problem for Crawford because he didn't take the punches Canelo threw at him. Here's another problem: If Crawford bulks up, which he will have to do, it will slow him down and likely affect his stamina. A slower Crawford will be easier to hit, and it won't do any good if Canelo beats him up all night.
“Why not do Crawford and Zurdo Ramirez. Why not? Why stop at super middleweight? Let's go all the way up. Either way, he’s (Crawford) No. 1 in the weight class,” Malignaggi said.
“Crawford has jumped three weight classes. He hasn't fought in three of those weight classes. 154, 160 and 168. He has three weight classes to move up to that he hasn’t gotten to yet,” boxing expert Chris Algieri said. “He’ll be fighting at 154 pounds this summer, but that’s a big weight.”
We don't know what the real reason is for Crawford to fight Canelo. Maybe he's just doing it for the paycheck, which is what many fans believe is why Jermell Charlo wanted to fight Canelo.
If it's just money, Crawford can just make a token effort, get his big paycheck, and then retire. That's why His Excellency and Canelo should insist that Crawford show up at 168 pounds first to show he's serious and not just looking for money.
Moreover, it is about fairness. It's unfair to all the contenders who are trying their best to get a fight with Canelo only to see Crawford jump three weight classes and beat them to a title shot. This is not sporting. It's in the spirit of celebrity or business, and it's a joke on sports.
Crawford's Gambling
“You have something to lose. You're fighting someone significantly bigger than you in three weight classes above you. You can always get hurt,” Algieri said of Crawford.
“Terence Crawford is fighting in his fourth weight class. If he remains undefeated and can unite 154 people, he will retire the best fighter who ever lived.”
If Crawford loses, he'll be fine because he'll make all this money and that's what he seems to care about. He didn't want to fight Jaron “Botts” Ennis because he didn't bring anything to the table. in terms of money. Crawford is only in it for the money, so it doesn't matter if he loses.
Money is the name of the game, so he needs to be made to earn it by fighting these three guys to have a chance to beat Canelo.
- David Morrell
- David Benavidez
- Caleb Plant
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