Followers on X collectively say Terence Crawford would don’t have any likelihood in opposition to Canelo Alvarez at 168 after his lackluster efficiency beating Israil Madrimov at 154 final evening in Los Angeles.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) appeared slower from weight achieve, confirmed little energy, marked up round his proper eye, and didn’t have the identical dominating presence as he’d proven throughout his five-year reign at 147 from 2018 to 2023.
Comparisons to Jermell Charlo
A 12 months in the past, former undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo moved up from 154 to 168 to combat Canelo and was overmatched in energy and dimension, shedding a one-sided determination.
Jermall was youthful, stronger, and extra explosive than the 36-year-old Crawford. He was not aggressive in opposition to Canelo. Crawford lacks the bodily instruments to combat at 168 in opposition to a expertise like Canelo, and it wouldn’t be honest to the boxing public to see such a poor matchup with a predictable final result.
It will be a cash seize and supply little worth to the followers except the undercard was staked with expertise like we noticed final evening. Given how giant the purses could be for Crawford and Canelo, it’s unlikely that His Excellency Turki Alalshikh might afford to bundle the celebrity-esque combat with an excellent undercard.
Crawford’s Controversial Choice Provides to Doubt
Many followers noticed Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) successful and felt that was a textbook instance of a preferred fighter, Crawford, being given an unjust determination. There’s no dispute that Madrimov landed the more durable, extra eye-catching pictures in most rounds.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh will determine whether or not Crawford faces Canelo subsequent within the first quarter of 2025. He’s acquired the cash to encourage Canelo to take that combat, however it’s going to require a hefty provide for him to perform that.
Canelo isn’t enthusiastic about combating an ageing 37-year-old Crawford, particularly after his mediocre efficiency. It will be a distinct story if Crawford moved up first to 168 and beat somebody, however he repeatedly stated he needs the Canelo title shot for the cash and legacy. In different phrases, Crawford needs a straight title shot in opposition to Canelo in his first combat at 168.
Eddie Hearn’s view
“He can’t combat at 168. Canelo would mow proper by way of him,” stated Eddie Hearn to the Stomping Grounds channel on Terence Crawford, missing the expertise to maneuver up two weight divisions to combat tremendous middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez following the struggles he had final Saturday evening in opposition to WBA Junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov.
Crawford is an excessive amount of of a pure boxer within the Mayweather mould and doesn’t throw sufficient punches to have an opportunity of beating Canelo Alvarez at 168.
Transferring as much as 154 slowed Crawford down, however going up an extra two divisions to 168 would additional diminish his pace. It’s what you all the time see when a fighter packs on weight. They’re slower, simply drained, and don’t throw as a lot. We noticed that with
“He ought to attempt to combat the massive names at 154. Ortiz or Boots, however he don’t beat Boots on that efficiency,” Hearn continued about Crawford. “It was a tactical combat [Crawford vs. Madrimov], a little bit of a chess matching.”
Crawford didn’t wish to admit after the combat that he acquired fortunate, because the three judges gave him a questionable victory over Madrimov. He misplaced within the public’s eyes; they’re the deciders, not the judges. They know the way the game is run and don’t belief judges to determine winners.
“He is aware of that man misplaced, so does his staff, and so does he,” stated Crawford, speaking on the post-fight press convention in response to being advised that Israil Madrimov thought he gained.
Followers decide who wins a combat, they usually didn’t see Crawford because the winner, which harm his reputation as a result of he didn’t shine for the primary time.
