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Danny Jacobs supports Terence Crawford in overcoming his size advantage over Canelo Alvarez

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Image: Danny Jacobs Backs Terence Crawford to Overcome Size Disadvantage Against Canelo Alvarez

Former middleweight champion Danny Jacobs believes Terence Crawford has the technical skills to close the gap and defeat the bigger, stronger and undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez next year.

Jacobs believes former three-weight world champion Crawford (40-0, 31 KO) has enough talent to move up two weight classes from 154 and compete with Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KO) in weighing 168 in 2025.

First, Crawford must win a fight against Israil Madrimov, the WBA junior middleweight champion, on Aug. 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Jacobs believes it will be a “tough” fight for Crawford because of Madrimov’s strength and talent, who is bigger and stronger than anyone Bud has faced in his 16-year career.

Crawford’s Age and Weight Jump

Jacobs didn’t mention Crawford’s age factor, as he turns 37 in September and isn’t the adolescent chicken he once was. Crawford, who hails from Nebraska, is roughly the same age as Jacobs, who is also seen as past his prime. It’s too tardy for Crawford to risk a weight change, especially after a long layoff of over a year.

“Sometimes skill pays the bills, and we know Crawford has skill, and so does Canelo,” Danny Jacobs said Fighting Hub TV that Terence Crawford has the technical skills to defeat the bigger, undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez if or if they face off in 2025.

Crawford’s upcoming test against Madrimov

Skill often pays off for fighters who fight outside their natural weight class, but this is a huge jump in weight for Crawford from his last fight at 147 pounds against Errol Spence on July 29, 2023. Crawford would move up from welterweight to super middleweight by 21 pounds. Although Crawford fights at 154 pounds against Madrimov on August 3, he will still jump 14 pounds to face Canelo in 2025.

Ideally, Crawford should stop at 160 and fight someone in a transition fight to ease his transition to the next level. Crawford’s ideal middleweight fight would be against IBF/WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly. If Crawford wins this fight, he could move up to 168 to challenge Canelo for his four belts.

“Sometimes it’s strength, weight and experience. So it’s going to be a good test for Crawford, but if that fight goes well, the fans will be the winner,” Jacobs continued about the Canelo vs. Crawford match.

Extorting money or a legal competition?

If Crawford hadn’t fought someone at 160 or 168 pounds, showing he could compete with fighters in those two weight classes, the fight between him and Canelo would have looked more like a money fight, a circus-level spectacle seen by fight fans of British powerlifters Anthony’ Joshua and Tyson Fury’s egos with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

For this to have any sporting value, Crawford should fight someone highly ranked at 168 like David Benavidez, David Morrell or Christian Mbilli before he faces Canelo. It is not fair to the paying fans that Crawford will move up two weight classes to challenge Canelo for the undisputed championship without at least beating someone well-known at 168 to prove he deserves a title shot.

“But Crawford is having a complex time right now [WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd]Jacobs said. “I will be in the building supporting him tonight. I’m a huge fan of his and I look forward to all his achievements.”

It will be fascinating to see what approach Crawford takes against Madrimov, because if he’s in the pocket against him like he was in his last two fights against Errol Spence and David Avanesyan. These guys aren’t even half as talented, forceful and adolescent as Madrimov.

“It is possible. We’ve seen it time and time again and we’ve seen the opposite,” Jacobs said of Crawford having the skills to close the gap and make up for what he lacks in size and strength against Canelo.

Crawford’s approach and Mayweather’s plan

Crawford could follow in Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s footsteps and beat Canelo by punching, throwing, and moving for twelve rounds, but that would be uninteresting for the fans. Given Canelo’s popularity, the judges are unlikely to give Crawford a decision if he doesn’t sit on his punches.

Erislandy Lara was no match for Canelo as he followed Mayweather’s game plan, landing punches and moving throughout the twelve rounds. The judges gave the win to Canelo because his punches were cleaner and had more power. If Crawford decides to trade punches with Canelo, the risk of him getting caught in the chunky of it and getting knocked out is high.

168 will be another novel class for Crawford, and he’s already very venerable for such a gigantic jump in weight. Again, in a year where Crawford has been out of the ring, celebrating his biggest career win against Spence could hurt him in the fight against Madrimov.

If Crawford takes another year off after the Madrimov fight, which is quite likely considering the fact that Crawford only competes once a year, his chances of beating Canelo will decrease.

“Tyson Fury, he was actually a lighter guy in the amateurs and he grew into a speedy heavyweight, so he was able to adapt. It’s about seeing, knowing and actually getting there and getting the experience. But it will be a good test for Crawford in the upcoming Madrimova [fight]”Jacobs said.

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The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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