Boxing coach Stephen Edwards suggests Terence Crawford might face considerable obstacles in a potential match against David Benavidez. He expresses uncertainty about how Crawford could counter Benavidez’s (30-0, 24 KOs) substantial build, swiftness, strength, relentless pace, and relative youth. Edwards believes Crawford’s (42-0, 31 KOs) encounter with Canelo Alvarez would present a different set of challenges.
Benavidez’s Edge in Physical Attributes
Turki Alalshikh has already alluded to this possibility following Crawford’s victory over Canelo last Saturday. Many boxing enthusiasts would be keen to witness this fight, possibly the most significant challenge for Crawford after his triumph over Canelo.
“At 168, Benavidez might be the one. That’s a difficult match for Bud. I’m not sure Bud can overcome that. It’s a different scenario. It’s a lot to deal with,” Stephen Edwards told MillCity Boxing, discussing the potential challenges Crawford would face against Benavidez.
This fight would be exceptionally demanding for Crawford. Even with Benavidez weakened from cutting down to 168 pounds, the size, speed, power, youth, and persistent pressure would still pose a major threat. Benavidez would not provide any respite, nor would he fatigue as Canelo did in the later rounds.
“Benavidez’s height, reach, and speed, combined with his relentless approach, are significant advantages. His stamina is noteworthy, as he tends to gain strength as the fight progresses. Crawford’s advantages against Canelo would not be as pronounced against Benavidez,” Edwards commented.
Questions Around Crawford’s Evasive Tactics
Crawford facing Benavidez could turn into a difficult situation, and possibly even more so for Turki Alalshikh if the match resembles a cat-and-mouse game with Crawford evading throughout the night. He employed a considerable amount of movement against Canelo, which made parts of the fight less engaging.
It was considered one of the less exciting bouts on the card, largely attributed to Crawford’s approach. Despite being paid $50 million by Turki, his performance had a cat-and-mouse quality. A fight against Benavidez would likely be much more challenging. Crawford may lack the youth, size, and attacking capabilities to contend with the 28-year-old Benavidez.
“The key question is whether Benavidez can successfully make the weight. He would need to drop back down to 168 pounds,” Stephen noted.
I believe Benavidez is capable of making the weight for a fight against Crawford at 168, provided the financial incentive is substantial enough to motivate him to endure the weight cut. The only potential obstacle to this fight is Crawford himself. He seems hesitant and has expressed concerns about Benavidez’s size in an interview featured on Stephan A. Smith’s YouTube channel.
