There are levels to challenges. Most people, even those with a touch of courage, tend to seek thrills within the safe periphery of their comfort zones. Why risk sailing into deep, unpredictable waters? But when did smooth seas ever make great sailors? Among those willing to venture beyond, there are a rare few who embrace the unknown, who, as ‘Star Trek’s immortal line puts it, ‘boldly go where no one has gone before.’ Terence Crawford belongs to that second category.

The first two-division undisputed champion among men is preparing for a fight that could cement his legacy among boxing’s all-time greats. In September, Terence Crawford will face Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas. A once-in-a-generation clash between two of the sport’s pound-for-pound elites. What makes this fight particularly intriguing is that Crawford is jumping not one, not two, but three weight classes to challenge the super middleweight king. While this has sparked debate across boxing circles, Crawford revealed during a conversation with Shannon Sharpe that this leap was always part of his plan. A conscious choice to raise the bar and truly test his limits.

Terence Crawford: Go the extra mile, and then some

“Why not go up three weight classes?” Terence Crawford said before adding, “I wanted to go up three, just to be honest. I didn’t want to fight at 154; I wanted to go from 147 to 168, just because I want to challenge myself.” The response surprised Shannon Sharpe, who sought clarification. Crawford is skipping 154 lbs and 160 lbs altogether.

And Crawford? He confirmed it plainly. He wanted to do it. Not for money, not for hype, but because of his competitive spirit. The fact that it’s ‘documented’ also shows he’s been serious about it for a while. The conversation took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where Sharpe and Crawford were diving deep into the fighter’s journey.

What struck Sharpe most was Crawford’s audacity. His willingness to take risks that even some of the greatest names in the sport might avoid. So, Sharpe asked when and where Terence Crawford had the realization that he wanted to fight Canelo Alvarez.

To leave a mark that no one else dared to

“It’s crazy. I don’t even know. I don’t even know where I was,” replied Crawford. That’s because for Crawford, everything is a challenge. Even a casual chat can turn into a kind of contest. Whether he’s in the gym, the ring, or on camera, his mindset is naturally competitive.

So he reflected on the missed opportunities in his career. When he failed to fight some of the iconic names that defined other generations. “You know that’s just me, so accomplishing so much and failing to have the Manny Pacquiao fights, you know, the Cotto fights, and the Shane Mosley fights that all the other great fighters had when these fighters were on their way out,” Crawford stressed.

He missed those legacy matchups that others benefited from. So how does he surpass or stand out compared to legends who had those iconic fights?

Earlier Sharpe started with a common observation in boxing. When a fighter moves up in weight, they often don’t carry their punching power as effectively against bigger opponents. So replying confidently, Crawford said that true punching power is intrinsic. It’s about technique and timing, not just size. Realistically, punches won’t have the same impact on bigger fighters, but he believes his precision and sharpness can still make the difference. So he isn’t banking on a knockout. His plan is to win rounds, control the fight, and outbox Canelo if needed.

Now that Crawford has confirmed it. Do you think it’s been a wise decision of him to climb multiple weight classes to meet the face of boxing?