As a rising star in the junior middleweight division, Charles Conwell is eyeing the biggest names in his weight class. However, he also sees why Terence Crawford, a legendary figure in boxing, may opt to move up to super middleweight for a shot at Canelo Alvarez, rather than staying at 154 pounds.
Crawford, having recently captured the WBA world title at 154 pounds with a win over Israil Madrimov, is no stranger to conquering different weight classes, but Conwell believes Crawford may now be considering his options more carefully.
Conwell, who has yet to fight for a world title, understands that Crawford is nearing the end of his career.
“What else is there for Terence Crawford to do and who else is there for him to fight to cement his legacy more than he already has?” Conwell remarked during an interview with Gerry Cooney and Randy Gordon on SiriusXM’s At the Fights.
With a legacy built on multiple championships at various weights, Crawford may now be looking for a new challenge-one that could elevate his career even further.
Crawford’s motivation: legacy vs. financial reward
Crawford’s journey has been defined by dominance at lightweight, light-welterweight, and welterweight. But now, at 37 years old, he has fewer opportunities ahead of him. Conwell believes that Crawford’s decision to move up in weight could be driven by both the desire for a lucrative payday and the opportunity to secure an even bigger legacy.
“A fight with Canelo at 168 would earn Crawford far more than any other bout at 154,” Conwell stated.
Crawford has earned substantial paydays in recent years, particularly after his victory over Errol Spence in 2023, but the opportunity to face Canelo Alvarez, one of boxing’s most marketable stars, would offer a significant boost to Crawford’s financial standing while also providing a potential career-defining moment.
While Conwell respects Crawford’s pursuit of financial success, he also recognizes that today’s fighters often have to weigh the benefits of legacy against the monetary rewards.
“With today’s fighters, I feel like it’s money first,” Conwell explained.
“You can’t eat legacy. You can’t take legacy home. You can’t cash legacy at the bank.”
This is a sentiment that many athletes in combat sports can relate to, and it underscores why a fight with Canelo is so appealing to Crawford.
For Conwell, the prospect of Crawford facing Canelo presents an exciting opportunity for both a lucrative financial payoff and a chance to cement his place in boxing history. While Conwell is still working toward his own first title shot, he acknowledges the inevitability of Crawford seeking the biggest challenges available before the end of his illustrious career.
Should Crawford take on Canelo at super middleweight, it would not only offer massive financial rewards but could also be a fitting capstone to an already storied career.