Mickey Bey’s Blueprint For Terence Crawford Against Canelo Alvarez; Aim For 165-168 Lbs To Preserve Speed And Agility

Trainer Mickey Bey says Terence Crawford shouldn’t come in heavy for his title challenge against unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in September.

(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom)

Bey thinks it’s smarter for Bud to come in lighter at 165 to 168 on the night of the fight. He says Crawford should fight at roughly the same weight he weighs in at because that would allow him to retain his speed against Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs)

Being heavier isn’t going to give Crawford any additional power than what he had at 154 or 147. Adding muscle doesn’t improve power in a lot of cases, especially when a fighter bulks up in a hurry during one training camp. The only time adding extra muscle results in improved power is when a fighter is on PEDs, like with steroids designed for creating strength.

Crawford’s Ideal Weight

“In my opinion, I wouldn’t come in heavy. I’d come in at 165 and at the same weight for the fight. 165 or 168,” said trainer Mickey Bey to MillCity Boxing when asked what weight Terence Crawford should rehydrate to for his fight against unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 13th.

Crawford already looks like he’s been packing on a lot of pounds and appears a lot bigger than he was for his last fight. Training camp obviously hasn’t started. So, perhaps Crawford will trim down, but it doesn’t look like he will. He’s counting on being able to match Alvarez in the size department.

“He shouldn’t need to rehydrate a lot. He should just stay where he’s at. Why would he need to rehydrate a lot when he’s already moving up?” said Bey about Crawford. “I’m talking about in top fighting shape. Yeah, he can weigh. I’m saying Crawford should be under 170 in the ring or at 170.”

Crawford will be slow if he rehydrates to 180+ lbs after making weight for the Canelo fight, and that’s going to work against his ability to move around the ring. The best thing Terence has going for him is his speed and mobility. He’ll be sacrificing a lot of that if he bulks up to the 180s.

Fight Night Weight

“Whatever he feels good at sparring multiple times, that’s what I’d come in at. 168-171, I’d stay within that range. That’s the only factor, him not being too slow. 165 and fight anywhere at the same weight. He’ll probably be 165 or 170 when he fights. He can make 160 very easy or 154, he can make.

“So, he can come in at whatever, like Floyd at 154. With Crawford, when he’s in top shape, he’s probably going to be in the 160s in camp. So, he might as well stay there. In top shape, he’s probably going to be in the low to mid-160s. So, he ain’t going to have to do nothing. I got Crawford by decision,” said Bey.