ESTABLISHED as the standout welterweight, and arguable super-lightweight, of this generation, Terence Crawford’s thirst for legacy remains unquenched.
The Omaha-born sensation is now poised for his toughest test to date – a clash against Canelo Alvarez, 62-2-2 (39 KOs), assumably for the undisputed super-middleweight throne.
Having never fought above 154lbs, Crawford, 41-0 (31 KOs), is gearing up for an unprecedented jump up in weight that would represent one of the greatest victories of all-time – and the 37-year-old southpaw has now revealed where he believes such a win would position him amongst the sport’s elite.
‘Bud’ became the first multi-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era when he famously and brutally disposed of welterweight rival Errol Spence Jr. in 2023, five years on from his triumphs in the super-lightweight division.
Last year, Crawford achieved further accolades as he stepped up to super-welterweight and became a four-weight world champion, outpointing Israil Madrimov for the WBA marble in a closely fought battle that was presumably designed to aid the American’s gradual move up to 168lbs.
Patiently awaiting the official confirmation of the worst kept secret in the sport, Crawford is continuing to pile on the weight and build a frame suitable for the super-middleweight division.
Alvarez, meanwhile, will face IBF champion William Scull in May, bidding to reclaim the undisputed title ahead of his well-reported clash with Crawford in September.
Speaking with Manouk Akopyan, Crawford explained his belief that a victory over the Mexican would thrust him into the conversation as a top three fighter of all-time, likening his quest for greatness to the conquests of Henry Armstrong, 149-21-10 (99 KOs), who simultaneously held the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight world titles in 1938.
“When I beat Canelo Alvarez, I think that I am going to be one of the top three pound-for-pound best fighters ever,” he told Akopyan.
“I think that Canelo is up there with the all-time greats too and I already look at myself as an all-time great but, to essentially move up three weight classes and dethrone a soon-to-be undisputed 168lb champion, without even stepping foot in that weight class, or the weight class below – it’s like some Henry Armstrong stuff.
“It’s going to be an amazing fight. They always say that you never see a great small guy beat a great big guy, and I want to change that narrative.”
When quizzed on the two men who would stand alongside himself on the all-time pound-for-pound podium, Crawford declared that he would join legends Sugar Ray Robinson, 174-19-6 (109 KOs), and Muhammad Ali, 56-5 (37 KOs), admitting that the positions of his iconic and immovable countrymen are ‘stamped’.
“I think that Sugar Ray Robinson and [Muhammad] Ali [are the other two that I’d say would be alongside me in the pound-for-pound top three of all-time],” he added.
“I think that those two are stamped, Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson – I don’t think those spots will ever be taken.”
Canelo takes on Scull on Saturday, May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with an announcement for the legacy-defining collision against Crawford expected to be formally revealed during the aftermath.
