WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames thinks it's “foolish” for the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford to take place at 168 pounds because the Nebraska native hasn't “progressed” by fighting at that weight class.
Celebrity boxing showdown?
Adames believes that Crawford's power is good against fighters in his weight class at 147 pounds, but it won't work against Canelo, who is 20 pounds up at super middleweight at 168. He sparred with Crawford nine years ago when he was 19 years old, and feels he could win if he moves up to 160 pounds.
Crawford doesn't plan to stop at 160 pounds and fight anyone in that division. He plans to fight WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3 and then try to become an undefeated champion by winning other titles after that.
If Turki Alarcik were willing to put the belt on the line against Canelo at 168 pounds, Crawford would be open to it. Crawford has no interest in fighting a super middleweight challenger and then fighting Canelo.
This is further cThese are celebrity-level bouts, such as the one we saw in Riyadh, where former UFC champion Francis Ngannou took on Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in succession in two professional boxing firsts.
Weight class matters
“There’s a reason why weight classes exist, Terence Crawford is a hell of a fighter, there’s no question about that, he’s an agile, powerful fighter, but power like his comes in weight classes. [147] “That bodes well for him,” Carlos Adames told FightHype when asked for his opinion on whether Terence Crawford could move up to 168 pounds super middleweight to beat Canelo Alvarez.
“When I sparred with him [Crawford]I played two professional matches. [in 2015]I was 19 then, like an amateur. If he were to fight me now, over 10 years later, I'm 30 and a grown man. I was a kid then. It would be a totally different situation.
“If we're talking about weight classes, look at what Canelo did to Bivol. He couldn't hurt Bivol at 175 like he did his opponent at 168. Why? Because the weight difference between Bivol and Canelo was so obvious.”
Adames verdict: A “stupid” fight
“Canelo wasn't able to do the damage he wanted to do, so what happens if Terence Crawford comes up to 168 pounds? It's pretty much the same thing. He's not going to hurt Canelo like he would a guy in his weight class.” [welterweight] right now.
“On the other hand, Canelo will have the weight advantage and will be able to hurt Crawford as he always does at 168 pounds. To sum up, I think this fight is completely stupid. I think it makes no sense and if Crawford wants to fight, he should train in stages and fight Canelo at that weight when the time is right,” Adames said.
