Terence Crawford: The Greatest of All Time?
It’s time to seriously analyze Terence Crawford’s place in boxing history. His recent victory over Canelo Álvarez has ignited the debate about his legacy and his position among the greatest. Crawford, at 37 years old, surpassed Canelo Álvarez, obtaining a unanimous decision victory and becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion. With this triumph, Crawford joins a select group: he is the first male boxer in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed status in three weight categories (super lightweight, welterweight, and super middleweight). If he were to retire after this performance, which would be understandable, he would leave with a record of 42-0, 31 knockouts, a world champion in five divisions (undisputed in three) and a victory over who is widely considered the face of boxing, achieved with relative ease.This performance was different from the one he offered against Errol Spence Jr. in 2023, considered his best performance before the fight with Canelo. On this occasion, instead of violently defeating his opponent, Crawford tactically outmaneuvered the Mexican superstar, who couldn’t believe what was happening as the rounds progressed. Although the performance could be compared to the one Floyd Mayweather offered to a 23-year-old Canelo in 2013, Saturday’s victory could be even more impressive. Crawford baffled his opponent with agile footwork, a constant jab, brilliant punch combinations, and a solid jaw.
If Mayweather is considered the best of his generation and is established as one of the greatest of all time, what does this mean for Crawford? Undoubtedly, he must be considered in the conversation after what he did against Canelo. The pride of Omaha, Nebraska, is the first boxer since Dingaan “The Rose” Thobela to win world titles at lightweight (135 pounds) and super middleweight (168 pounds), and has never had a judge give a fight to his opponent in his 17-year professional career. Mayweather didn’t achieve that feat despite retiring with a 50-0 record. But this isn’t necessarily about comparing Crawford to Mayweather; it’s about comparing Crawford to all the elite boxers of his generation who reside on or near boxing’s Mount Rushmore. If he’s not at the top, he’s right there.I think Crawford is much better than Floyd Mayweather
Canelo Álvarez
First of all, he’s a winner. Secondly, he wins in diverse ways. He can deliver a violent beating, as he did against Spence, Amir Khan, and Jeff Horn, or he can tactically outmaneuver the opposition, as he demonstrated against Canelo and Viktor Postol. There’s not much he can’t do, and he demonstrated every facet of his game against Canelo. Nothing has stopped him: neither weight, nor age, nor skill. He is among the best pound-for-pound boxers we’ve seen.
Crawford didn’t say he would retire from boxing after Saturday, but he has very little left to prove. He has done it all and has left few skeptics as to what he can do. Many thought he was at a disadvantage when he entered the ring, against the backdrop of boos from a crowd mostly in favor of Canelo, and he left with four more belts, while Canelo and his fans shook their heads in disbelief.Who dares deny it now?I’m not going to rub this in anyone’s face. I have all the proof I need right here, on this table
Terence Crawford
