Gabriel Rosado doesn’t like the idea of Terence Crawford moving up to 168 to challenge Canelo Alvarez for his four titles.
Crawford-Canelo is a win-win for Crawford because even if he loses, he won’t receive flak due to him coming up three weight classes to face him.
Rosado prefers Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) fighting the young IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis because they’re in the same weight class, and the Philadelphia native has earned his shot.
Risk vs. Reward
Crawford has shown resistance in fighting Boots (31-0, 28 KOs), wanting only the big-money fights, which may not be out there for him.
Terence got a taste of dough for his undisputed welterweight clash against Spence last July, and he’d like to keep that going by continuing to swim in the money in a fight with Canelo after he faces Errol in a rematch.
The only problem is that Canelo hasn’t shown interest in fighting Crawford, so the options for big paydays outside of a rematch with Spence might be there for him.
Nothing in it for Canelo
“I would rather see Terence and Boots because I’m not really interested in Crawford-Canelo because that’s likely two different paths said Gabriel Rosaod to Fight Hub TV about not wanting to see Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez fight.
Crawford is the only one who gets anything out of a fight with Canelo, which is why it’s one that the Mexican star views as not worthy of him.
In Canelo’s last fight, he beat a junior middleweight Jermell Charlo, and the fans didn’t give him the credit that he would have received if he were fighting someone in the same weight class or heavier.
Crawford could make things easier for Canelo if he moved up to 168 and knocked off one or two of the top fighters in the division. It would have to be someone good, like David Benavidez or David Morrell Jr, preferably both.
Defeating a gatekeeper like Caleb Plant or Demetrius Andrade wouldn’t be enough. Those guys have already lost recently, and it wouldn’t be enough of an accomplishment for Crawford to get the Canelo fight. He’s got to take some real risks, which he doesn’t seem interested in taking.
“Canelo is in a higher weight class, and that’s his legacy. Terence did his thing. I feel like if Canelo beats him at that weight [168], then they’re going to say that he [Crawford] was too small,” said Rosado.
Crawford & Boots in same weight class
“It’s more of a win-win for Crawford. It’s nothing in it for Canelo. Boot earned his spot because he beat the guys he was supposed to beat,” said Rosado. “They’re [Ennis and Crawford] are in the same weight class. This is a young man’s sport.”
Crawford seems resistant to being the stepping stone for Boots Ennis in the same way that Julio Cesar Chavez was for a young Oscar De La Hoya in June 1996.
At the time, Chavez was the old grizzled veteran, around the same age as Crawford, whereas De La Hoya was the young phenom at 23 years old, speedy fast, and way too talented for the shell of the Mexican star.
Boots Ennis: The true challenge for Terence
“You’re the king, you’re on top, you’re pound-for-pound, Crawford, and now you’ve got the young killer [Boots Ennis] coming u, and to stay in the game, you’ve got to fight them dudes,” said Rosado.
“That’s just how the game is. It’s like Chavez-De La Hoya. We can go on and on. So, I’d prefer to see that fight [Crawford vs. Ennis], but like I said. Crawford and Canelo fighting, I feel like it’s a win-win for Crawford, because if he loses, it’s like, ‘Oh, he went up.’ But if Canelo loses, it’s like, ‘You lost to the little guy.'”
It’s a totally win-win for Crawford if Canelo blesses him with a fight, as he’ll get big bucks and won’t be criticized by the fans for losing to the Mexican star. In contrast, Canelo will be labeled a bully & cherry picker for selecting a welterweight to fight, and it would be like when he fought Amir Khan.
“It’s not like, ‘You lost to the little guy.’ I think I’d like to see Crawford and Boots,” said Rosado. “Canelo wins, ‘Well, you’re too big. You’re fighting dudes like Bivol, and now you’re fighting,’ even though Crawford is a big dude. Crawford stays in shape. He’s really a big guy.”
Crawford is doing the right thing by not hounding Canelo night & day, begging for the fight, because that approach is pure poison and doesn’t work. If Canelo is in need of an opponent for May or September, he might look Crawford’s way and give him the golden ticket. I wouldn’t bet on it if I were him, though.
“I support the fight. If Canelo and Crawford fight, I support out. Honestly, I’m not giving Canelo a large margin. That’s an interesting fight. Obviously, Canelo has got the power,” said Rosado.
