Boxing authority Abel Sanchez suggests Terence Crawford lacks the necessary physique to overcome the reigning four-belt 168-lb titleholder, Canelo Alvarez, in their potential clash scheduled for September 13th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He postulates that the sheer physical presence of Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) will prove insurmountable for Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs).
The Significance of Canelo’s Physicality
“My assessment is that Crawford’s frame isn’t substantial enough. I also doubt his ability to overpower Canelo,” Abel Sanchez conveyed to Fighthype, highlighting his reservations about Terence Crawford’s size and strength relative to Canelo Alvarez, particularly for their proposed September 13th encounter.
Crawford’s weight gain over the past year has been considerable, leading to a physique that now appears more imposing than Canelo’s. Considering the visible marks on Canelo’s face from sparring sessions with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, it’s plausible that Crawford possesses ample size to challenge him with powerful strikes.
Assessing Crawford’s Resilience to Punches
The primary challenge for Terence might stem from the force of Canelo’s punches. While gaining weight is beneficial, it doesn’t inherently enhance one’s capacity to withstand Canelo’s blows. He hasn’t previously faced an opponent of Alvarez’s stature or power in a professional setting. This revelation comes late in Crawford’s career, as he approaches his 38th birthday on September 28th.
“My prediction leans towards a decision victory for Canelo,” Sanchez stated. “Terence needs to apply relentless pressure. He must maintain constant activity. However, once Canelo begins to exert his force, Terence will be absorbing significant impact. Canelo is a substantial, robust individual. Wherever he connects, he inflicts damage, depleting not only strength but also compromising physical integrity.”
Crawford will undoubtedly aim to minimize Canelo’s direct hits, but achieving victory necessitates engaging in close combat. Simply maneuvering and employing jabs won’t secure a win for Crawford.
The Perils of Direct Confrontation
Engagement is essential, and it’s in these moments that Canelo will seize opportunities to land impactful blows. Crawford’s size, speed, and power are not on par with Canelo’s recent adversary, William Scull. Canelo effectively absorbed Scull’s attacks and countered his speed. Crawford once possessed superior speed in his youth, but it has diminished with age. Currently, he relies on strategic acumen within the ring.
“My hope is for an engaging contest, as the audience anticipates a thrilling fight. I anticipate Canelo’s triumph. In my view, they possess comparable intelligence,” Abel remarked when questioned about which fighter exhibits greater ring intelligence. “Canelo has consistently outmaneuvered his opponents, with the exception of Floyd during his early years [at 22 years old].”
There’s been a tendency to underestimate Canelo’s strategic capabilities leading up to this fight. Much of the discourse centers on Crawford’s ring intelligence, while neglecting Canelo, a surprising oversight given his extensive experience and exposure to higher-caliber opponents.
An Underwhelming Display Against Madrimov
“Terence’s performance against Madrimov wasn’t particularly impressive, was it? Madrimov managed to land several significant blows. Both fighters exhibit intelligence, but I believe the size disparity is the deciding factor,” Abel noted.
Crawford’s performance against former WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov last year, specifically on August 3, 2024, was perceived as underwhelming. The contest was closely contested, potentially warranting a draw or a victory for Madrimov.
