Boxing
Terence Crawford’s two greatest victories are marked with asterisks
Published
1 month agoon
Terence Crawford seems tired of repeating the same conversation.
After years of chasing the biggest names in boxing, Crawford finally secured victories over Errol Spence Jr. and Canelo Alvarez, and his two victories were instrumental in bringing him into the great generational conversation about boxing.
However, both performances have since been embroiled in injury debates that continue to influence the way the victories are remembered.
Crawford made it clear he was feeling frustrated this week.
“I continue to wish Errol Spence all the best in his upcoming fight. I see what you are all trying to do, but it won’t work, not this time,” Crawford wrote.
A few hours earlier, Crawford had posted a more forceful warning.
“It’s better if I stay alone. Don’t make me show you why.”
Same debate, different opponent
The fresh debate began when Spence discussed his July 2023 fight ahead of his July 26 return in Australia.
At the time, Crawford was widely praised for one of the best performances of his career, becoming the undisputed welterweight champion.
However, the discussion gradually changed as Spence revealed details about his condition before entering the ring.
In an interview with Andre Ward on the Art of Ward podcast, Spence admitted that he had not sparred for six or seven weeks before the fight.
“Like I wasn’t sparring. Like the guys didn’t belong. I didn’t have any southpaws there to spar or anything.”
Spence also outlined deeper issues outside the gym.
“I basically lived a bad life, bro.”
He added: “The whole camp was just a messed up situation.”
These comments added to previous reports about Spence’s eye problems and his recovery from two earnest car crashes, creating the argument that Crawford was facing a compromised version of the former unified champion.
Below are some questions about Canelo
A remarkably similar discussion surrounds Crawford’s win over Canelo last September.
Trainer Eddy Reynoso revealed that Canelo was already struggling with an elbow problem that later required surgery before his match with Crawford.
The Mexican star has already undergone the procedure and is back to full fitness.
Whether or not the injury significantly impacted the fight is a matter of opinion.
What is beyond dispute is that Crawford’s next career-defining victory is now judged as much by the state of his opponent as by the winner’s performance.
For the second time in two of the most legacy-defining victories, attention focused on what was wrong with the man standing across the ring.
Crawford’s Battle
Crawford’s reaction is not surprising given the constant backlash against his resume during his tenure.
The debate does not focus on the collateral victories deeply rooted in his legacy. It focuses on Errol Spence and Canelo Alvarez, the two victories most often cited in Crawford’s elevation to pound-for-pound king.
If these victories remain intact, it will become almost impossible to argue against Crawford as an all-time champion. If they are constantly accompanied by discussions about injuries, indigent preparation or physical decline, achievements will inevitably come under greater scrutiny.
The reality is that Spence and Canelo are not just two names on Crawford’s resume. It was these two wins that did the most to elevate him into the all-time boxing conversation.
If you completely discount those wins, Crawford’s record suddenly becomes much thinner than the GOAT’s.
Crawford did everything asked of him, beating Spence and Canelo when the opportunity finally presented itself.
However, both victories continue to spark debate about the fitness of their opponents rather than the genius of the man who defeated them.
Regardless of which side fans argue, Crawford remains on track to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and veteran boxing reporter with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has been interviewing world champions, breaking down international titles exclusively and reporting from the ring. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.
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Boxing
KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News
Published
11 hours agoon
July 31, 2026
Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.
Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.
Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.
New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.
“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.
“I told Keith [Connolly]I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.]you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”
Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.
He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.
In an interview with The RingBerlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.
“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”
Eubank maintains that he is currently a free agentbut it is unclear whether he is still contracted to Boxxer, with promoter Ben Shalom appearing to believe that their deal has not expired.
Boxing
Terence Crawfords Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included
Published
1 day agoon
July 30, 2026
Terence Crawford has cemented himself amongst boxing’s all-time greats with a number of iconic wins and title triumphs. When asked to name his own top five fighters, ‘Bud’ felt three former heavyweight champions have earned their places.
Crawford made history when he dethroned Canelo Alvarez and captured the undisputed super-middleweight world title last September, becoming the first post-war three-weight undisputed titleholder.
Soon after that generational win, the Omaha switch-hitter announced his retirement from the sport, walking away with an astonishing career that consisted of 42 victories and no defeats; considered to be one of the best boxers to have hung up the gloves with an undefeated record.
On The Real Report podcast with Tony Yayo and Uncle MurdaCrawford named only one unbeaten fighter amongst his all-time top five. Instead, the 38-year-old gave props to three former heavyweight world champions: Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr and Joe Louis.
“I got to put [Muhammad] Ali up there. I got to put Sugar Ray Robinson, I got to put Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. I’ve definitely got to put Floyd Mayweather in and I’ll probably put Joe Louis.”
Ali and Louis spent their entire legendary careers competing at heavyweight, while Jones Jr competed in the banner division just once, becoming the first former world middleweight champion to capture world heavyweight gold in over a century.
As for Crawford, despite announcing his decision to retire, he continues to be called out by active fighters, with Ryan Garcia becoming the latest to call for a shot at putting an end to the veteran’s unbeaten streak.
Boxing
James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut
Published
1 day agoon
July 30, 2026
James Dean Fury has always loved boxing, basically since he was born, but it was only when he started training with his uncle, Peter Fury, that he really began to understand the sport.
Given his name, it is hardly surprising that the latest Fury to turn professional has been immersed in boxing for all of his 20 years.
In fact, the super-middleweight prospect tells Boxing News that he struggles to recall a time when he was involved in anything else.
“I’ve been around the sport all my life; was born and bred into it. So my first activity, as a kid, was obviously boxing.
“When I was born, my mum and dad bought me a pair of gloves and a rope – like a little boxing kit for babies – and, when I first walked into the gym, I just fell in love with it. I loved getting punched in the face and punching other people in the face.
“From around seven or eight years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. I believe God put me on this planet to fight because, when I’m not boxing, there’s nothing else for me to do.”
It is one thing developing a passion for something, like boxing, but learning how to succeed at something is another matter entirely.
Fortunately, James Dean Fury did not have to go searching far and wide for a knowledgeable teacher, yet still he needed to prove worthy of such valuable tutelage.
“When I started training with my uncle Peter at 13 years old, he really opened my eyes and gave me a clear understanding of where I want to go.
“If I sat here and told you everything I’ve learned off my uncle Peter, we’d be here till Christmas.
“But when I was about 14 years old, he tested me. He put me in a trailer [caravan]just to see if I was really dedicated. Then he took me on full-time.”
As a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, it is fair to say that James Dean Fury has proved a receptive student.
But now, the young Fury must go one step further and establish himself in the pro ranks, starting with his Boxxer debut on August 8.
Having inked a deal with Ben Shalom’s promotional outfithe will feature on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2, hoping to show fans that he possesses the indigents to win a world title.
“I’ve always been competitive – whether I’m running a race, at a school sports day or playing a board game … I want to win.
“And when it comes to fighting – something I’ve put my whole life into – please, believe me, I will win. I’ve sacrificed everything for this.”
With such competitive spirit, even the attention that comes with his family name does not seem to faze the cousin of a two-time heavyweight champion.
“Whoever you jump in the ring with, they’re going to try and take your head off. No one’s in there to have a dance with me, especially when they hear my name. We’re in the hurt game.”
It might be a cliché, but James Dean clearly does have boxing in his DNA, along with a fierce desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
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