Giving LeBron James’ Example, Terence Crawford Hits Out at Getting the ‘Floyd Mayweather Treatment’ From Boxing Fans

Floyd Mayweather was a master of storytelling. The Michigan-born boxer’s brash, flamboyant, and bold persona, amplified by his perfect 50-0 record, made him a magnet for fans who paid big just to see him fall. However, he never faltered. In current times, Terence Crawford might resemble him somehow. With an unbeaten 41-0 record, the Nebraska native stands among boxing’s elite. Yet, criticism follows him relentlessly. Fans bet against him in every fight, expecting his defeat, but he always prevails. So, is Crawford facing the same polarizing treatment as Mayweather? Let’s hear what the man himself has to say.

Terence Crawford gives critics a reality check

Recently, Bud sat down with former Denver Broncos tight end, Shannon Sharpe for a candid discussion about modern boxing. As the conversation continued, the NFL Hall of Famer noted how critics always downplay Terence Crawford’s achievements. He asked, “Maybe you run into the same thing as Floyd. I believe a lot of people started watching Floyd fights to see him lose. Do you think people tune in to watch you lose?”

The 41-0 boxer didn’t hesitate, “Defo,” he shot back, but brushed off the negativity as mere noise. “I don’t care what what what you think about me. I don’t care what you say about me, you’re not in the position that I’m in, to even be on the same level as me, you know,” he stated. For a split second, his confidence echoed Floyd Mayweather’s infamous swagger, but Crawford quickly set the record straight. “I don’t say that in a cocky way i say that in a honest way,” he clarified.

The 37-year-old drew parallels with LeBron James, noting how fans mock stars for slip-ups despite being nowhere near their skill level. “Like people at a basketball game, you talking stuff to LeBron James and you can’t do half of what LeBron James (does). You talking stuff about you know Aaron Rodgers and you can’t throw a 30-foot 30-yard football,” he declared. Terence Crawford argued that it is unfair to mock athletes for feats they couldn’t achieve.

He urged fans to ease up and be kinder. Constructive criticism is fine, but vicious hate campaigns go too far. Furthermore, this is not the only time he called out the fans, as he’s also blamed them for fueling division and dragging athletes down.

Reason for their own downfall

During the same Club Shay Shay podcast, Terence Crawford looked back at the time when his own “people, the urban community,” made it look like he was the biggest enemy of Errol Spence Jr. Bud has been a long-time fan of Spence and declared that it was because of the fans that the division between them grew. “Why can’t you like me and like him (Spence)? Ain’t nothing wrong with that,” he said.

While the NFL legend echoed his opinion, Crawford went deeper, stating the issue is prevalent only in “our community.” In contrast, the Mexican boxing fans rally behind every fighter regardless of the outcome. “When you look at the Mexican community, they support each other. When you got two Mexicans fighting each other, the Mexican community wins. They going to celebrate whoever. They going to win,” he added.

However, when it comes to his fights, Terence Crawford noted how there is always a scathing narrative against each boxer. “I just always felt like we our own downfall,” he declared. While he thinks that “Blacks and Mexicans” have always ruled the sport, the Black community has a lot to learn from their Mexican counterparts.

Once again, the Nebraskan urged the fans to do better. Be kinder and easier on the athletes. After all, they are risking their lives for our entertainment. For that, kind words should come out easily. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts down below.