Coach Ronnie Shields recommends that Terence Crawford forget to hold on to his four super -middleweight belts and defend them against the young contenders in the division. Shield mentions that the contenders at 168 have too much youth and ‘power’ for the 38-ish Crawford.
Avoid the young lions
Ronnie says he would like to see Crawford (42-0, 31 COs) move to 160, as he recently spoke, and won a world title in that weight class. It would be Terence’s sixth division world championships if he pulled it out.
If you decline in weight, it will send a message to fans that Crawford does not have the courage to stay at 168 after beating the faded Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2025, and prefers to make a hasty retreat to avoid his first career defeat.
By moving in weight to 160, Crawford was able to keep his unbeaten record intact by avoiding an unpleasant situation.
If Bud stays at 168 and repeatedly loses to the young, talented contenders, it would confirm in the minds of fans that he would be unleashed if he were forced to work his way to earn a world title against Canelo, rather than giving Turki Alalshikh to a silver plate. Crawford has just received the title at 168 without fighting someone to earn the title shot.
Greaters who do not run all times
If Crawford is serious about wanting to be below The greats of all timehe must show courage by staying at 168 and defending his four titles against one of these three:
- David benavidez
- Christian Milli
- Osleys Iglesias
Greaters from the past, fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Muhammad AliAnd Joe Louis, would not leave a section to avoid dangerous opposition. They would not move in weight to win an easy belt for superficial record roads. Those fighters were not so weak.
You can’t call Crawford a big lead based on his one win over Canelo or his other 41 wins on his resume, because he took no risks where he was a big underdog. When he had the chance to do so by fighting David Banavidez, he refused to fight against him. This is not a good behavior.
Combat Towel Talents such as Benavidez, Mbilli, Iglesias, Dmitri Bivolol and Artur Betterbiev are Prerequisites to be one of the greats of all time. Crawford will not do this, so in my opinion he does not deserve a place of honor under Ali, Sugar Ray and Armstrong.
Youth and power too much for Bud
“If I’m Terence Crawford, I would give up the belts and go to 160. It will be wonderful at 160. Create another milestone in your career, ‘said coach Ronnie Shields Fight Hub TV About what Terence Crawford should do next.
I wouldn’t necessarily say that it was going to be ‘wonderful’ for Crawford at 160. If his intention is to win a world title, he will have a lot of trouble catching a belt, because these guys have fought for runners before. The way Crawford has hampered Canelo Alvarez by hitting the rounds and running out by running is not a guarantee of success with the middleweight.
Champions at 160
- Janibek Alimkhanuly: IBF and WBO
- Erislandy Lara: WBA
- Carlos Adames: WBC
‘Leave all the other guys at 168. They are too young, too fast and too strong. Not to say that he can’t hang out with the guys, ”Shields said at Crawford to avoid the dangerous younger fighters at Super Mid -leg Weight.
Shields raises a good point. Crawford would have many problems with youth, size, power and speed of the top fighters at 168. He barely beat a small, faded, flat -footed, weakened Canelo on September 13.
Crawford would face young, living bodies with size and power if he chose to defend his undisputed super -middleweight championship against the contenders in the division.
Even if he chooses one of the flawed, such as Hamzah Sheeraz or 35-year-old Jermall Charlo, it would still be difficult for him. It is bigger guys with pop in their push that would cause Crawford problems with their power.
Last updated on 09/25/2025
