Boxing
Terence Crawford’s two greatest victories are marked with asterisks
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.
Oscar De La Hoya says Golden Boy Promotions is making progress toward resolving its contract dispute with Vergil Ortiz Jr. and the undefeated junior middleweight is expected to return to the ring before the end of the year.
Ortiz has been inactive since tardy 2025 after a disagreement with Golden Boy that derailed plans to fight Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing fighters step into the ring and perform. Vergil Ortiz is one of the best fighters in the world. I hate not seeing him fight,” De La Hoya said during Saturday’s DAZN broadcast on Golden Boy.
“Do I want to resolve this? Definitely a thousand percent. Did they make a mistake? Did we make a mistake? No. There was a misunderstanding, everything is fine. Eric Gomez is talking to Rick Mirigian and we’re making it happen.”
De La Hoya said Golden Boy expects the situation to be resolved under the terms of Ortiz’s existing contract with the company.
“We have the original agreement that was made. Let’s say outsiders are trying to disrupt everything, but we have the contracts, we have the relationships, we have Vergil Ortiz,” De La Hoya said.
“We’ve had him since he was a kid, since he started boxing professionally. We feel like we’re very close and Vergil Ortiz will be fighting this year.”
Ortiz last fought in November 2025, defeating Erickson Lubin in two rounds. After the fight, Ortiz and Ennis met face-to-face in the ring, and plans for a high-profile fight gained momentum before a contract dispute halted negotiations.
Ortiz is 24-0 with 22 knockouts and remains one of the top contenders in the junior middleweight division. De La Hoya’s comments indicate that discussions between Golden Boy president Eric Gomez and Ortiz advisor Rick Mirigian are ongoing and both sides are working to reach an agreement.
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Last updated: 21/06/2026 at 2:25
The opening round was largely a feel-good round, with Collazo maintaining the advantage. Just 15 seconds into the second round, Collazo landed a left wing to the body that sent Valdez down the court for an eight count by referee Thomas Taylor.
Moments later, another body shot from Collazo knocked Valdez down again. After the second knockdown, Valdez’s corner signaled that they had seen enough and the fight was stopped at 2:35 of the second round.
Gallardo wins the foul-filled co-main event
In the co-main event, Yair Gallardo (12-0, 9 KO) defeated Buneet Bisla (14-2, 7 KO) in 10 rounds to win the vacant WBO NABO delicate heavyweight title.
Bisla was successful on counters in the first rounds while Gallardo pushed forward behind the high guard. The fight was frequently interrupted by clinching, with Bisla repeatedly tying up Gallardo as exchanges developed.
Gallardo began to have more success in the middle rounds. In the seventh, he landed a few punches to the body and then rocked Bisla with a left hook to the chin, after which Bisla caught himself and went to the canvas.
The hold continued throughout the final rounds, with referee Gerard White allowing the action to continue without issuing warnings. Gallardo received the decision on scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93.
Abdullaev stops Velazquez in the fifth minute
Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev (5-0, 3 KO) knocked out Orestes Velazquez (8-2, 7 KO) in the fifth round of a scheduled 10-round fight.
Abdullaev scored a knockdown with a right hand to the side of the head in the first round. He controlled the next two rounds, forcing Velazquez on the defensive and steadily increasing his lead.
In the fifth round, Abdullaev landed a left wing kick that sent Velazquez to the ground. Referee David Solivan waved his hand and dismissed the fight at 1:30 of the round.
Edwards continues his cup run
2024 American Olympian Joshua “The Rocket” Edwards (7-0, 6 KO) defeated Garreth Payton (7-3, 4 KO) at 1:06 of the second round.
Edwards dominated the opening round while Payton remained largely defensive. Early in the second, Edwards landed a left hook to the side of the head, causing Payton to fall and end the fight.
Griffiths stops Cristo
Cayden Griffiths (9-0, 8 KO) defeated Edgar Ayala Crisosto (12-7, 8 KO) in the third round.
Griffiths controlled the first two rounds with body punches, while Crisosto spent most of the fight on the defensive. In the third round, a left to the body sent Crisosto to a knee for an eight count.
Griffiths continued the action until a corner kick from Crisosto stopped the fight at 2:49 of the round.
Garcia wins in one round
Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (14-0, 11 KO) knocked out Christopher Rodriguez (13-3-1, 11 KO) in the first round of an eight-round fight.
Garcia dropped Rodriguez early and quickly closed out the event, extending his undefeated record with another knockout victory.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. aims to return in the fall as Golden Boy nears settlement
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Terence Crawford’s two greatest victories are marked with asterisks
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