The Pros And Cons Of A Terence Crawford Vs. Erislandy Lara Title Grab

Sergio Mora says Terence Crawford ought to transfer all the way down to 160 and struggle Erislandy Lara subsequent for his WBA middleweight title to turn into a six-division world champion. He believes a win for Crawford over Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) would put him in the identical class legacy-wise as Roberto Duran, Hank Armstrong, and Sugar Ray Robinson.

Lara hasn’t fought in a 12 months since his ninth-round stoppage win over Danny Garcia on September 14, 2024. Furthermore, Lara is 42 years outdated and can flip 43 on April 11. Given his age, it could be troublesome to draw followers to subscribe to Netflix in large numbers to look at a conflict between him and Crawford.

What would make a struggle with Erislandy Lara even worse is that if Crawford chooses to go on an prolonged victory lap for a 12 months or extra as a substitute of coming again on the finish of 2025. If Crawford waits till September 2026 earlier than he fights once more, Lara will likely be a 12 months older and will likely be 43. That might tarnish a victory for Crawford.

The Pursuit of Six Divisions

“Crawford can choose up a strap in opposition to Erislandy Lara to turn into a six-division world champion,” mentioned boxing analyst Sergio Mora to Chris Mannix’s channel about who Terence Crawford can struggle subsequent. “Crawford, the $50 million that he made, he’s by no means going to make that once more.”

The Monetary Downside

It will possible be a dramatic pay lower that Bud could be coping with if he had been to struggle Lara subsequent, somewhat than a rematch with Canelo or a dangerous struggle in opposition to David Benavidez. That lower in pay might make Crawford reluctant to struggle Erislandy. It’s Mora that thinks its a terrific concept, not Crawford.

“Terence Crawford would put the type of beating on Erislandy Lara like one he would always remember. He’s not the Erislandy Lara that fought Canelo in 2014. I don’t know who’s placing up the money for that struggle,” mentioned Mannix.

Lara’s Declining Type

Lara appeared sluggish, stiff, and outdated in his final struggle in opposition to Danny Garcia in September 2024. He doesn’t look something just like the fighter he’d been when he misplaced to Canelo by a controversial 12-round break up choice on July 12, 2014.

Crawford isn’t doing himself any favors by rejecting a struggle in opposition to David Benavidez, as a result of he’s maybe the one possibility on the market moreover a Canelo rematch the place he can get a large payday. Turki Alalahikh wouldn’t have talked about Benavidez after the struggle if he wasn’t already viewing him as probably the most marketable struggle for Crawford.

Choices Past Lara

David Benavidez
Dmitry Bivol
Jaron Ennis
Canelo Alvarez