1. Keyshawn Davis Predicts Crawford’s Path to Knock Out Canelo After Beating Madrimov
Keyshawn Davis, the ambitious lightweight contender, believes that Terence Crawford is on track to secure a monumental fight against Canelo Alvarez next year. According to Davis, Crawford’s victory over Israil Madrimov on August 3rd is almost guaranteed, setting the stage for an unprecedented leap to the super middleweight division where he would face Canelo.
2. Crawford’s Journey: From Madrimov to Canelo
Terence Crawford, currently unbeaten with a record of 40-0 and 31 KOs, is expected to have an easy win against Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs). Davis, who shares the same trainer with Crawford, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, suggests that this victory will pave the way for Crawford to jump two weight classes to 168 pounds and take on Canelo Alvarez.
3. Keyshawn Davis’ Confidence in Crawford
Keyshawn Davis is vocal about his confidence in Crawford’s capabilities. “I think they will fight, especially after Crawford looks good against his opponent [Madrimov],” Davis told Fight Hub TV. He firmly believes that a successful performance against Madrimov will make a fight with Canelo inevitable.
4. The Fans’ Perspective: A Leap Too Far?
Many boxing fans and analysts are skeptical about Crawford’s potential move to 168 pounds. They argue that proving himself at 154 pounds doesn’t justify skipping the 160-pound division entirely to challenge Canelo, who is the undisputed champion at super middleweight. Such a move could be perceived as a money grab rather than a legitimate challenge.
5. Comparing Weight Class Leaps: Crawford vs. Charlo
Keyshawn Davis’ prediction draws comparisons to Jermell Charlo’s move from 154 to 168 pounds to fight Canelo last year, a bout that ended in a decisive defeat for Charlo. Critics worry that Crawford’s potential jump might result in a similar outcome, underscoring the significant challenges of moving up multiple weight classes.
6. Crawford’s Strategy and the Importance of Proving Worth
For Crawford to earn a fight with Canelo, many believe he needs to prove himself further. This could involve fighting top contenders at 160 pounds or taking on notable opponents like David Benavidez or David Morrell at 168. Keyshawn Davis, however, insists that size and weight aren’t the sole factors in determining the outcome of a fight.
7. Keyshawn Davis Challenges Conventional Wisdom
“Size doesn’t mean everything in a fight,” Davis said, emphasizing that a fighter needs more than just size, power, and speed to win. He argues that Crawford’s skill set and experience could compensate for the size disparity against Canelo.
8. The Reality of Size in Boxing
Despite Davis’ claims, the reality of boxing often sees fighters struggling when they jump multiple weight classes. Keyshawn’s own career trajectory hasn’t seen him moving up significantly, which raises questions about his assertions regarding the irrelevance of size in the sport.
9. The Potential Impact of Crawford Knocking Out Madrimov
Davis is confident that Crawford will not only outbox Madrimov but also knock him out. “This guy is a young, hungry lion,” Davis said of Madrimov, acknowledging the challenge ahead. A dominant performance by Crawford could indeed generate significant buzz and make a fight with Canelo more appealing to fans and promoters alike.
10. The Uncertainty of Crawford’s Future at Higher Weights
As Crawford prepares to face Madrimov, questions remain about his ability to compete effectively at higher weights, especially given his age and inactivity. His performance on August 3rd will be crucial in determining whether he truly has the potential to face and defeat Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds.
