The Road to the Big Fight: Crawford, Canelo, and the Legacy of Boxing
Carl Washington, Terence “Bud” Crawford’s trainer, made it clear: “I was the one who got him to fight against Canelo.” About three weeks before the expected battle, and possibly the last of its kind, the excitement was palpable in the atmosphere. Crawford, according to Washington, sought this fight for years, an opportunity to demonstrate his greatness against the modern face of boxing: Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
Washington, who has known Crawford since his beginnings at the CW Boxing Club in Omaha, Nebraska, recounts how young Bud dreamed of facing Canelo. “I wanted you and your grandchildren to be able to retire,” Washington told Crawford, foretelling a future of success.
In the CW Boxing Club, as the young boxers prepare for their training, Washington recalls Crawford’s determination from his early days. “Bud was a tough kid,” he states, recounting how frustration and anger brought him to tears in his first fight. “I told everyone he would be a world champion,” Washington remembers.
Even though Crawford now trains at his own gym, the CW Boxing Club remains the starting point, the place where few outside of Omaha knew his name. Washington and his team patiently waited for a fight like this, overcoming the political barriers of boxing that limited Crawford. With his unique talent, capable of switching stances mid-rounds, this fight against Canelo represented the opportunity to prove his worth.
Washington proudly displays a “historic wall” dedicated to Crawford in the gym. There, photographs and newspaper clippings illustrate the boxer’s trajectory, from his beginnings to his path to success. A childhood photo of Crawford, with oversized gloves and an intense gaze, is a reminder of the dream come true. This photo, kept in the family Bible, is a testament to Washington’s faith in Crawford’s future.
Canelo Álvarez, for his part, is preparing at the UFC GYM in Reno, Nevada, for the most important fight of his career. With the air conditioning turned off at his request, Canelo concentrates on refining his strategy. Aware of the magnitude of the event, the Mexican boxer knows that an injury or a defeat could cost millions of dollars.
Canelo, turned into a global brand, prepares for a fight that will be broadcast through Netflix, reaching millions of subscribers worldwide. For Canelo, losing is unacceptable, and this fight represents a crucial challenge in his career.In Reno, a historical marker commemorates the fight between Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries in 1910, an event marked by racial tension. The fight, held in a context of inequality and discrimination, generated riots and violence across the country. The legacy of Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion, remains a symbol of struggle and resistance.Technological evolution and the transmission of major fights have gone hand in hand. From cinema to radio and television, each technological advance has transformed the way the public enjoys boxing. In 2018, the streaming platform DAZN signed a millionaire contract with Canelo, marking a new milestone in the history of the sport.
On the eve of the fight, Juanito Ornelas, who was expected to compete on the card, was replaced. Ornelas, disillusioned, reflects on the cruelty of the boxing business and the fleeting nature of opportunities. Despite the disappointment, Ornelas remembers his dream of honoring his brother, a professional boxer. Ornelas’s story is a reminder of the sacrifices and difficulties faced by many boxers.Anticipation grows as Canelo and Crawford prepare for the showdown. Months of promotion, training, and expectations culminate in the moment of truth. The boxing world awaits with anticipation the sound of the bell, which will begin the battle that will define the legacy of both boxers.
