The boxing world is buzzing with a startling warning as Jermall Charlo dropped a bombshell today, cautioning Terence Crawford with a blunt four-word prophecy: “Crawford will be slow!” The declaration, aimed at the upcoming mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez, draws from the pitfalls his brother Jermell faced, igniting fresh debate ahead of the September showdown.
Charlo’s Stark Warning
At 01:30 PM EST today, during a press conference in Las Vegas ahead of his own fight, Jermall Charlo, the former WBC middleweight champ with a 33-0 record, unleashed his critique. “Crawford will be slow!” he declared, pointing to his brother Jermell’s 2023 loss to Canelo as a cautionary tale. “Jermell bulked up to 168, thought he’d match Canelo’s size, and it killed his speed. Crawford’s doing the same mistake—moving up two weights without prep. He’ll feel it on September 13th.”
Jermall, preparing to face Thomas LaManna this weekend, elaborated, “My brother told me himself—getting massive slowed his reflexes. Crawford’s smaller frame won’t handle Canelo’s power if he’s sluggish. He should’ve tuned up at 168 first.” The warning comes as Crawford, 37, prepares to leap from welterweight to super middleweight to challenge Canelo, following his grueling win over Israil Madrimov in August 2024.
The Context of the Clash
The stakes are sky-high for Crawford’s September 13th bout at Allegiant Stadium, where he’ll face Canelo, the undisputed super middleweight king with a 63-2-2 record. Jermell’s unanimous decision loss to Canelo in 2023, marked by a seventh-round knockdown, highlighted the risks of weight gain, a lesson Jermall now urges Crawford to heed. Fans on social media are split—“Jermall’s right, Crawford’s in trouble!” versus “Bud will adapt, he always does!”
Canelo, 35, has remained undefeated at 168, his dominance fueled by his ability to exploit slower opponents. Crawford’s decision to skip a tune-up fight at the new weight class has raised eyebrows, with Jermall suggesting money, not strategy, drives the move.
Reactions and Fallout
The MMA and boxing communities are abuzz. Terence Crawford has yet to respond, but his camp might rethink their approach. Analysts note Crawford’s technical brilliance could counter Canelo’s power, but Jermall’s insight—backed by Jermell’s own admission—casts doubt. “If Crawford loses his edge, Canelo will feast,” one pundit warned. The warning has shifted odds slightly, with Canelo now favored at -300.
What’s Next?
As UFC 318 looms, Jermall’s warning adds fuel to the fire. Will Crawford prove his doubters wrong, or will Jermall’s prediction come true? The octagon holds the answer.
What do you think? Will Crawford’s speed hold, or will Canelo capitalize on a slow night? Share your thoughts below!
