David Benavidez anticipates an improved performance from Canelo Alvarez should he face Terence Crawford in a return match. Given how tight the official scorecards were in their first contest, claiming just a pair of close swing rounds could tilt the final decision in Canelo’s favor. Nevertheless, closing the distance on the inside continues to be his primary challenge.
Benavidez referenced Canelo’s second bout against Gennadiy Golovkin, in which the Mexican star held his ground in the center of the ring and aggressively engaged GGG. According to Benavidez, Canelo possesses the strategic discipline required to implement that exact correction now that he has experienced Crawford’s rhythm firsthand.
“I feel Canelo executes better next time. Though I don’t see him stopping Crawford in there. It should end up as a competitive bout,” Benavidez told Fight Hub TV.
Executing that same tactical adjustment against Crawford, however, introduces a vastly more complex technical problem. Golovkin advanced along predictable, linear paths, enabling Canelo to set his feet and exchange power shots. In contrast, Crawford relies on incessant lateral motion, shifting stance angles, and swift escapes. Crawford dictates distance using a sharp jab alongside nimble footwork. Canelo repeatedly absorbed lead jabs as he pursued him, only to hit empty air whenever he tried to counter with heavy hooks.
Reckless forward pressure will play straight into Crawford’s hands. Should Canelo resort to basic pursuit, Crawford will simply maneuver around him, land his lead hand, and slide out of range. To succeed, Canelo needs to cut off the canvas using disciplined lateral footwork, step across Crawford’s lead foot to block his escape routes, and target Crawford’s body and arms to sap his legs. Since Crawford already understands how Canelo tries to close space, he will be prepared to land check hooks and short counters as soon as Canelo commits forward.
That discrepancy in reach produces an optical illusion leading observers to think Canelo was merely pacing himself, whereas Crawford actually offered him zero openings to attack. Canelo possesses a 70.5-inch reach compared to Crawford’s 74 inches. That four-inch deficit grows significantly wider in practice because Crawford fights long, leans back, and controls distance behind a southpaw jab.
Crawford saw no incentive to exchange inside when he could easily pick off points from a distance, step back, and accumulate rounds on the outside. While this approach resulted in extended lulls in action, fighting conservatively was pure self-preservation from Crawford’s perspective. If a shorter-reached fighter can only inflict damage inside the phone booth, you never step inside that booth.
Whenever Canelo attempted to launch an attack, his strikes landed where Crawford had been a split second prior. Counter-punchers with shorter reach depend on their opponents committing to combinations to uncover openings. Crawford instead fired single shots, refused to stay stationary, and treated the center of the ring like a minefield.
Until someone figures out how to force Crawford to plant his feet without walking into a counter jab on the way in, Crawford will execute that exact same movement-heavy, safety-first game plan every single time.
Securing financial backing for a second clash presents an additional hurdle. In the absence of guaranteed Riyadh Season funding, organizing a rematch hinges on a major broadcasting network stepping up to cover both fighters’ substantial purse demands. Platforms like DAZN or Netflix might explore the option, though committing to nine-figure payouts in an unpredictable market remains a tough sell.
Benavidez foresees a path for Canelo to refine his tactics during the early rounds. Conversely, Crawford simply needs to stick to his movement, keep his jab active, and force Canelo to swing at air.
