Erik Skoglund on Terence Crawford’s Performance
In a recent interview with World Boxing News, former super middleweight contender Erik Skoglund expressed his admiration for Terence Crawford’s remarkable performance against Canelo Alvarez, while also cautioning against the idea of Crawford moving up to light heavyweight. Cited as a surprising and transformative moment in boxing, Crawford’s ascent from welterweight to dominate Alvarez at 168 pounds in 2025 has solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
“It was an outstanding fight,” Skoglund remarked, noting Crawford’s exceptional control over Alvarez throughout their clash. “I’ve only seen Canelo suffer from size disadvantages before this, with the exception of his bout against Floyd Mayweather, where he was outmatched due to inexperience. Crawford’s boxing proficiency was elite, and he executed his plan flawlessly.”
Concerns About Moving Up to Light Heavyweight
After successfully claiming titles across five weight classes — 135, 140, 147, 154, and now 168 — fans are speculating if Crawford might venture into the light heavyweight ranks. However, Skoglund, an experienced fighter in that category, believes such a leap could prove detrimental.
“Canelo took his time adapting to super middleweight. He didn’t just jump up a division and backtrack. I doubt Crawford would risk moving up to light heavyweight; it’s a substantial increase and, given his history starting at 147, he has no need to test himself there.”
The Evolving State of Boxing
In discussing the evolving state of boxing, where the emergence of undisputed champions is becoming more prevalent, Skoglund recognized the positive aspects but also highlighted the complications related to sanctioning bodies.
“On one hand, having a single champion is beneficial since they must eventually confront their mandatory challenger. However, the issue arises when different organizations impose conflicting demands, leading to significant delays in title opportunities.”
Skoglund’s concerns reflect a broader issue in contemporary boxing, where champions, including Canelo, occasionally feel compelled to relinquish titles rather than engage with less lucrative mandatory challengers, opting instead for potential higher-grossing unification bouts or rematches. Now that Crawford has reached undisputed status in the super middleweight division, Skoglund’s perspective reinforces the growing belief that Crawford’s unique combination of skill and adaptability in the sport is unparalleled in current boxing history.
About the Author
Phil Jay, the article’s author, is a seasoned boxing journalist with over 15 years in the field. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, reporting from the forefront of international boxing and interviewing numerous world champions throughout his career.
