Pundit Andre Ward acquired on his soapbox to argue that Terence Crawford needs to be within the combine to be thought of the Face of Boxing. Ward feels that Crawford’s reputation places him in the identical class as Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis for the Face of the game.
Ward’s inclusion of Crawford within the Face of Boxing combine is not sensible until he’s confused about what it means. It is sensible to incorporate Crawford within the pound-for-pound discussions as a result of he’s regarded good in sure fights, however he’s not a PPV draw or a fighter that sells seats.
The PPV Kings: Canelo and Tank
Mexican celebrity Canelo continues to be the king of PPV within the U.S., and Gervonta is trailing behind him. His final struggle in opposition to Frank Martin introduced in 350K.
Earlier than that, Tank did 1.2 million in opposition to Ryan Garcia, however these numbers had been as a consequence of Kingry’s reputation. Canelo’s final struggle in opposition to Jaime Munguia was 560K, which is way larger than Tank’s latest match in opposition to Martin.
“Once I consider the Face of Boxing, I take into consideration Canelo Alvarez, Gervonta Davis, however then you can also’t pass over Terence Crawford,” mentioned pod host Andre Ward to All of the Smoke, together with Terence Crawford within the Face of Boxing combine, though he can’t promote out stadiums or herald PPV buys.
Age, Type, and Fan Attire
Crawford, 36, has fought solely annually since 2020 and might’t promote out stadiums or herald PPV buys until he’s combating Errol Spence. Earlier than combating Errol final 12 months, if introduced in 700K PPVs, Crawford’s highest numbers had been the 150K for a match in opposition to Amir Khan in 2019.
In Crawford’s final struggle in opposition to Israil Madrimov on August third, it’s rumored to have pulled in between 75K to 100K PPV buys. These are effectively wanting what Canelo Alvarez and Tank Davis are doing for his or her fights.
Crawford’s drawback is that he’s getting outdated. He’s been combating annually, and his fashion isn’t fan-friendly. He regarded good in opposition to the pale Errol Spence, however he didn’t look spectacular in opposition to Madrimov of their chess match, and he’s been uninteresting to observe in a lot of his different fights. I can depend on one hand the variety of entertaining fights Crawford has had throughout his profession, and that’s the rationale he’s not the Face of Boxing.
Crawford is extra of a boxer, not a brawler or knockout artist like Canelo and Tank Davis. To be a giant star within the U.S. on this period, you’ve acquired to be entertaining to observe by going for knockouts.
Shifting Fan Enchantment
The Mayweather period is over, and followers have modified. They’ve develop into accustomed to seeing knockouts within the UFC and anticipate pure leisure when watching boxing occasions.
Crawford is in the identical boat as Mayweather and Shakur Stevenson, having a mode that doesn’t appeal to followers on this period.
