Boxing veteran Gabriel Rosado has expressed his reservations about a potential fight between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, citing weight class differences and the lack of incentive for Canelo. Rosado believes that Crawford moving up to 168 to challenge Canelo for his titles doesn’t make much sense, as Crawford would be stepping up three weight classes. Instead, Rosado sees a better fight in Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) facing off against fellow welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis, as they are in the same weight class and Ennis has earned his shot.
Rosado points out that a fight between Crawford and Canelo would largely benefit Crawford, even if he loses, due to the weight disparity. He argues that Canelo, having recently beaten junior middleweight Jermell Charlo, did not receive the credit he deserved and that a fight with Crawford might not change this narrative. Rosado suggests that for Crawford to make a compelling case for fighting Canelo, he would need to defeat top fighters in the super middleweight division, such as David Benavidez or David Morrell Jr.
The match-up between Crawford and Canelo is seen as a win-win for Crawford but offers little to Canelo in terms of legacy or challenge. Rosado believes that Crawford facing Ennis would be more fitting, as they are in the same weight class and Ennis has proven himself against the right opponents. This fight, in Rosado's view, would be more in line with the natural progression of the sport, akin to the historic bout between Julio Cesar Chavez and a young Oscar De La Hoya.
Rosado’s comments highlight the complexities of arranging high-profile fights in boxing, where considerations like weight classes, legacy, and risk versus reward play significant roles. The potential Crawford vs. Canelo match-up has stirred debate among fans and insiders alike, with opinions divided on its feasibility and fairness.
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