Terence Crawford returns to the ring this weekend for the first time in over a year, stepping up to super middleweight to face undisputed champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Doubts have already been raised over Crawford’s chances as he prepares to jump up two weight classes after just one fight at super welterweight, but inactivity is another factor that may work against ‘Bud’.
Since 2019 Crawford has fought just once a year, and his contest against Canelo will be the third consecutive fight to be staged at a different weight class.
READ: ‘Don’t tell Canelo!’: Terence Crawford provides fresh update on injury rumours
Can Crawford shake off the ring rust to emerge victorious this Saturday?
Terence Crawford’s rusty performance against Israil Madrimov
Our most recent look at Crawford was his narrow unanimous decision win over Israil Madrimov, the previously undefeated Uzbekistani, last August. Only 11 fights into his professional career, but with over 300 fights as an amateur, Madrimov more than gave ‘Bud’ a fight.
In fact, he was the first man to take Crawford 12 rounds since 2016, with the American edging the score cards 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113.
Crawford’s performance against Madrimov also raised the question of how he coped with the additional weight, with some critics claiming he looked slower carrying another 7lbs.
His lack of activity, the additional weight, and the slowing down that age forces upon us all are road blocks to Crawford’s potential success against Canelo and he will have to perform better than he did against Madrimov to get his hand raised this weekend.
Canelo’s own activity outpaces Terence Crawford
Known as ‘the face of boxing’, Canelo Alvarez has settled into the rhythm of fighting close to Cinco de Mayo in the spring, before returning to action in September, close to Mexican Independence Day.
Whilst boxing around those major public holidays certainly helps commercially, it may also give Canelo a boost when it comes to ring-readiness. Since 2021 Canelo has been fighting at least twice a year, an average that continues back to 2012.
Crawford’s own inactivity may not be costly on a personal level – he could find that he performs better with longer to rest and prepare between fights. However, the younger Canelo may find advantage by being in a better rhythm.
Could a lack of a tune-up and Terence Crawford’s age prove costly?
Much of the discussion around Crawford’s chances centre on currently unknown variables. A tune-up fight would have enabled Crawford to gather information ahead of the Canelo contest, getting some rounds in, whilst also boosting his experience of fighting slightly heavier.
Of course, if Crawford produced a safe-yet-lacklustre performance against a smaller name, that same criticism would persist.
Just two weeks after his fight with Canelo, Crawford will turn 38. Over two decades of boxing will take its toll, and he no longer has to struggle with cutting weight due to being able to put on another 14lbs to fight at super middleweight, Crawford’s powers of recovery may not be what they used to be.
Crawford’s inactivity may in fact be the best approach to get as much out of his career as possible; rather than burning out quicker, ‘Bud’ will hope to increase his chances of winning fights.
