Terence Crawford still insists that he put on a “great performance” in his last fight, stepping up to 154 against Israil Madrimov, and he feels that what he displayed in the victory showed that he’s ready to challenge Canelo Alvarez at 168.

The Nebraska native Crawford is being given a free title shot against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) on September 13th at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Crawford is being allowed to move up two divisions from 154 to 168 for a straight title shot without fighting any of the contenders.

Movement, Power Didn’t Travel Up

Fans feel that Crawford’s victory over WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov was less convincing, raising doubts about the 38-year-old’s ability to fight at 168 pounds. Terence’s power at 154 was non-existent, and he looked like he’d aged five years from his previous fight against Errol Spence in 2023.

Madrimov showed that Crawford doesn’t belong fighting at 154 or any weight class higher than that. Terence’s decision not to go through with his goal of trying to become undisputed at junior middleweight highlights that he recognized he wouldn’t be able to achieve it. The champions, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora, would be too big, too strong, and too young for Crawford.

The movement, hand speed, and power that Crawford had in the lower weights didn’t travel up to 154. It won’t at 168 without him finding the Fountain of Youth by September 13th. Terence’s reputation was built mainly on his success in fighting at 135 and 140 pounds. The opposition Crawford fought at 147 were lesser fighters, and a couple of old, faded champions. Many fans feel that he’s overrated due to his limited resume, barren of elite names. It’s hard to argue with that when looking at his actual wins.

Crawford Dismisses Power Concerns

“I thought it was a great performance. I thought I did what I wanted in the ring. I thought I picked it up when I wanted to. I felt I banged when I wanted to, and I boxed too well. I don’t take nothing from it,” said Terence Crawford to Sporting News Australia about his last fight against Israil Madrimov last year in August.

It wasn’t a great performance by Crawford. He narrowly beat Madrimov, winning a close 12-round unanimous decision by the scores 115-113, 116-112, and 115-113. The fight showed that Crawford isn’t the same fighter at 154 that he was in the lower weights, and certainly won’t be better going up to 168.

“Styles make fights. So, Canelo has a different style than Israil Madrimov. We just go from there. Not at all,” said Crawford when asked if he noticed any difference in his ability going up to 154 with his power and to take a shot.

Crawford has never knocked out an elite fighter in their prime during his 17-year professional career. Although Terence stopped Errol Spence and Shawn Porter, both were faded versions of their former selves, worn down from age, long careers, weight drain, and inactivity. Crawford fought them both at the right time.