In boxing, talent alone isn’t the entire story—style and strategy often determine the victor. Recent analyses suggest that Terence Crawford’s southpaw stance presents a unique challenge for Canelo Alvarez’s current fighting approach. Shakur Stevenson’s insight highlights a fundamental truth in combat sports: the element of unpredictability that comes with stance and technique. Canelo, despite his formidable record, displayed vulnerabilities when fighting southpaws like John Ryder, revealing weaknesses that skilled fighters like Crawford could exploit.
What makes Crawford’s potential upset so fascinating is not just his switch-hitting ability but his unwavering stance as a true southpaw. Historically, orthodox fighters find it difficult to adapt against southpaw opponents because their angles and timing are different from what they normally encounter. This strategic advantage, paired with Crawford’s sharp boxing IQ and technical prowess, could lead to a seismic shift in welterweight or even super middleweight divisions if he chooses to capitalize on it.
The Challenge of the Weight Class Jump
However, the narrative isn’t solely about stance. Moving up from welterweight to super middleweight involves significant challenges, including adjusting to increased power and size of opponents. Crawford’s decision—or perhaps oversight—in skipping a tune-up fight at 154 pounds may now be a critical flaw. His debut at the higher weight against Israil Madrimov raised questions about his movement and endurance, casting doubt on whether he can handle the bigger, more powerful fighters at 168 pounds.
Crawford’s reliance on former opportunities, like the Canelo fight facilitated by Turki Alalshikh, underscores the importance of timing and strategic backing in boxing. Without such support, fighters can find themselves overwhelmed by the depth of talent in weight classes above their comfort zone. Crawford’s success in these circumstances hinges on more than just talent; it requires careful preparation and adaptation, which remains uncertain now that he’s facing a fighter with Canelo’s experience, punch accuracy, and resilience.
Is Canelo Vulnerable or Just Beaten by Style?
Stevenson’s prediction that Crawford would beat Canelo is rooted in a belief that style always trumps raw power. While Canelo has dominated at 168, his performance against Ryder exposed a chink in his armor when faced with a southpaw—one that Crawford is capable of exploiting. But a fair critique must acknowledge that Canelo’s ring IQ, defensive skills, and adaptability could counteract Crawford’s stance advantage if he studies film and adjusts his approach.
The truth is, styles make fights. Crawford’s unorthodox stance might initially throw Canelo off, but the Mexican superstar’s experience against diverse opponents gives him an edge in making necessary in-fight adjustments. The outcome hinges less on naive predictions and more on who better utilizes their strengths and mitigates their weaknesses during key moments. Yet, I am inclined to believe that Crawford’s technical proficiency and Southpaw mastery could create a blueprint for victory that many underestimate.
By challenging conventional expectations and emphasizing style disparities, this matchup underscores a broader theme in boxing: greatness often resides in the ability to adapt and innovate. Whether Crawford can utilize his southpaw stance to outmaneuver Canelo remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—this fight promises to redefine what we consider a competitive edge in the boxing cosmos.