Terence Crawford has recalled the biggest crises of his 42-fight career, reflecting on the only time he claims to have ever experienced serious jeopardy in the ring.
The former three-division undisputed champion announced his retirement in December, just a few months after dethroning Canelo Alvarez with a unanimous decision victory at 168lbs.
As a result, ‘Bud’ ended his career after claiming world titles in five weight classes, while also maintaining an unbeaten record and winning the majority of his fights in dominant fashion.
The American did not quite have it all his own way, however, as many will remember his surprisingly challenging encounter with Egidijus Kavaliauskas in 2019.
Ultimately, Crawford won via a ninth-round stoppage, but only after climbing off the canvas in what referee Ricky Gonzalez controversially ruled a no-knockdown during the third frame.
According to Crawford, though, it was down at 135lbs where he was left in genuine trouble by Olympic gold medallist Yuriorkis Gamboa.
When asked on The Real Report to name his hardest fight, ‘Bud’ highlighted a moment in round nine of their 2014 clash as the closest he ever came to getting stopped.
“Gamboa. He just caught me [with a right hand]. [I was] being cocky. My leg got stiff. That’s the only time I’ve ever been hurt that bad in a fight.
“That had a lot to do with the weight, too. Losing all that weight; not being able to get all the fluids back in my brain.
“So, when he caught me, I was like, ‘Damn’.”
While Gamboa – unbeaten at the time – had his man on unsteady legs, Crawford showed tremendous spirit to weather the storm and stop his opponent in the same round.
Gamboa was world featherweight champion prior to the meeting with Crawford, and has a current record of 30-6 after last competing back in May.
