Why Canelo vs. Bud Crawford is the fight boxing needs

By Gary Cromie: Boxing fans, get ready for a hypothetical showdown of epic proportions: Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford. Although this fight is not confirmed, the mere possibility of it happening in 2025 has the boxing world buzzing. This game is not just a daydream; this is the most compelling and intriguing fight in boxing today.

The story of the band

Let’s talk about size and skill first. Mexican powerhouse Canelo Álvarez usually fights around 168 pounds and became the undisputed king at 168 before being stripped by the IBF in July 2024. He is known for his brute strength, iron chin, smart counter punching and a will to win. On the other hand, Bud Crawford, a welterweight maestro and two-time undisputed champion, showed that he can pack a punch against higher weights such as 154, where he took the highly skilled and unorthodox Madrimov’s belt in a chess match that hardcore fans let saliva . Bud has now won championship belts in four different divisions, 135, 140, 147 and 154, and dares to dream at 168.

Crawford’s clean life and strict discipline mean his age (currently 37) is just a number. Unlike others who balloon between fights, Bud stays lean, mean and always ready to step into the ring. A fight around 160-163 pounds for Bud would see him stronger while maintaining his speed advantage against Canelo. Canelo’s recent fights have seen him become a plodder with a questionable engine that loads on single punches – a fact exposed by Bivol, who tutored him in the art of stick and move. Don’t forget, Canelo couldn’t put Munguia or Berlanga away even though he knocked them down and both of these fighters were considered easy assignments for the Mexican, and many pundits were right to claim they were cherry-picked.

The experts weigh in

When it comes to opinions from the boxing intelligentsia, many believe Crawford has the tools to take down Canelo. Teddy Atlas, the fiery trainer-turned-commentator, praises Crawford’s ring IQ and adaptability, saying: “Crawford can fight in any style and adapt immediately. It’s a nightmare for Canelo.”

Andre Ward, a master strategist in his own right, sees Crawford’s versatility as key. “Bud’s ability to change positions and control distance gives him the edge,” says Ward.

Stephen “Breadman” Edwards praises Bud’s ability to control the distance and dictate the pace. He says: “Crawford’s ring generalship is second to none. He knows how to control the pace of the fight.”

Tim Bradley adds, “Bud’s work ethic and his ability to stay in shape throughout the year is going to give Canelo problems. He’s not going to get tired.”

And let’s not Errol Spence Jr. forget, who went on record saying, “If Bud fought Canelo, I’d pick Bud because there’s nothing he can’t do if he puts his mind to it – he’s special.”

Canelo’s Excuses: A Comedy of Errors

Now let’s dive into Canelo’s treasure trove of excuses to dodge Bud. First, he claims that Crawford is “too small.” Really, Canelo? The same Bud who moved up weight classes with ease? It’s also a little rich coming from someone who fought at cruiserweight, tips the scales at around 200 pounds, but is only 5 feet 7 inches — the same height as Bud. Claiming that Crawford is too small to fight at 168 is like saying a giraffe can’t reach high branches—absolutely absurd.

Then there’s the classic “Crawford isn’t a big enough draw.” Listen to the canned laughter. Bud’s recent fights have drawn large audiences, proving that he is a star in his own right, but throughout his career he has been shunned and marginalized – especially by the PBC stable. Saying that Bud isn’t a big draw is like claiming people don’t watch the Super Bowl for the commercials – utter nonsense.

Canelo’s past with David Benavidez is even more laughable. From claiming that Benavidez didn’t “deserve” a shot (as if knocking out opponent after opponent isn’t enough) to hiding behind the WBC’s protection racket, Canelo’s reluctance smacks of the WBC’s cash cow. Maurice Sulaiman and his crew certainly coddled their golden goose, made sure he was safe and sound from any real threat, and, in my opinion, turned the man into an insufferable Diva.

The legacy question

Canelo often talks about his legacy, but what does it really entail? A series of carefully constructed fights that avoid real competition – Bivol aside? History does not remember the ducks and dodges; it remembers the warriors. Crawford, on the other hand, is all about legacy. He is willing to step into the lion’s den, take on the biggest challenges and emerge victorious. Canelo seems to have one foot out the door, unwilling to challenge himself against the best anymore, but content to make money fighting lesser men.

Tactics and win on points

For Bud to win, it’s all about tactics. His speed and footwork can frustrate Canelo, keeping him off balance and unable to plant his feet for those powerful punches. Crawford’s jab, combined with his ability to switch positions, can create angles that Canelo has not encountered before. Bud’s best bet is to hold and move, land clean shots and avoid prolonged exchanges. Over 12 rounds, this approach could see Crawford outbox Canelo, win a points decision and prove that skill and strategy trumps raw power.

The Grand Finale

In conclusion, this fight is deserved by the clash boxing fans. Crawford is the challenger ready to shake things up, while Canelo is more interested in maintaining his comfortable, carefully managed status. If Canelo continues to dodge Bud, he risks having his legacy tainted not by losses, but by missed opportunities. Enter Turki Al-Sheikh, the man who likes to let the best fight the best. Love him or hate him, Turki has the resources to lure Canelo into the ring. Despite being in the twilight of their careers, a fight between Canelo and Crawford would be compelling and profitable. So, we hope that Canelo stops hiding and rises to the challenge. If not, well, I’ll be here laughing at his latest round of excuses.

Until then, let’s keep dreaming of this potential showdown and hope it becomes a reality. In the world of boxing, the fights we don’t see often leave the biggest questions.