What Gains A Man?

The “Why” and Why Not” of Canelo vs Crawford: Article By: John Green

The boxing community is buzzing with speculation about a potential showdown between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, but opinions are divided. This past weekend, while Canelo successfully defended his titles against Edgar Berlanga, Crawford and Turki Alalshikh were spotted at UFC 306, with Crawford calling out Canelo on social media. Alalshikh, who backed the UFC event on the same night as Canelo’s, appeared to be attempting to rival Alvarez’s star power, though the boxing event seems to have drawn more attention.

Canelo, however, was noticeably silent on the possibility of a fight with Crawford, offering only a stern “No comment” when asked. This has led many to question whether the fight will ever happen and if it even makes sense for both fighters. The potential match poses significant risks for Canelo, as he stands to lose much more than Crawford, who could gain significantly by moving up in weight for the fight. Canelo, having fought in higher weight classes and held a long-established legacy, would face all the pressure in such a matchup, while Crawford could enter as the underdog with everything to gain​.

Canelo’s reluctance to discuss the possibility has left fans wondering if the fight will be a reality, or if it’s simply a fantasy match that won’t materialize. While Turki Alalshikh seems keen on promoting the fight, Canelo’s team has other options, including high-profile opponents like Dmitry Bivol or David Benavidez​.

Meanwhile, Crawford has expressed his desire for legacy-defining fights, and a bout with Canelo would certainly fit that mold, but the logistics and weight differences make it a long shot.

Why This Fight Makes Sense (The “Why”)

1. Legacy and Greatness for Crawford:
   • Moving Up in Weight: A fight against Canelo would allow Terence Crawford to solidify his legacy by conquering a higher weight class. Crawford has already dominated multiple divisions, and moving up to 168 pounds would showcase his ability to challenge the best outside his comfort zone.
   • Underdog Factor: Being the smaller fighter, Crawford would enter the bout as the underdog, giving him everything to gain and little to lose. A victory against Canelo would put him in the conversation as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time.
   • Canelo’s Global Audience: A fight with Canelo would introduce Crawford to a wider audience. Canelo is a global superstar, and Crawford, despite his success, hasn’t yet reached the same level of mainstream popularity. The exposure from this bout would be massive.
2. Financial Incentive:
   • Monetary Gain: Financially, this fight is a no-brainer for Crawford. A single fight with Canelo would likely net Crawford more money than several bouts combined in his current weight class. The payday could rival some of the largest in boxing history, similar to the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao payday.
3. Fans’ Curiosity:
   • Cross-Division Showdown: Fans are intrigued by a potential fight between two pound-for-pound greats from different divisions. Historically, cross-division matchups generate massive interest for example (Errol Spence Jr. vs. Mikey Garcia), simply because they don’t happen often. A fight like this would attract not just boxing fans but general sports fans as well.

Why This Fight Doesn’t Make Sense (The “Why Not”)

1. Weight Discrepancy:
   • Jumping Up Two Weight Classes: Terence Crawford currently fights at 147–154 lbs, whereas Canelo is settled at 168 lbs. Moving up two divisions would put Crawford at a significant physical disadvantage. Canelo is not just fighting at super middleweight—he has campaigned at light heavyweight, too, and his natural weight and power could be overwhelming for Crawford​.
   • Statistical Differences: Canelo has shown he can handle bigger, stronger fighters at 175 pounds, while Crawford has yet to prove his ability at weights beyond 154 lbs. The size, strength, and durability difference between the two could make this a one-sided contest in favor of Canelo​.
2. Risk for Canelo:
   • Low Reward, High Risk: While Crawford has everything to gain, Canelo stands to lose a lot, even if he wins. If Canelo wins, critics may say he defeated a smaller fighter. If he loses, it would tarnish his legacy, as he would have lost to a smaller fighter moving up in weight. Essentially, there is little legacy-building potential for Canelo in this matchup​.
   • Other Options: Canelo has high-profile options already available at 168 lbs and above, including a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, a fight with David Benavidez, or even an undisputed title bout at light heavyweight. These fights offer more legacy and competitive value compared to a bout with Crawford​.
3. Competitive Imbalance:
   • Style and Power Differences: Crawford is known for his technical ability, but the power difference at 168 could be too much. Canelo is one of the hardest punchers at super middleweight, and Crawford would have to rely heavily on speed and movement to avoid Canelo’s power punches—a risky proposition at such a high weight​.
   • Canelo’s Physical Edge: While Crawford has shown adaptability, Canelo has faced fighters with more power and size, such as Gennady Golovkin and Sergey Kovalev. It’s uncertain if Crawford’s precision and movement would be enough to overcome Canelo’s brute strength and durability​.

Conclusion: The Fans’ Perspective

The potential Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez fight is a classic case of intrigue over practicality. On one hand, it’s a fantasy matchup between two of boxing’s best, but on the other hand, the physical and competitive realities make the fight less appealing to purists. While Crawford would gain immensely from this bout in terms of legacy and finances, Canelo carries most of the risk with little reward, making it unclear if this fight will ever materialize. The fans’ curiosity, however, continues to fuel the conversation, and in the world of boxing, anything is possible if the money is right.