One of the most anticipated potential matchups in the boxing world is Terence Crawford moving up to 168 lbs to challenge Canelo Alvarez for his super middleweight title. This ambitious move has caught the attention of many boxing fans and experts, including Errol Spence Jr. Spence, who previously lost to Crawford, expressed his support for the move, emphasizing the pursuit of greatness in the sport.
Spence believes that if Crawford wants to challenge himself and strive for greatness, he should be given the opportunity to do so. Despite acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties of such a move, Spence admires Crawford’s ambition and determination to test his skills against the best in the business. This endorsement from a fellow elite boxer adds an intriguing dimension to the discussion surrounding Crawford’s potential venture into the super middleweight division.
The central question surrounding Crawford’s move to 168 lbs is whether it is motivated by a genuine quest for greatness or merely financial incentives. Moving up 21 pounds from his last fight at 147 lbs is a significant leap, particularly for a fighter in his late thirties who has not faced opponents of Canelo’s caliber. While Crawford plans on fighting at 154 lbs before potentially challenging Canelo, the weight differential remains a daunting obstacle for the Nebraska native.
Critics argue that Crawford should acclimate himself to the super middleweight division before pursuing a fight with Canelo, rather than viewing it as a one-time opportunity for a big payday. The element of risk involved in facing a dominant force like Canelo cannot be understated, raising doubts about Crawford’s preparedness for such a challenge. The decision to prioritize financial gain over sporting legacy has divided opinions within the boxing community, with some questioning Crawford’s motives behind the move.
Before Crawford can entertain the possibility of facing Canelo, he must first overcome the formidable obstacle of WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov. Scheduled to fight Madrimov on August 3rd, Crawford faces a formidable opponent who poses a significant threat due to his youth, power, and active fighting schedule. At 37 years old, with a prolonged period of inactivity, Crawford’s physical condition and readiness for a new weight class are under scrutiny.
Madrimov, a talented 29-year-old boxer with an impressive record, represents a stern test for Crawford, who must prove his mettle against a rising star in the sport. The combination of age, ring rust, and adjusting to a higher weight class presents a challenging scenario for Crawford, raising concerns about his ability to navigate through these obstacles successfully. The outcome of the fight against Madrimov will serve as a litmus test for Crawford’s prospects of facing Canelo in the future.
Terence Crawford’s ambitious move to challenge Canelo Alvarez at 168 lbs signifies a bold step in his career trajectory. While receiving support from his peers like Errol Spence Jr., Crawford faces a myriad of challenges, including weight disparity, age factors, and formidable opponents like Israil Madrimov. The outcome of these upcoming fights will determine the feasibility of Crawford’s aspiration to become a super middleweight contender, thereby shaping the narrative of his legacy in the sport of boxing.