According to trainer Mickey Bey, Terence Crawford might want to think twice before bulking up too much for his big fight with unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez coming up in September.
Bey suggests that Crawford should aim to step into the ring lighter, around 165 to 168 pounds. The idea is to stay close to his weigh-in weight so that he can maintain his speed, which will be crucial when he’s up against Alvarez, who boasts a record of 62 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 of those wins coming by knockout.
Adding extra weight isn’t necessarily going to boost Crawford’s power, especially since he was formidable at 154 and 147 pounds. Just packing on muscle doesn’t magically enhance hitting power in most cases, more so if it’s done quickly over a single training camp. Real improvements in power from muscle gain are usually tied to performance-enhancing drugs like steroids that are specifically for building strength.
Regarding Crawford’s optimal fighting weight, Bey told MillCity Boxing that he believes it wouldn’t be wise for Crawford to bulk up excessively. Bey’s advice is to come in at 165 and maintain that through the fight—either at weigh-in or on fight night. Crawford appears noticeably heavier since his last fight, though training camp has yet to start. It’s possible he’ll trim down, but his current strategy seems to involve matching Canelo’s size.
Bey advises that there’s no need for Crawford to rehydrate excessively. Since he’s already moving up in weight class, he should focus on staying in top fighting condition rather than artificially inflating his weight. Bey explains that Crawford should be under 170 pounds during the fight. If he swells up to over 180 pounds after hitting his official weight, he risks slowing down, which could impede his performance, especially since speed and agility are among his best assets.
On the night of the fight, whatever weight feels comfortable and effective during multiple sparring sessions is what Bey recommends. Sticking within 168-171 pounds seems ideal to ensure Crawford is not sluggish. In prime condition, he argues, Crawford can easily make 160 or even 154, so it’s practical for him to stay grounded in the mid-160s range. According to Bey, if Crawford sticks to this plan, he has a good chance of winning by decision.
