Apr 20, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Terence Crawford looks on after winning his fight against Amir Khan during the WBO welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

mma

Terence Crawford Feels This Feat Will Make Him Top 3 P4P Of All Time

Terence Crawford believes a victory over the 168lb champion would cement his legacy as one of top 3 P4P boxers!

Boxing has always been a sport where legends are born through incredible challenges. Throughout history, fighters like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, and others have cemented their legacy by taking on seemingly impossible tasks. Now, Terence Crawford wants to join that exclusive club.

The undefeated Crawford believes that beating Canelo Alvarez will place him among the all-time greats, specifically naming himself alongside Robinson and Ali in boxing’s history.

Also Read: George Foreman Cause Of Death: How Did George Foreman Die?

Terence Crawford Believes His Way To P4P Goes Through Canelo

Crawford didn’t mince words in his recent interview with The Ring. The 37-year-old champion boldly stated that after beating Canelo Alvarez, he will rank as one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters ever.

“I’m the biggest fight [left for Alvarez]. I’m not going to say if, but when I beat Canelo Alvarez, I think I’ll be a top three pound-for-pound fighter of all time with Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali. I don’t think these spots will ever be taken. I think Canelo is up there with the all-time greats, too.”

Terence Crawford tells The Ring he believes he would be a “top three pound-for-pound fighter of all time” if he were to beat Canelo Alvarez. pic.twitter.com/ApdmQw6c0Y
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) March 22, 2025

It is a massive claim from a fighter who has already accomplished so much. Terence Crawford currently holds an immaculate 41-0 record with 31 knockouts and has already collected championships across four weight divisions. His confidence isn’t unfounded, but is moving up two weight classes to beat the bigger Canelo really enough to make him an all-time great?

What makes this potential September showdown so intriguing is the size difference. Terence Crawford has never fought at super middleweight (168 pounds), where Canelo reigns supreme. He is essentially jumping up two weight classes for this challenge. To put this in perspective, it’s like a welterweight suddenly deciding to fight a light heavyweight.

An Attempt At Greatness

Crawford’s ambition has historical context. When Sugar Ray Leonard moved up to challenge Marvin Hagler, many thought he was crazy. When Manny Pacquiao climbed through eight weight classes to dominate, boxing experts were stunned. These feats changed boxing forever, and Crawford wants his own chapter in that book.

What makes Crawford’s challenge particularly fascinating is timing. At 37, he is attempting something most fighters wouldn’t dare at that age. Canelo Alvarez, though younger at 34, has the experience advantage with his 20-year career. The Mexican star has fought at light heavyweight before, while Crawford has never ventured above 154 pounds professionally.

The beauty of this matchup lies in its unpredictability. Will Crawford’s exceptional boxing IQ and footwork neutralize Canelo’s power? Can his speed overcome Canelo’s size advantage? The chess match extends beyond physical attributes to experience, timing, and mental fortitude. Terence Crawford admits neither fighter truly knows what will happen until they are in the ring together.

(Image Credit: Sarah Stier – Imagn Images)

Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!