Former WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson, has strongly advised Terence Crawford to stay away from pursuing a clash with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Crawford cemented himself as the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet with a dominating display against Errol Spence Jr last month, knocking out his rival in the long-awaited undisputed welterweight bout.
And despite initially denying the opportunity, the 35-year-old has now threatened to move up three divisions to face the winner of Canelo- Jermell Charlo in a bid to become an undisputed champion in a third weight-class.
In an interview with Boxing News, Nelson was very much of the opinion that weight-classes are there for a reason and that the American should re-consider his decision if he wishes to maintain both his abilities and his legacy in the sport.
“Don’t do it. Don’t do it, man. Listen, it’s that simple, don’t do it. Canelo is a naturally strong fighter, naturally strong. Terence [Crawford] is a skilled fighter, but so is Canelo. So, if you’re in against another skilled, talented, bigger-punching fighter, you are going to get you’re a**e bust.”
“We saw it before with Roy Jones, he stepped up to heavyweight and came back down, he was never the same fighter again. I wouldn’t do it, but he knows what he is capable of doing, it just wouldn’t be my call, personally.”
Before talks for the bizarre yet intriguing showdown can truly get underway, Crawford’s 168lbs opponent must be decided.
Canelo will face another undisputed champion in Charlo, who reigns supreme at super-welterweight, on September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.