Introduction
In a recent face-to-face conversation with Canelo Alvarez, scheduled to fight Terence Crawford on September 13, the four-weight champion found himself in the hot seat regarding his boxing history. During an episode of ‘The G.O.A.T.S,’ which features popular figures like Shaquille O’Neal, Tom Brady, and Dana White, Canelo urged Crawford to name one of his prominent opponents, causing confusion when he cited Viktor Postol and Ricky Burns as examples.
Unexpected Responses
Critics noted that these bouts took place relatively early in Crawford’s career, raising eyebrows among fans and boxing analysts alike. The boxing community reacted with surprise that Crawford did not mention more recognizable names like Shawn Porter or Errol Spence Jr., both of whom represent higher-profile competition on his resume.
Yordenis Ugas, who faced both Porter and Spence, expressed his bewilderment, stating:
“Canelo criticizes Crawford for lacking elite opponents, and when pressed for a name, Crawford mentions Postol, who suffered a sparring loss to someone in their 40s. Then he adds Burns, a name I associate with Scotland, but not a face I recognize. One would expect Crawford to reference Gamboa, Porter, or Spence—significant names in boxing.”
Critique from Peers
Devin Haney, a current figure on pound-for-pound lists, also questioned Crawford’s choice, stating:
“He has notable fighters like Errol, Porter, Brook, Khan, and Gamboa on his record; I don’t understand why he picked those two.”
Stephen ‘Breadman’ Edwards, a trainer, pointed out the shift in definitions of elite, remarking on Errol Spence, a consistent presence in pound-for-pound discussions and a three-belt champion—therefore, a puzzling omission from Crawford’s triumphs. Former fighter Ashley Theophane added:
“Crawford should highlight the names of Porter, Spence, and Gamboa, as Burns and Postol don’t carry the same weight.”
Legacy Comparisons
These critiques echo a long-standing question posed by World Boxing News regarding Crawford’s overall opponent quality. In an earlier article titled ‘The Great P4P Debate,’ WBN indicated that, prior to facing Porter, Crawford’s record of 19 wins in world title fights was established against notably weaker opposition.
Despite maintaining an unblemished record up until 2021, the absence of elite competition during this stretch resulted in Crawford being left out of WBN’s top five pound-for-pound rankings until his win over Spence.
Conclusion
Furthermore, Crawford’s accomplishments in the ring pale in comparison to Canelo’s impressive list of defeated opponents, which includes Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Gennadiy Golovkin, and Jermell Charlo—underscoring the disparity between their legacies. This begs the question—why was Crawford unprepared for such inquiries about his legacy? Does he genuinely regard Burns and Postol as the pinnacles of his achievements, or is he supremely confident in his standing within the sport? Comparisons to Canelo’s illustrious career, it seems, will always be challenging for Crawford to navigate.
