As Crawford prepares for this huge step up, his recent opponent Israil Madrimov has some words of caution. The Uzbek fighter, who faced Crawford earlier in 2024, thinks 'Bud' has a real shot - but only if he sticks to what he does best.
Madrimov told Fight Hub TV that Crawford's chances are "50-50" if he comes in under the 168-pound limit and fights his normal style. But he warned that trying to bulk up to match Canelo's size and strength could be a big mistake.
"If Terence is going to be himself and weigh in under the 168 limit and just being himself, I see it as a 50-50 fight," Madrimov said. "But if he's going to gain weight and if he's going to try to compete with Canelo where Canelo is good at and strong, then I see Canelo as a favorite."
Crawford's got a perfect 41-0 record with 31 KOs. He's known for his high boxing IQ, ability to switch stances, and power punching. Madrimov called him "perhaps the highest IQ boxer in the world." But those skills might get canceled out if Crawford packs on too much muscle.
Canelo's no slouch either. The undisputed super middleweight champ can box for 12 rounds and adjust to any opponent. He's used to fighting bigger guys, while this is new territory for Crawford.
The whole boxing world will watch to see how this plays out. Madrimov thinks it's too close to call right now. He said he's not at a stage where he can help Crawford prepare, since their styles are so different.
With the fight just two months away, we'll soon see if Crawford takes Madrimov's advice or tries to bulk up to match Canelo's size. Either way, it's shaping up to be one of the biggest boxing events of the year.