Terence Crawford wants to move up two weight divisions to face Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. The Nebraska fighter has set his sights on the biggest challenge in boxing today.
Crawford, a four-weight world champion, currently competes at super-welterweight. He's looking to jump all the way to super-middleweight where Canelo has made himself comfortable. Alvarez, also a four-weight champion, has fought 66 times as a professional. He's only been knocked down once and lost twice.
Some people think 'Bud' has the skills to pull off one of the most impressive victories in modern boxing. Others feel packing on 14 more pounds to face Alvarez is the wrong move.
Juan Manuel Marquez, a Mexican fighting legend and four-division world champion himself, strongly advises against the fight. In an interview with YouTube channel TV Boxing, Marquez explained his concerns:
"I think it's no good Terence Crawford looking for the fight with Canelo, because Canelo is bigger than him, three divisions, right now two as Crawford fought at 154, so two divisions but I think the experience and the power, the weight is an advantage for Canelo. I think Crawford is a good fighter, you are the best in your division but when you go to fight in another division maybe you lose the fight because you lose the power if you go up to another division. I think he is a good fighter but 168lbs is too big for him. That's 168 on the scale, what happens the next day when Canelo makes more weight, maybe 20lbs, Canelo will be fighting at 185, and Crawford maybe 168, 170, this is the difference, who has the power? Canelo. It would be a good fight but I don't think it's good for Crawford. For me, I don't like to see the fight."
Crawford isn't deterred by the criticism. Many in the sport feel it's the only fight on his mind. There's even talk that Crawford might retire if Canelo looks elsewhere for an opponent.
The potential matchup between Crawford and Canelo continues to generate discussion in the boxing world. Fans and experts alike are weighing in on whether Crawford's skill can overcome the significant size and power advantage Canelo would bring to the ring.
