When Terence Crawford brought up Israil Madrimov's name during his news conference for his bout against Canelo Alvarez in New York today, commentator Max Kellerman put him on the defensive. Crawford's Canelo Move Is Challenged by Kellerman Kellerman questioned Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) on why, following a difficult debut at 154 against Madrimov last August, he is jumping straight up to 168 for the Canelo fight rather than competing in the 160-lb division. Crawford downplayed the difficult battle he had with the former WBA 154-pound champion Madrimov and made a face when it was brought up. In actuality, he was arguably defeated, but the three judges saved him by awarding him victories of 115-113, 116-112, and 115-113. Crawford's performance demonstrated that he is not a top fighter at 154 and would probably lose a rematch with Madrimov. Many of the other fighters at 154, like Bakhram Murtazaliev, Sebastian Fundora, and Vergil Ortiz, would also pose significant challenges for him. It's not unexpected that Crawford jumped directly to 168 for the Canelo fight, bypassing the 160-pound class after that performance. He would have faced Janibek Alimkhanuly, the top fighter in the division, if he had advanced to middleweight. It wouldn't be good for him. For a little, elderly fighter like Crawford, Janibek would be a nightmare because of his superior strength over Madrimov. Why did Crawford skip the middleweight bout? "Why are you jumping up and skipping a division?" asked Max Kellerman. Junior middleweight is all you need to know. Madrimov put you in the best bout of your career at junior middleweight. Madrimov was the toughest opponent you faced. Put an end to that. Who? You faced a more formidable opponent than Madrimov. Terence Crawford: "Hey, if you guys think that was a hard battle, then woo." "Well, you've been destroying most of the guys you've fought," said Kellerman. He fought hard for you. In order to advance to face a man who has dominated that weight class for ten years, you are forgoing middleweight with no rehydration clause or anything similar. Why do it this way? Crawford: "Why not?" We know why Crawford went directly to Canelo instead of middleweight. The cash. He would probably lose to Janibek via knockout, and the $50 million he receives for fighting Canelo would be far less than the payout.