Terence Crawford is leaving no detail unchecked as he prepares for a monumental showdown against Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. The highly anticipated bout is set to take place this September at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a fight that fans have been eagerly awaiting since last year.
While Crawford has dominated the welterweight division, facing Canelo in the super middleweight division presents a unique challenge. To compete against the Mexican icon, Crawford must bulk up nearly 13 lbs, a significant leap from his usual weight class.
Crawford has already begun adapting to this new weight category. In a recent Instagram update, the Omaha native revealed he’s hit a career-high 186 lbs, signaling his serious intent to meet the challenge head-on. This transformation has sparked excitement among fans, with many believing Crawford might just achieve the unthinkable. However, skepticism remains, with some questioning whether the weight gain is a calculated move or merely a publicity stunt.
Speaking to Fight Hype during Keyshawn Davis’ victory at Madison Square Garden Theater, Crawford addressed his motivation for taking on such a formidable challenge. “I want to challenge myself,” said the undefeated 41-0 fighter. He also acknowledged Canelo’s legacy, calling him “an all-time great” and “one of the best that came out of Mexico.” Yet, Crawford sees this as an opportunity to cement his own status as one of boxing’s finest. “Big chances, big rewards,” he remarked, highlighting his understanding of the high stakes involved.
From Welterweight champion to Super Middleweight contender
Despite Crawford’s confidence, his weight gain has raised eyebrows within the boxing community. Mikey Garcia, a former four-division world champion, expressed concerns about the strategy during an interview with ES News. Garcia explained that even when fighters move up in weight class, they typically still need to cut weight during training.
“Look everybody, even when you are ‘moving up the weight,’ you are still cutting weight,” he noted. Drawing from his own experience, Garcia revealed that while fighting at welterweight, he walked around at 156-158 lbs during training but fought closer to 120 lbs.
Crawford’s decision to face Canelo is undeniably bold, and his commitment to bulking up reflects his determination. Whether this gamble will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Crawford is embracing the challenge with everything he’s got.
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