Terence Crawford says he’s not fascinated by making an attempt to turn into the undisputed champion at 154 after his combat in opposition to celebrity Canelo Alvarez on September thirteenth. That’s not a shock, although, as a result of Crawford hit his ceiling along with his combat in opposition to former WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov final summer time on August third.
That combat confirmed that Crawford couldn’t combat higher than that, and he would seemingly lose to different fighters within the 154-lb division. With minor tweaks in his recreation, Madrimov would have his quantity in a rematch. It will be a tragic approach for Terence to go, dropping repeatedly to the predatory sharks within the division. They might feed on him.
The 154 Minefield
The previous four-division world champion Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) feels that he wouldn’t obtain credit score for beating the present champions Bakhram Muratazaliev [IBF] and Sebastian Fundora [WBC and WBO] as a result of they’re both not recognized by followers or have been overwhelmed already.
Crawford would turn into a three-division undisputed champion by defeating the 2 remaining champions at 154. Nonetheless, it will be robust for a slight 38-year-old to perform that job, primarily if he sticks to his once-a-year schedule.
It will imply Crawford preventing the highly effective puncher Murtazaliev and the 6’5″ Fundora at age 39 or 40. It doesn’t matter how good Crawford as soon as was; making an attempt these youthful, taller, stronger, and extra lively fighters at that age wouldn’t be good for the Nebraska native. Crawford is aware of what he’s up in opposition to.
So, he’s saying he received’t even attempt to turn into an undisputed champion. His probabilities of success are slim, and it will be a brutal approach for Crawford to undergo his first profession defeat by getting knocked out by Murtazaliev, who’s deadly with both hand. It may very well be an entire mismatch.
If Crawford focuses on legacy and cash when he returns to 154, a combat in opposition to Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis can be the way in which to go. Each would nonetheless be perilous fights for Crawford as a result of his age. If he chooses to take a one-year layoff after the Canelo combat, he’d be preventing one in all them at 39. That ain’t good if it’s Vergil Jr.
The tempo, excessive output, and heavy artillery Vergil Jr. can be dropping on Crawford would make it close to unattainable for him to take for lengthy with out crumbling or being pressured to flee. He obtained fortunate with the scoring for the Israil Madrimov combat, however Crawford isn’t going to maintain being given selections in fights that he’s getting out-slugged.
Madrimov’s Lesson
If ‘Little GGG’ Madrimov had been extra fashionable, he’d have received that combat as a result of he had landed the extra brutal, cleaner pictures on Crawford. Simply think about what Vergil Ortiz Jr would do to him. It will be Madrimov 2.0.
“I felt stronger than him. I felt I punched more durable than him. I felt I damage him many occasions within the combat,” mentioned Terence Crawford to Cigar Discuss his combat in opposition to Israil Madrimov final yr on August third.
Crawford sounds delusional right here. Israil ‘Little GGG’ Madrimov was the larger puncher, and he made it look straightforward with the way in which he was snapping Crawford’s head again all evening with laborious pictures.
Madrimov landed the cleaner, more durable pictures and clearly deserved the win, however the judges gave him the B-side therapy. Crawford’s face seemed extra beat up on the finish. There have been no cases of Madrimov being damage within the combat. I’m simply questioning if age is beginning to catch as much as Crawford, which is inflicting him points along with his reminiscence. He could also be pondering of one other combat.
“I felt he got here ready, he was prepared, and he fought a very good combat. He was awkward; he was affected person. He was decided. He caught to his recreation plan, and he did what he needed to do to make it to the final bell,” mentioned Crawford, making a narrative that Madrimov needed to survive in opposition to him, which screams ego-protective.
No Undisputed Run
“In no way, as a result of I’m wanting on the panorama of the 154-lb division. There are loads of nice fighters, however there usually are not loads of defining fights at 154. There’s not loads of legacy fights at 154,” mentioned Crawford, making it clear he has no real interest in changing into undisputed at 154.
“After I take a look at the panorama at 154. Bakhram. Individuals are going to say, ‘Who’s Bakhram?’ He knocked out Tim Tszyu, who already had a loss.
“Fundora has already been knocked out. All through my profession, individuals have taken credit score away from me to attempt to diminish my accomplishments,” mentioned Crawford.
Boxing Information 24 » Crawford’s 154-Pound Future in Doubt After Canelo Struggle, Undisputed Run Unlikely
Final Up to date on 02/18/2025
