Terence Crawford will fight Canelo Alvarez this year in a clash of the pound-for-pound kings.
Terence Crawford continues his quest for an enduring legacy as he is scheduled to face Canelo in the toughest test of his career.
Crawford, who may get help from Israil Madrimov against Canelo, is a four-weight world champion and two-weight undisputed champion, and has enjoyed an illustrious career that began with an amateur record of 70-12.
As an amateur, Crawford beat Mikey Garcia and Danny Garcia, both future-world champions, but fell short against one man who spoiled the party not just against Crawford, but against the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
Terence Crawford fell short against Yordenis Ugas years before his win over Manny Pacquiao
In 2007, months before Crawford’s loss to Sadam Ali, he faced Yordenis Ugas in the semi-finals for the Pan American Games Qualifiers.
Ugas defeated ‘Bud’ Crawford in one of his last fights as an amateur. Crawford fought just six more times before going pro, whilst Ugas continued for a while longer.
In 2021, Manny Pacquiao planned to return to the ring to challenge Errol Spence for his world title, but after a detached retina forced Spence to withdraw, he ended up facing the Cuban Ugas instead.
Unsurprisingly for some given Pacquiao’s age and years out the ring, Ugas spoiled the party as he handed Pacquiao his eighth loss via unanimous decision, and sent him back into retirement.
Manny Pacquiao to return against the man who beat Yordenis Ugas for the final time
In 2023, Ugas, who was coming off a loss to Spence, had his last fight against Mario Barrios for the interim world title.
Barrios beat Ugas by a wide and convincing margin, claiming the title for himself. Ugas has not fought since, whilst Barrios has fought in a lackluster performance against Abel Ramos that ended in a draw.
It has since been announced that Pacquiao will return this year against Barrios, who was KO’d years ago by Gervonta Davis.