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.
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