Can Crawford Really Conquer Three Divisions Against a P4P King?

Terence Crawford is in an impossible position going up three weight classes to challenge what fans believe is the true pound-for-pound King, Canelo Alvarez, on September 13th. It’s a size mismatch.

Israil Madrimov Fight: A Warning

Crawford was already physically maxed out in what he was capable of doing with his slender frame, with his weight jumping to 154 against Israil Madrimov last August. That was just one weight division that Bud moved up. He failed that test because he appeared to lose the fight. If one were generous, it could have been scored a draw.

Crawford didn’t stay at 154 long enough to say that he had adapted to the weight class. One fight against the pure boxer, Madrimov, didn’t make Terence a genuine junior middleweight. As such, you have to view him as still a welterweight in size. That means he’s going up three weight classes to challenge the natural super middleweight Canelo.

“Bud is one of those guys that locks in, especially when you doubt him,” said Chris Algieri to Fight Hub TV, discussing his views on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight. “It’s a really interesting match-up. I think of it more psychologically than anything.”

When has anyone doubted Crawford in the past? He’s always been a favorite in his fights up until now. When he fought Errol Spence, fans knew that he was fighting the car crash-wrecked shell.

Size Mismatch: Crawford vs. Canelo

Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) is bigger, stronger, and far more experienced against elite-level opposition than Crawford. The lack of experience by Bud against high-level opposition is something that fans overlook. You have to remember that Crawford was with Top Rank for most of his career and was well taken care of by their matchmakers.

“Terence is going up three weight classes. He had a little bit of problems against [Israil] Madrimov [in moving up one weight class to 154]. On paper, of course, it’s Canelo, but when you think about it from a psychological standpoint, it’s like, I don’t know. Bud is different,” said Algieri.