Two of the biggest superstars in the sport of boxing will face off for Canelo’s undisputed super middleweight title on September 13th in Las Vegas. A fantasy matchup many considered unlikely that was multiple years in the making. The possibility of it paired with its mixed opinions echoing though boxing forums and social media platforms before it’s official inception. Crawford (41-0, 31 KO’s) will be moving up two weight classes to face Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) meaning Crawford will go from 154 pounds to 168 pounds.
Whether a game Crawford can overcome both challenges of the added weight and Canelo remains to be seen, the weight class difference by far is one of the biggest criticisms of this fight, both by fans and those involved in the sport.
History Weighs Heavy
Boxing is a sport of history tending to repeat itself, when a naturally smaller fighter moves up significantly in weight to face a bigger opponent, the odds are rarely in their favor, though rare exceptions exist. Will Crawford be added to the sport of boxing’s history book of jumps in division gone wrong?
A Divided Debate
Crawford is an exceptional fighter with the resume to back it, 0 intact and becoming 2x undisputed in two different weight classes; at light welterweight and welterweight respectively. Even so, whether Crawford’s skills will be enough to overcome the weight difference, is a question full of speculation, and varying takes abound. The boxing world ablaze on who the potential victor will be. Fan predictions aside, Crawford‘s last fight 10 months ago was a unanimous victory over Madrimov, in who many believed Crawford looked lackluster against, but Crawford isn’t the only one who hasn’t looked his best.
A Fading Legend
There’s no question Canelo has slowed down recently, lost a step as many would say. He is not the highlight worthy slick fighter he used to be, resorting to his neutral high guard more often than not, compared to an earlier version of Canelo that had catlike reflexes and would slip punches like he had a sixth sense.
An Opportunity?
This is potentially where many boxing fans believe Crawford can capitalize and earn the victory over a fading Canelo, despite Crawford looking like he struggled at 154 pounds against Madrimov. But this is pure speculation, Crawford can potentially look worse at 168 pounds against Canelo, and Canelo as we’ve seen evidenced in previous fights has an imposing star power that intimidates and commands respect. His opponents tend to be star struck and resort to surviving, as we saw against the likes of Berlanga, Charlo, and most recently against Scull who downright refused to engage, turning the matchup into an episode of dancing with the stars to an unequivocally frustrated Canelo.
Fighting His Own Way
Can Crawford overcome Canelo’s star power and command respect of his own, or will he resort to getting on his bicycle and cycling all the way home with the first loss on his record?
Turki Alalshikh has mentioned he can no longer support Tom and Jerry esque fights where one fighter runs around and the other simply chases. To this Crawford responded:
“However I got to fight, I’m going to win. I’m not going to let somebody else force me or tell me how to fight when I’ve been fighting my whole life”
We can safely assume Crawford will not be standing toe to toe with Canelo and will fight as he pleases despite Turki’s best wishes for the sport and this fight. Canelo’s low output counterpunching style against a potentially highly-mobile Crawford is a fight that could leave fight fans disappointed.
Canelo’s “Retirement Tour”
Canelo has also been criticized recently for what many call his “retirement tour” at the tail end of his career. He has chosen one easy fight after another, totaling 5 overall in the past two years in what many considered glorified sparring sessions against lesser opposition. This fight against Crawford for many only deepens the criticism of his ongoing retirement tour facing off against a man who as impressive as he is technically speaking, is not a 168-pound fighter.
Legacy on the Line
Ultimately this fight may or may not live up to the hype, for Canelo it’s potentially a chance to earn what could be an easy victory over elite opposition in his continuing retirement tour. For Crawford and for what many boxing fans are hoping for, it’s a daring leap to be great, a gamble to be celebrated as one of boxing’s all-time greats and 3x undisputed in three separate weight classes, or serve as an added cautionary tale into boxing’s extensive history.
The Fight of the Century
The biggest fight In the sport of boxing, Canelo Vs Crawford will be streaming on Netflix to all subscribers. Needless to say if Paul vs Tyson was any indication as to the casual viewership Netflix can draw, the world will be watching.