Supporters are urging Terence Crawford to demonstrate some fortitude and attempt to defend his quartet of championship belts at the 168-pound limit, instead of descending to the 160-pound division, where the challenges might appear less formidable.
Crawford Avoiding the 168-Pound Elite?
Terence (42-0, 31 KOs) is receiving considerable acclaim from fans for his ascent of two weight classes to dethrone the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez, last September 13. It would be commendable if Crawford opted to defend his titles once or twice before potentially venturing into the 160-pound division, which is perceived as having a roster of more manageable opponents.
A Benavidez Bout Would Reveal the Truth
Should Crawford elect to remain at 168, he should engage in a contest with David Benavidez in early 2026, followed by a match against the victor of the Christian Mbilli versus Lester Martinez showdown. This assumes Crawford emerges triumphant against Benavidez.
Crawford’s proponents contend that he doesn’t need to defend the titles since he already defeated the top-ranked fighter in the 168-pound division, Canelo (63-3-2, 39 KOs).
Canelo Established Dominance Through Strategic Choices
However, astute observers of the sport recognize that Alvarez ceased competing against the premier contenders at 168 shortly after claiming the four titles in 2021. He has maintained his position by strategically avoiding these fighters:
- David Benavidez
- Christian Mbilli
- David Morrell
- Lester Martinez
- Osleys Iglesias
- Diego Pacheco
Consequently, Crawford’s victory over Canelo via a 12-round unanimous decision 15 days prior didn’t definitively establish him as the best fighter at 168. It merely demonstrated that he defeated the individual who had artificially preserved his status by opting not to confront the most formidable opponents. In essence, Canelo arguably sidestepped top-tier talent in favor of facing these competitors:
- John Ryder
- Edgar Berlanga
- William Scull
- Jaime Munguia
- Jermell Charlo
- Gennadiy Golovkin
Consider Canelo’s situation as analogous to a King who has safeguarded his reign by raising the drawbridge and refraining from venturing outside the castle, fearing potential attacks from the troops surrounding his domain.
Crawford Now Faces the Task of Justifying His Reign
Now, it falls upon Crawford to prove that he doesn’t share Canelo’s inclination towards avoidance by confronting the top contenders to validate his claim to the throne. There are considerable reservations regarding Crawford, particularly given his narrow victory over Canelo, during which he appeared almost as vulnerable.
The scorecards indicated that Crawford secured the win by rallying late as Canelo’s energy waned. The judges’ scores were 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112. I also viewed the fight as closely contested, scoring it 114-114. In my assessment, Crawford’s late surge was insufficient to secure the victory.
Jeepers Isaac has been reporting on boxing since 2020, providing readers insightful ringside observations and timely commentary on the sport’s key events.
