Terence Crawford’s remark about his victory over Canelo Alvarez who earns him a top three place in the list of all pound-by-pounds, has fans who discussed this topic, and many of them believe He is completely ignorant about the history of the sport.
(Credit: Zach Delgado/Matchroom)
Historical naivety
They feel that Crawford does not know about the big ones in the past, which is why they think that a victory over Canelo alone is enough to place him in front of fighters who have done much more in their careers. The big ones of the past not only had two good names on their resumes, as Crawford does. They have plates filled with formidable talent.
In an interview with Manouk AkopyanCrawford (41-0, 31 costs) pointed out that he will essentially turn up three weight classes when he challenges Canelo (62-2-2, 39 COs) for what he predicts the undisputed Super Middleweeight Championship.
It would be impressive if Crawford would beat Canelo to become an undisputed champion of three divisions. Yet it would be difficult to place him strongly because of his limited resume.
Compared to fighters from the past, who have fought excellent opposition through their careers, Terence’s record is almost completely barren on elite positions. He achieved a win over Errol Spence, but not much more on his resume would indicate that he belongs in the top 3 or the top 50 pounds-by-pound of all time.
Top Pond-by-Pond fighters from the past
Sugar Ray Robinson
Muhammad Ali
Oscar de la hoya
Roberto Durán
Henry Armstrong
Willie pep
Pernell whitaker
Floyd Mayweather jr.
Manny Pacquiao
Roy Jones jr.
Sugar Ray Leonard
Julio César Chávez
Jack Johnson
Jack Dempsey
Ezzard Charles
Archie Moore
Sandy Saddler
Ricardo lópez
Carlos Monzón
Bernard Hopkins
It’s just a small list of fighters who set better records than Crawford. Even if Terence did an lead on Canelo on September 13, it would be crazy to place him above these fighters.
Deception or reality?
It is good for a fighter to have confidence, but when their assessment of themselves goes overboard, they come as sad, deceive and out of touch with reality. Crawford’s inflated feeling of his achievements has been there for years.
So it’s not just a new thing. He constantly judged himself at the top, and no one has paid attention until now, because he never fought significant opposition.
At this point, Alvarez is generally considered that he lost his ambition and fought for money only. Crawford is kind of in the same boat. He also does not take the risks. He seems to be focused on getting the biggest payday he can without fighting the most formidable contenders. Canelo is the biggest payday for the Nebraska native.
Canelo currently has three belts, but he is a favorite to pick up the last remaining belt against IBF 168-Pond Champion William Scull on May 3. Crawford only fought once at 154 after moving up from August 14 in August. So it’s hard to really call him a junior middleweight, because it’s experience in the weight class to the one fight against Israil Madrimov.
Crawford did not want to warm up on 168 until he challenges Canelo for his belts in September, but he could have it. It was his choice, and he chose to sit and wait.
Last updated on 03/26/2025
