By Allan Fox: Shakur Stevenson says the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo winner should face welterweight Terence Crawford, even though Bud has never fought at 168 to earn the right to face either of these guys.
Canelo has already nixed the idea of facing Crawford, as he doesn’t see how he would gain anything from fighting him in terms of credit.
Yeah, the money would be good, but he’s already amassed a $200 million+ fortune, which is still expanding, regardless of who he faces.
The needy one here is Crawford, who needs to take some risks with his career & legacy by moving up to 168 to earn the fight against Canelo by beating ‘The Big Four’ at super middleweight:
- David Morrell Jr
- David Benavidez
- Caleb Plant
- Demetrius Andrade
If Crawford can pass these four killers, he may move forward to challenge King Canelo for his crown at 168. Without beating those four, Crawford will be one of many fighters wishing that he could meet with the King but hasn’t slain the four dragons that guard the castle to earn the right.
It’s obviously scary for Crawford to even contemplate getting in the ring with the likes of Morrell, Andrade, Benavidez & Plant, but he’s got to face his fears if he wants the chance to fight Canelo.
William Shakespeare: “A coward dies a thousand deaths; a hero dies but once.”
Stevenson doesn’t say why Crawford shouldn’t have to earn the fight against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo. Why would Crawford be given privileges that others aren’t given?
What would say about the sport if Crawford were allowed to jump the line? Is that not a joke?
In a sport where fighters are expected to earn a fight by fighting top contenders to get ranked in their weight classes, why does Shakur believe that Crawford should be granted special treatment to skip to the front of the line ahead of the top 168-pounders.
Shakur says he’s watched Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) spar heavyweights and hurt them, and he feels that he would beat Canelo (59-2-2, 39 KOs) if given the chance to fight him.
Will Crawford get Canelo – Jermell winner?
“I would like to see Bud [Crawford] against the winner of Canelo & Charlo,” said Shakur Stevenson to the MillCity Boxing Internet community when asked if Terence Crawford should fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Of course, Shakur would like to see his good friend Crawford fight the Canelo vs. Charlo winner, but the problem is, he hasn’t earned the right.
If King Canelo were to allow Crawford to fight him, he would have a virtual stampede of smaller fighters from 108 to 154, begging for a fight with him and using Terence as an example of why they should be permitted to have this honor.
“I think that would make more sense just because they have the accolades, and everything matches up perfectly fine with them,” Shakur continued about his view that Crawford should face the winner of the Canelo vs. Charlo fight.
“He’s [Canelo] 5’8″. Honestly, I’ve been saying that for years,” Shakur said about his belief that Crawford can beat Canelo. “Ever since the Shawn Porter fight, I’ve been saying that Bud would beat Canelo. That’s just my opinion.
“I’ve seen Bud in the gym, and that’s the difference. I have seen him get in there with heavyweight fighters, and he’s hurting them. I’ve seen him wobble them, so I know his power transition in the higher-weight classes. So that’s what it really comes down to, and he’s got the skills.
“He has everything to hold his own against a Canelo Alvarez, and when it comes down to who is the better fighter, and I look at those two, I think Bud Crawford is the better fighter.
Boots Ennis has not proven enough for Terence
“Boots is a bad mother ***. I don’t think it makes that much sense, I really don’t,” said Shakur about his opinion that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis hasn’t earned the right to face Crawford, even though he’s his IBF mandatory.
“Honestly, I don’t think Boots has had the opportunity to prove himself, and that’s what it really boils down to when it comes down to me.
“Boots is on the come up. He hasn’t gotten any opportunities yet. We all know that Boots is the truth. He hasn’t gotten himself the opportunity to put himself in position for that type of fight. That’s what I see from him,” said Shakur.
