Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has recently claimed that watching Terence Crawford’s fight against Ismail Madrimov has made him rethink his previous opinion on whether Crawford could beat unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. De La Hoya initially believed that Crawford’s skill set would be too much for Canelo, even in the 168-pound weight class. However, after observing Crawford struggle against WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov, De La Hoya now believes that Alvarez possesses the necessary size and talent to defeat him.
De La Hoya’s doubts about Crawford’s abilities stem from several factors that were highlighted during the fight against Madrimov. Crawford faced challenges such as a year-long layoff, moving up in weight and age, and a lack of experience against high-level opponents. It is clear that Crawford may have been previously overestimated, with his resume filled with victories against older and lesser opponents. His lack of exposure to top-tier competition raises concerns about his true capabilities as a fighter.
De La Hoya firmly believes in the historical precedence of bigger and more talented fighters prevailing over smaller opponents. He draws from his personal experience of facing Manny Pacquiao when he was past his prime, emphasizing that size and skill often determine the outcome of a fight. This philosophy underpins De La Hoya’s current stance on the potential matchup between Canelo and Crawford, where he predicts that Canelo’s physical advantages would ultimately give him the edge.
While the prospect of a Canelo-Crawford bout remains on the table, significant obstacles stand in the way of its realization. Canelo’s reported $150 million purse demand poses a considerable financial challenge that His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the potential investor, seems hesitant to meet. De La Hoya praises Alalshikh’s efforts to bring high-profile fights to the American audience but acknowledges the complexities involved in negotiating such a lucrative deal. The likelihood of Canelo and Crawford stepping into the ring together seems uncertain at this point.
Terence Crawford’s recent performance against Ismail Madrimov has raised doubts about his ability to defeat Canelo Alvarez. Oscar De La Hoya’s critical assessment of Crawford’s struggles and past opponents sheds light on the challenges that Crawford would face in a potential matchup with the unified super middleweight champion. While the boxing world awaits a possible Canelo-Crawford showdown, the practical and financial considerations surrounding the fight cast a shadow of uncertainty over its realization. It is evident that Crawford may have to address these concerns and prove his capabilities against elite competition before he can be considered a genuine threat to Canelo’s dominance in the ring.