Former boxing champion, Tim Bradley, has come out swinging at Terence Crawford for avoiding a potential fight with rising star Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. Bradley expressed his frustration with Crawford’s decision to move up to the junior middleweight division to challenge Israil Madrimov for the WBA title, rather than facing Ennis after capturing the undisputed welterweight championship from Errol Spence last July.
Bradley believes that Crawford’s reluctance to face Ennis stems from the fact that Ennis is viewed as a younger, more powerful, and better version of Crawford himself. Fans share this sentiment, indicating that Ennis would pose a significant challenge to Crawford and potentially expose his weaknesses in the ring.
While a fight between Crawford and Ennis would undoubtedly be a fan-favorite match-up, Crawford’s decision to pursue a bout with Madrimov instead is seen as a strategic move to protect his chances of a mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight championship. The financial implications of a fight with Alvarez outweigh the risks of facing Ennis, leading Crawford to prioritize business over legacy in this instance.
Risk of Underestimation
Watching Crawford spar with Andre Ward at half-speed, some analysts fear that he may be underestimating the threat posed by Madrimov. While Crawford’s best chance of victory may lie in a decision win, attempting to knock out Madrimov could leave him vulnerable to counterattacks and potential defeat.
Bradley draws parallels between Crawford’s actions towards Ennis and how Spence treated Crawford earlier in his career. Just as Spence avoided facing Crawford until he held a belt, Crawford appears to be dodging Ennis in favor of pursuing more lucrative opportunities, mirroring the behaviors of those who came before him in the sport.
With Crawford approaching 37 years old and having faced limited high-level competition in recent years, the decision to evade Ennis can be seen as a pragmatic choice to safeguard his health and career longevity. Ennis, known for his youth, speed, and power, represents a significant threat to Crawford’s legacy and could potentially hasten his decline in the sport.
While fans and analysts alike may be disappointed by Terence Crawford’s decision to bypass a fight with Jaron Ennis in favor of challenging Israil Madrimov, it is essential to acknowledge the complexities that underlie such choices in the world of professional boxing. As Crawford navigates his career and pursues opportunities that align with his financial and strategic interests, it remains to be seen how his legacy will be shaped by the fights he chooses to take and those he opts to avoid.