Terence Crawford is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world but just misses out on top spot, according to one former world champion.
Victory against Israil Madrimov on August 3 saw the Nebraska-born 36-year-old extend his unbeaten record to 41 and is only the third man to become undisputed in two weight divisions during the four-belt era.
So far, Terence Crawford has held belts in lightweight, super-lightweight, welterweight and now super-welterweight bouts, cementing his status as a boxing legend.
Terence Crawford is the ‘best fighter in the world skill-wise’ says Tim Bradley
Right now it’s hard to look beyond Crawford in terms of pound-for-pound fighters, with his only real challenger being Oleksandr Usyk – who became the first person since Lennox Lewis in 1999 to become undisputed champion of the heavyweight division.
While it’s fair to say that Usyk is currently top of the tree, former world champion turned analyst Tim Bradley believes Crawford isn’t far behind and even has the potential to surpass his legacy.
He told KO Artist Sports: “You know what, I got Usyk number one. That’s just only fair. What Usyk was able to do… If Crawford becomes undisputed at 154 then he’s gonna be number one for sure. For me, Crawford is the best fighter in the world skill-wise.”
Crawford himself also agreed with the verdict, stating that after Ukraine’s historic win against Tyson Fury, he was “definitely a candidate” for number one in the pound-for-pound rankings.
- Who is Oleksandr Usyk? Step inside the life of the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion who defeated Tyson Fury
Who will Terence Crawford’s next fight be against?
After vacating his WBA welterweight title only two weeks after his win against Madrimov, the question on everybody’s lips is: who will Crawford’s next fight be against?
Realistically there are five potential fights that Crawford could choose from but for ‘Bud’, it feels like the 36-year-old only has eyes for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
That seems unlikely, however, Canelo hasn’t ruled out the idea completely and has even made one request to Crawford in order to make a fight between the two happen.
However, reports from BoxRaw via Boxing247 claim that Gennady Golovkin has been offered the chance to fight Crawford in Saudi Arabia.
The 42-year-old hasn’t fought since losing to Canelo in September 2022 and even then, Triple G’s last victory was in April 2022 when he stopped Ryota Murata in the ninth round.
Golovkin confirmed during an interview in July 2024 that he wasn’t retired and teased a return to the ring.
He told Reuters: “I would say, never say never.
“We shall see. I am very comfortable in my position I feel great
“I am at the peak of my form and I would say if something comes up we will look into that.”