Recent optics at the IBF Champions Night saw Terence Crawford cozied up with former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, sparking speculation about a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez scheduled for next May. Observers speculate that Crawford may be hoping to glean insights from Bivol, who previously dominated Canelo in their own encounter. However, such motives appear heavily flawed; Crawford’s physical attributes and fighting style differ significantly from those of Bivol. The leap to believe that Crawford could effectively adopt advice from him seems impractical, given the discrepancies in size and fighting strategy.
One of the most conspicuous obstacles in this speculative firefight is Crawford’s physicality. At present, he holds an impressive record of 41 wins, 31 of which came by knockout, but he still finds himself grappling with the reality that he is smaller, older, and statistically weaker than Alvarez. The classes Crawford would be stepping into simply do not align well with his established weight division. In boxing, a sport where every ounce can make a significant difference, such distinctions can’t be diminished or ignored; they remain critical factors that can render any form of strategy moot.
Adding another layer to this situation, Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in Crawford’s managerial constellation, is murmured to be contemplating a matchup between Crawford and rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr. on February 22nd. However, injury looms large, sidelining Crawford until at least May. This timing is dubious, as it presents Crawford with an opportunity to sidestep a potentially punishing bout against the young Ortiz, while still keeping his name in conversations around high-profile matches against Alvarez. Such calculations, however, may come off as tactical evasion rather than strategic planning.
Notably, Canelo’s reported demand of $180 million serves as a jarring reminder of the financial stakes that accompany match negotiations of this magnitude. If recent rumors are to be believed, this exorbitant price serves more as a message than a financial negotiation tool, signaling Canelo’s lack of interest in facing Crawford at this juncture. Should Turki find a way to fuse the interests of both fighters, it could yield a different narrative. Yet, without mutual interests, Crawford’s strategic positioning may dissolve into nothing more than a fanciful thought bubble, inflated by unfulfilled desires.
While Bivol’s lucid victory over Canelo remains a noteworthy feather in his cap, recent performances have cast doubt on the reliability of his advice. Following his majority decision loss to Artur Beterbiev, there’s a prevailing sense that Bivol may not be the optimal resource for Crawford. After showcasing a lack of resolve in his last fight, it becomes increasingly difficult to suggest he holds valuable fighting insights. Ultimately, Crawford’s endeavor to soak up knowledge from Bivol may reflect an inherent naivety or miscalculated ambition rather than a wisely executed tactical decision. The boxing world thrives on unpredictability, but the path ahead for Crawford appears decidedly rocky.