Tim Bradley Picks Crawford To Beat Canelo
Tim Bradley has picked Terence Crawford to beat Canelo Alvarez if they face off at 168.
Following Crawford’s win over Errol Spence Jr to stop him in the ninth round to become the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era, the attention turned towards Bud’s next steps. A rematch with Spence was the immediate priority after Errol activated his rematch clause. But that appears to be off the table, given that Crawford became frustrated at Spence’s reasons for his loss.
Spence claimed that he had vision problems going into the fight, as he then underwent cataract surgery. That has now left Bud with the potential of targeting Canelo again. After beating Spence, he did call out the Mexican. That would require him to move up three weight classes to become undisputed at 168.
Alvarez responded by distancing himself from the fight, claiming he would not get credit for beating Bud. Although that may have been the case, Canelo said he would consider it if the fight made sense. Bradley has backed Crawford to outbox Canelo if it were to go ahead.
Bradley On Crawford
“It’s a tough task for Terence. But at the same time, I would back him. I would pick Terence Crawford to beat Canelo Alvarez, even at 168. I think that his skill level is up there with the greatest. [And] I don’t think we’ve seen anything like Terence Crawford. I do study history. I never seen anybody that has everything. Good speed, power, timing, can switch the way he switches. That has the toughest, the meanness that he has, the way he finishes guys, the way he breaks down guys. He’s one of the smartest guys that I’ve ever seen in the ring, right up there with Floyd Mayweather,” Bradley said
Nevertheless, weight classes do exist for a reason. Jermell Charlo went up two weight classes to fight Alvarez at 168. But the American failed to perform strongly, as he was dominated in a one-sided fight. Charlo hit the canvas, and his punches failed to trouble the Mexican, who could have stopped him on any given day.
Canelo has also not been stopped in his entire career, meaning Crawford would have to outbox him and earn Canelo’s respect with his power shots. Mayweather may have done that, but Canelo is not the same fighter he was then. The Mexican is now a four-division champion with more experience, making any Crawford win much more impressive. But Bud has backed himself to come out victorious.
Crawford On Canelo
“168, yeah, Canelo, if he wins (on September 30 against Jermell Charlo), or Charlo. I wanna be three-time undisputed. I’d definitely have to gain weight. I just believe in my abilities. Canelo’s not a big guy. He’s big, muscular-wise, but as far as height, nah,” Crawford stated
As of now, there is still a long way to go before that fight is made. But based on the demand from the fans, there is an appetite to see it happen.
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