Six more months to go before Terence Crawford finally meets Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. The epic showdown in Las Vegas, which many deem a potential fight of the decade, is reportedly scheduled around Mexican Independence Day. To gear up for the challenge, Crawford is putting in his all in earnest. But still, many believe he’s trying to climb an insurmountable mountain.

To face Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford has to move up two weight classes. Not to mention, he will face one of the modern era’s most skilled boxers. Needless to say, only a few seem to believe he has a fighting chance of scraping through, let alone claiming victory. But ask Floyd Mayweather Jr. The boxing great disagrees with the narrative. To him, the Nebraskan southpaw remains the ‘best fighter’ in the world. Team Canelo should better notice. It’s coming from someone who handed over the Mexican superstar his first professional defeat.

Floyd Mayweather on Terence Crawford: He’s at the top of the game!

FightHype’s Brian Mazique caught up with the undefeated former champion recently. Interestingly, the conversation began with the recurring beef between Crawford and Gervonta Davis. It’s been some time since the two had been at loggerheads. But things took a nasty turn when Davis hurled uncharitable remarks about Crawford’s family. So checking for Mayweather’s views on Tank’s antics, Mazique asked, “What were your thoughts about some of those comments that were made? I think it was about Terence’s wife. What in your mind was it? Because obviously, like you know, you’ve been in – you’ve been in this sport.”

Obviously, Mayweather knows the boxing business like the back of his hand. His response was calculated. He didn’t pick sides but subtly disapproved of unnecessary drama. It revealed what Mayweather felt about one of the most well-known boxers of the current era.

He first acknowledged Terence Crawford’s place in the current pantheon of the best pound-for-pound fighters. He replied, “I think Terence Crawford right now in the sport of boxing is the powerful, best fighter in the sport of boxing right now. Um, it’s good to see him in his position, in the position that he’s in.”

Rather than commenting on whether bringing up his family is wrong, he steered the conversation toward unity in the boxing world. According to him, promoting a more uplifting approach, boxers should support each other instead of arguing on social media.

Top-tier fighter, questionable fight choice

It may not be the first time, though, that Mayweather heaped praises on Terence Crawford. His views about boxing’s first two-division undisputed champion have been consistent. Back in 2017, around the time when the Nebraskan became the undisputed title holder for the first time, Mayweather stated, “The pound-for-pound number one fighter in boxing right now, hands down, is Terence Crawford.”

Juan Manuel Marquez also acknowledged Crawford’s fighting prowess. It’s been sixteen years since Marquez suffered a unanimous defeat at the hands of Mayweather. But he sounded unhappy while speaking about the Canelo-Crawford matchup. The Mexican legend, who has in the past critiqued fellow countryman Canelo, remarked, “I don’t like the fight.” Like many, his concerns largely revolve around the weight difference.

But sometimes, encouragement goes a long way in overcoming hurdles than mere capability or qualification. Floyd Mayweather’s generous praise should remind everyone, especially Team Canelo, that they are dealing with a bona fide boxing great.

Do you agree with Floyd Mayweather’s frank opinion about Terence Crawford?