We are quickly approaching the point where Terence Crawford is 'out of his prime' by any standard

No one typically knows a fighter's prime until after their career.

 

When you're so low mileage sometimes the growth of experience can overcome the declining physical gifts, but that gets him to maybe 36 1/2.

Spence vs Crawford is shaping up to be a disappointing echo of Mayweather vs Pacquiao. Except then we were coming off a long run of very good fights from that cohort, if we ever get Spence vs Crawford it will be very exciting because we haven't seen much in the glamourest of glamour divisions for a long time.

 

He could very well retire with Shawn Porter being his best win.

Tremendous waste of a career.

 

Bernard Hopkins was still in his absolute prime at from 32-38 years old.

Based on their outside of the ring activities, I expect Bud to stay prime a few years longer than Spence. That car crash took a toll on his longevity.

 

Post of the day!

 

I think the drinking of Spence is far more damaging than the accident.

 

Crawford has the physical makeup of an ATG (ambidextrous, able to make a ridiculously low weight, and he's got stretch armstrong arms) and a great mentality for training.

It just seems like he's content with what he's got and hates making Bob Arum money more than he likes making himself money.

 

Crawford needs to engage in more top tier fights. He is wasting his career and at 35 that is a concern.

 

Crawford is faiirly low mileage however comparing to Hopkins is flawed to say the least.

Crawford is an individuel therefore his age potential is at this point is unknown.

We cannot compare to say Hopkins because he is an extreme of what is possible rather than the norm.

However older age does not favour the lighter weights historically.

As such time is limited for Crawford hopefully the fight with Spence gets made sooner rather than later.

Otherwise it will be a case of wasted potential.

 

It's another factor for sure.

 

Actually watched TC v Postol this morning.
His footwork and accuracy of his power shots were seriously A+ stuff. Postol was very highly thought of boxer at that time.
I think Bud gets hit a lot more these days but he is more aggressive now.
He may've already started to deteriorate but it would take a keener eye than mine too determine that.
I honestly think he scares the s**t out of some fighters, corners and promoters.
Haymon did a great job of freezing Bud out and delegitimizing his credibility with potential fans for 3 years. Big Al has enough names at 147 to do that.
It's a pity b/c Spence v Crawford is overcooked and will never be what it could've been. Other potential fights with Danny Garcia and Keith part time Thurman have died on the vine.

 

The whole you can't be in your prime when you're 35 was just a racket started by GGG fans to make excuses for why he lost to Canelo. Age is just a number. Mayweather was still in his prime when he beat Canelo at 36, Hopkins was still in his prime in his late 30s. Every fighter is different, fighters peak at different times. The idea that once you turn 35 you automatically can't be in your prime anymore is just silly. This whole idea was born out of GGG fans who couldn't cope with what happened when he fought Canelo so they made this whole thing about GGG no longer being in his prime "because he was 35" as an excuse for why he couldn't beat Canelo. Crawford hasn't showed any signs of slowing down, he's as good now as he ever was, and for all we know he still hasn't peaked. Like others have said, he hasn't had the kind of mileage or tough fights that other fighters have had, Crawford will probably remain in his prime for several years. Maybe when he's 37 or 38 he'll start to slow down.

 

That’s why Spence is running away in interviews, no more excuses but he will continue to age out Crawford

 

Right now, I'd say he's closer to his best than Spence who has been through a serious car crash and then an eye operation in recent years in any case.

I hope the fight takes place next year, but if it's early next year I doubt Spence will be fully recovered as of yet so better during the second half.