I was also being a bit sarcastic.
I dont think anyone considers Postol or Madrimov to be the top level guy. Good but hardly top level. Crawford handpicks too much in his career.
Gotcha, my bad.
I would argue Postol was far more of a "Top Guy" than Madrimov, and there were a number of fighters who were roughly the equal of Madrimov that Crawford fought when he was at light and JWW
I was also being a bit sarcastic.
I dont think anyone considers Postol or Madrimov to be the top level guy. Good but hardly top level. Crawford handpicks too much in his career.
There's definitely some truth here.
Problem is Crawford fights only once a year, so he's not in a position to perform on a consistent basis.
Otherwise, he would have fought Ennis before...
As good as Crawford is, we're still waiting for him to fight a top guy in their prime.
*exception Madrimov, who he struggled with.
I would argue Postol was far more of a "Top Guy" than Madrimov, and there were a number of fighters who were roughly the equal of Madrimov that Crawford fought when he was at light and JWW
I don't think so no, until? He proves me otherwise i.e. defend his titles vs the other top level Super Middle Weight fighters.
The Terrence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez fight, was stylistically a great opportunity for Crawford 'It was still a potentially difficult fight for him, but? Most boxing fans could all see how Crawford could win the fight with his skill for skill boxing and athleticism'.
Note: I think Terrence Crawford skill for skill may be better than most of the top level super middle weight fighters 'but there is only so much his skill level can negate. There is a high likely-hood in my opinion, that in this modern era of boxing. There may be super middle weight fighters that are just too strong, durable and powerful for Crawford's skill level to negate'.
As many people have pointed out? Similar to how Terrence Crawford has weight drained himself for the majority of his career 'to compete in the lower weight divisions, and avoid fighting at his more natural fighting weight. There are currently right now, Super Middle Weight fighters who at some point in their careers may move up through the divisions and fight closer to their natural fighting weight'.
Canelo Alvarez in his fight vs Terrence Crawford 'lost a fight once again, due to his endurance levels and lack of gears. Those two attributes I have just mentioned there, are not really skilled based attributes. There may be domestic level fighters with really solid endurance levels and gears, but then they lack a super high skill level'.
Israil Madrimov at 154 pounds, skill for skill is not on the level of Canelo Alvarez 'but he still was able to push him in a very close fight, mainly because of his endurance levels, durability and brute strength. Now just imagine? If Terrence Crawford stays around at the 168 pound divisions, he could collide with a fighter who just has too much endurance, durability and brute strength for him to negate. I think this is a legitimate possibility in his career'.
To conclude: Terrence Crawford is a great fighter, but? I don't really think he has the overall game to dominate the Middle to Super Middle Weight Divisions 'this was very clear after his fight against Israil Madrimov'.
Moving forward now in the career of Terrence Crawford 'I like the idea of him fighting at 160 pounds, ether potentially against Chris Eubank Junior or one of the Champions in that divisions' etc.
If he can`t defend his belts at 168 against top 10 contenders, than i guess he is not?
Will so called undisputed 168 champ just run away?
There's definitely some truth here.
Problem is Crawford fights only once a year, so he's not in a position to perform on a consistent basis.
Otherwise, he would have fought Ennis before...
As good as Crawford is, we're still waiting for him to fight a top guy in their prime.
*exception Madrimov, who he struggled with.
If he can`t defend his belts at 168 against top 10 contenders, than i guess he is not?
Will so called undisputed 168 champ just run away?
The only reason he is undisputed is because the ABC's allowed Canelo to duck Benavidez for 3 years. If they enforced mandatories on Canelo, then he would never have been undisputed and neither would Bud.
Hes the direct beneficiary of boxing corruption, Undisputeds are a nice to have but there is so much politics involved in who gets allowed to keep belts and ranking games that it just doesnt mean as much as you think
He's legit. But at same time, he did just jump 3 weight divisions. He'll always be the underdog any legit fighter at 168. Same way that Usyk was the underdog until he hurt Fury and KOd Dubois.
Crawford's definitely undersized at 168.
Well Nelo beat some long arm 6ft plus 168 guys. Bud best someone his own dimensions.
If Nel o and bud retire today. Nel o goes down as the greater 168 guy
He didn't come up for a run at 168lbs he came up for a super-fight against Canelo and an attempt at making history, which was achieved. The logical thing to do now would be to move down to 160lbs, pick up a title and become a six division champion.
with Crawford's high boxing IQ and strength it's hard to imagine him not holding his own at 168lbs.