Tim Bradley, former world champion, recently expressed his firm belief that Terence Crawford would convincingly defeat Jermell Charlo, the reigning undisputed junior middleweight champion, should the opportunity arise. Bradley’s confidence stems from Crawford’s strategic preparation and mental foresight. Crawford, with a record of 40-0, including 31 knockouts, reportedly already has a game plan in mind if and when he fights Charlo, whose current record stands at 35-1-1, including 19 knockouts. Bradley predicts this fight would be straightforward for Crawford, even referring to it as a “cakewalk.”
However, a notable obstacle to this potential matchup is Crawford’s age and infrequency of fights. At 36 years old and only competing once a year, Crawford might find it challenging to maintain his top form. Additionally, Charlo has his sights set on an upcoming match against the ‘Face of Boxing’, Canelo Alvarez. Scheduled for September 30th, this bout could see Charlo continue to fight in the 168-pound class should he emerge victorious. Staying in this weight class might complicate a potential fight with Crawford, who would need to move up several weight classes.
Given these considerations, Crawford's potential move up in weight classes to fight Charlo becomes a subject of debate. Bradley continues to back Crawford’s strategic acumen and physical abilities to defeat Charlo. However, others argue for realism, given Crawford's size limitations and the slow progression of his career. Is it feasible for Crawford to bulk up to 168 pounds to challenge Charlo, especially if Charlo wins the titles from Canelo?
Despite the speculations and doubts, Bradley remains steadfast in his belief that Crawford possesses special talent that sets him apart. Drawing parallels between Crawford and Naoya Inoue, Bradley argues that Crawford, like Inoue, is a generational talent, one who will be talked about for years to come. Such unwavering faith underscores the potential and promise that Bradley sees in Crawford, even in the face of possible adversities and challenges.
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