WBC interim featherweight champion Bruce Carrington says Canelo Alvarez’s punching power could possibly be the “red flag” for Terence Crawford because he had problems with the shots from his last opponent, Israil Madrimov.
Carrington notes that if Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) had issues with former WBA junior middlewight champion Madrimov’s power in his move as much as 154 a yr ago on August 3, 2024, he’s going to be geting hit even harder by the undisputed super middleweight champ Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) on September thirteenth at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Crawford’s Vulnerability Exposed
“The plain red flag now we have to search for is Canelo’s power. After I was watching Bud and Madrimov, within the post-fight interview, I used to be expecting him to say the kind of Madrimov is what made the fight difficult. But he said it was the ability. He didn’t say it was the style,” said WBC interim featherweight Bruce Carrington to Sean Zittel about Terence Crawford’s last fight against WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov.
The movement and constant feints that Madrimov used also appeared to present Crawford problems because he looked like he never knew when he would throw. When Madrimov threw, he was catching him repeatedly.
Carrington didn’t mention the yr of the layoff Crawford had going into the Madrimov fight, his age, or his moving up from 147 to 154. Sitting out of the ring for a yr after Crawford’s win over Errol Spence on July 29, 2023, wasn’t the wisest thing to do. Now, Terence has done it again, staying inactive for a yr.
Terence’s Style Advantage
“If the ability is the issue, Canelo has a bunch of it. He has lots of it, and that’s a giant issue,” said Carrington. “I feel like Canelo is tailor-made for a man like Crawford by way of style. The best way that Crawford is capable of adjust to anyone’s style, and he’s a switch-hitter. He also boxes and has long arms.”
Israil Madrimov’s punches marked Crawford’s face up, and he wasn’t loading up on his shots. He was reaching out to hit him with quick shots. If Madrimov had been busier within the second half of the fight, he would have won because he wasn’t busy enough within the last six rounds.
Being a switch-hitter isn’t enough for Crawford to win, because Canelo does well against southpaws. So, if Terence chooses to fight out of the lefty stance on September thirteenth, it won’t be the advantage that he or his fans consider it would. Canelo has an excessive amount of experience to be thrown off by Crawford moving from righty to lefty all night. Changing stances might get Crawford hurt.
“He’s taller than Canelo and has the scale advantage. He’s not wider by way of muscle. He has what it takes to upset the boxing world and be the victor in that fight. I genuinely consider Bud goes to be the one who comes out together with his hand raised,” said Carrington.
Crawford’s reach is analogous to that of past Canelo opponents, including William Scull, Edgar Berlanga, and Jermell Charlo. Terence’s reach is 74, and theirs was 73. Canelo was still capable of land his shots on them despite freely giving 2 1/2 inches in reach. Alvarez’s reach is 70 1/2″.
Last Updated on 08/28/2025