Trainer Stephen Edwards believes Terrence Crawford has enough size, strength, conditioning and technical skills to move up to 168 and defeat unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
Edwards believes Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) couldn't beat David Benavidez, David Morrell, Artur Beterbiev, or Dmitry Bivol. These guys are too big and too technical for the 37-year-old Crawford. But the 34-year-old Canelo (62-2-2, 39 KOs) is starting to show signs of age, and is beatable for Crawford.
Champion of the weak
Canelo turns 35 on July 18, and has failed to beat his last six opponents. His last knockout came three years ago against Caleb Plant on November 6, 2021.
The Mexican star did not indicate that he would face Crawford, and would not agree to the match unless he felt he could win. His net worth is estimated at $250 million. So, any money Turki Al Sheikh could offer Alvarez wouldn't entice him to fight Crawford unless he wanted to. He's already made enough money to live rich for 20 lives, and can continue to make millions every fight, while facing easy opposition.
“Yes, I think he can get to 168 and fight certain guys. Do I think he can fight Benavidez or Morel? No, they're too big, too skilled, too tall. It's going to be a lot to overcome,” said Stephen Edwards. Fighthypetalks about Terence Crawford being too small to fight Benavidez or Morel at super middleweight.
“Canelo comes from the smaller weights and is the same height as Crawford. I actually think Crawford is a little taller. Crawford's arms are a lot longer, and he's got a much better gas tank. I've never seen Crawford get tired.
“Canelo has let guys off the hook these days, since when he was at his best, he usually stopped them. Now, he's letting them off the hook because he doesn't have that extra boost in his tank. If Bud fights Canelo at 168, Bud will be full of calories, Edwards said. “He will be able to eat whatever he wants to eat at any time of the day.”
Crawford is also getting old, at 37, and nearly lost his debut at 154 to Israel Madrimov on August 3rd. He won't be able to win rounds against Canelo because of the poor shots he was landing against Madrimov. Those punches looked weak compared to when he was fighting at 147, 140 and 135.
The judges will give Canelo the rounds against Crawford, even if he is tired. If Canelo hits much harder, he will win the rounds. Crawford doesn't hit as hard as Jermell Charlo or Erislandy Lara, and those guys excelled in power against Canelo.
Genius at work?
“His energy levels are going to be off the hook. He'll probably step into the ring at 159 or 160 pounds. There's no need to just get to 168 because that's the weight limit. He's got to be quick in that fight,” Edwards said of Crawford.
“I told him (Crawford): That fight I had that night (against Viktor Postol at 140, eight years ago on July 23, 2016), this is the fight that could beat Canelo.” He kind of smiled. I think Bud is a genius, and sometimes, when you're a genius, you don't know you're a genius. He has the ability to make adjustments in battles.”
The fight against Viktor Postol was a long time ago when Crawford was 28 years old. Now 37 years old, he does not look as young, fast or mobile as he did at the Battle of Postol. Crawford has aged. So, comparing this version of Crawford to the version Postol fought to use as an argument for why he should beat Canelo makes no sense. This version of Crawford no longer exists.
That was someone else. If he's a monster hitter like Artur Beterbiev, it won't be a big deal that Crawford isn't as young as he used to be. He is not a big boxer and wins his fights with speed, reflexes and boxing skills. In his current physical condition, it won't be enough to beat Canelo, and the judges won't do him any favors.
“I don't think he can beat guys like Bivol and Beterbiev. I think it's too much, but Canelo,” Edwards said. “He's a great fighter, but my eyes are telling me he's slowing down a little bit. Canelo who fought Berlanga. Three years ago, Canelo knocked out Berlanga. This is not a battle. This is a public execution.
“The fact that he let Berlanga get away. He let Munguia go the distance. He let Charlo go the distance. Bud's movement, conditioning and strength. Bud is a lot stronger than people realize. I'm not saying he's stronger than Canelo. He's strong enough. It's tough,” Edwards said. “It's not a weightlifting competition.”
