Nebraska’s Terence Crawford is one of the biggest names in the sport today, with his accomplishments and accolades far-reaching his popularity. However, can the soon-to-be 38-year-old beat former undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez? The world is divided on the potential fight set for September later this year.
However, what’s guaranteed is the fact that the future Hall of Famer will go down in boxing history as one of the greatest pound-for-pound champions. He has not only achieved undisputed status in two different weight classes but also has held titles in four different weight classes. His path to the top was a spectacular one that showcased his impressive skills and determination to be great. So, let’s take a walk down memory lane to discover the greatest moments in Crawford’s career.
Dominating Errol Spence Jr. – Becoming Undisputed at 147 lbs (2023)
Even though ‘Bud’ Crawford was an exceptional boxer from the beginning, his popularity really took off after his dominant win over Errol Spence Jr. Many thought it would be a 50-50 fight, but Crawford shattered those illusions by beating Spence Jr to a pulp. He already held the WBO title, and by taking Spence’s WBC, WBA, and IBF belts, he became the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era. He also became the first male boxer to have undisputed status in two different divisions.
July 27 2023,Las Vegas,Nevadas,Nevada,T-Mobile Arena,Abschlußpressekonferenz,Final press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz Terrence Crawford,Errol Spence Jr,Knospe,Bud Las Vegas Nevada USA Copyright: xTomxHoganx SpenceCrawfordPC_Hoganphotos315
Stopping Julius Indongo – Becoming Undisputed at 140 lbs (2017)
Back on August 19, 2017, Crawford stopped Julius Indongo via 3rd-round knockout to become the first undisputed junior welterweight champion since 2005 in the four-belt era. This was a historic moment for the sport of boxing and a big milestone in Crawford’s career. Adding the fact that it took only three rounds to add Indongo’s WBA and IBF titles to his own WBC and WBO titles made his achievement even bigger.
First World Title – TKO Over Ricky Burns for WBO Lightweight Title (2014)
A boxer’s first world title is always special, and for Crawford, it seemed a little bit more. Back on March 1, 2014, the Nebraska native won his first ever world title by defeating Ricky Burns by unanimous decision. Then 26, Crawford outboxed the respectable veteran to acquire his WBO lightweight title. ‘Bud’ mostly used his jabs and switch-hitting style to outperform Burns, and it became the turning point in his career.
Destroying Kell Brook – Statement KO at Welterweight (2020)
Crawford had come a long way when he fought Kell Brook on November 14, 2020, but there were still critics who were unsure about his abilities. Crawford, on the other hand, knew exactly what he had to do to shut them up. ‘Bud’ demolished Kell Brook in Las Vegas, defending his WBO welterweight title with a Round 4 knockout.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Kell Brook in action during a Media Workout at Sheffield Winter Garden on December 05, 2018 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The emphatic win not only reinforced his dominance at welterweight, but it also proved that he has the power to finish champions. This, of course, silenced every critic who questioned his ability to stop elite opponents at 147 pounds, as this was his first stoppage inside four rounds since 2016.
Stopping Shawn Porter – First Man to KO Porter (2021)
Shawn Porter is a legend of the sport in his own right. Scoring a knockout against Porter was bound to put Crawford on the map—and that’s exactly what he was after. Back on November 20, 2021, Crawford became the first boxer ever to stop the durable Porter in a fight. Crawford landed a left uppercut and a right hook that dropped Porter twice before his father threw in the towel. If his prior wins didn’t convince people, this one cemented his elite status. To add a dominant aura to this win, Porter retired after the fight.
Sensational KO of Yuriorkis Gamboa (2014)
As an undefeated boxer, fighting Terence Crawford is not a good idea, and Yuriorkis Gamboa found that out the hard way. On June 28, 2014, Crawford stopped Gamboa in the 9th round to defend his WBO lightweight title before thousands of fans. The fight turned out to be one of the most exciting performances of Crawford’s career, as he ended Gamboa’s unbeaten run and began his rise as a boxing star.
Beating Viktor Postol – Unifying 140 lbs (2016)
Terence Crawford never fails to shock the public, and the same trait carried on to his unification fight against Ukraine’s Viktor Postol, who was then undefeated. Many had suggested that the then-WBC champion Postol would be too much for the Nebraska native. However, Crawford not only defeated Postol via a unanimous decision but also dominated the Ukrainian by dropping him twice in the fifth round.
Moving Up to 147 – TKO Over Jeff Horn (2018)
Jeff Horn was another undefeated boxer who found himself squaring off against Terence Crawford when the latter was making his debut in the welterweight division on 09 June 2018. Horn had famously defeated legendary Manny Pacquiao a year before fighting Crawford. However, it didn’t save him from meeting the same fate as others. ‘Bud’ secured a 9th round knockout win and Horn’s WBO welterweight title with it.
Stopping Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas (2019)
Despite his dominance thus far, Crawford faced adversity against Egidijus Kavaliauskas. The Lithuanian challenger proved to be a stern test for ‘Bud,’ even rocking the Nebraska native in the 3rd round. However, Crawford rallied quickly, dropping Kavaliauskas in rounds 7 and 9—three times total—before the fight was stopped in the 9th round. Crawford had proved he could work under pressure and adjust to make a comeback.
Dominating Amir Khan – Another Statement Win (2019)
Although Amir Khan was past his prime when he faced Terence Crawford, he was still a notable name to have on the resume. Crawford fought the former unified champion on 20 April 2019, dropping the Brit in the opening round before sealing the victory with a sixth-round technical knockout. It was a shutout—Khan never stood a chance, and Crawford added Khan to his collection of wins.
That said, Terence Crawford certainly isn’t short on big moments in his career. But what about a potential win over Canelo Alvarez? If Crawford manages to defy the odds—as he’s done time and time again—it would stand as the crowning achievement of his career, easily topping this list. Would you agree?
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