Terence Crawford says he would have ended rival’s career if they fought: “He can’t tie my shoes”

Kerr Ferguson

Terence Crawford says he would have ended rival’s career if they fought: “He can’t tie my shoes”
Image credit: Getty

Terence Crawford has addressed some criticism levelled at him since retirement.

The five-weight world champion hung up the gloves late last year following an impressive victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, stepping away from the sport undefeated and with a record-breaking legacy.

Despite most commending the timing of his decision to retire, some believe ‘Bud’ should have stuck around to test himself against the new generation, namely Jaron Ennis.

In a series of social media posts, Crawford appeared to reference an interview with ‘Boots’ Ennis in which the 28-year-old says he would have been confident of winning via knockout should the fight have materialised.

Crawford added that he ‘ducked or turned down’ a challenge. Though he suggested that this was not directed at Ennis, he swiftly added that the rising star’s career would have been ‘ended’ had they fought.

“How did y’all get Boots outta anything I just said? That’s crazy how y’all play like y’all like him, but wanted me [to] end his career before it started because that’s definitely what would of happened.”

The three-weight undisputed champion then said Ennis could not lace his boots.

‘Boots’ won the interim IBF welterweight title around the same time Crawford was becoming undisputed in the division by beating Errol Spence. He was later upgraded to full champion when ‘Bud’ moved up in weight.

With the fight completely off the table, Ennis now focuses on carving his own legacy in the sport. In June, he has the opportunity to become a two-division unified world champion when he faces Xander Zayas for the Puerto Rican’s WBO and WBA belts at super-welterweight. It is a fight ‘Bud’ has backed ‘Boots’ to win.

More stories