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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 20: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Terence Crawford defeats Felix Diaz by RTD in the 10th round during their Super Lightweight fight at Madison Square Garden on May 20th, 2017 in New York City. Crawford in victory. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 20: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Terence Crawford defeats Felix Diaz by RTD in the 10th round during their Super Lightweight fight at Madison Square Garden on May 20th, 2017 in New York City. Crawford in victory. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
As Terence Crawford, the undefeated WBO welterweight champion, prepares to step into the ring against Errol Spence Jr., in what promises to be one of his most challenging fights, he dropped a surprising revelation that’s bound to raise eyebrows. With an enviable 39-0 record under his belt, one would assume Crawford is eying the iconic 50-0 record of Floyd Mayweather. However, Crawford, known for his unorthodox style and unpredictable punches, took an unexpected stance outside the ring.
During a recent interview with CBS Sports Radio, Crawford offered a rare insight into his thoughts, ambitions, and his views on carving out an impeccable boxing legacy. His revelation? He isn’t in the pursuit of Mayweather’s record. But why? What makes a champion with an immaculate track record opt for a path that’s off the beaten trail?
Not chasing Mayweather’s record
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During a recent segment on CBS Sports Radio, hosts Maggie and Perloff probed into the mind of Terence Crawford, seeking to understand his perspective on Floyd Mayweather’s towering 50-0 record. Maggie presented Crawford with the idea of pursuing Mayweather’s untarnished record, an achievable feat considering Crawford’s impressive 39-0 record. Yet, the response they received was far from what they, or any of the listeners, had anticipated.
“Nah, I ain’t even thought of 50-0. That’s Mayweather’s thing. That’s his record. I commend him and he could have that,” Crawford stated with a surprising nonchalance. It was an unexpected revelation from a fighter, especially someone who has dominated his division and remains undefeated.
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ALSO READ: On a Quest to “Fry Fish”, Terence Crawford Issues a Warning to the “Big Fish”
When asked about his interest in pursuing 11 more fights to reach the coveted 50-0 record, Crawford responded with an emphatic “Not at all”, putting to rest any speculation about his intentions. The champion made it clear that his eyes were not set on Mayweather’s record, dismissing the notion as if it were a trivial pursuit.
Crawford again opted to highlight the impressive nature of Floyd Mayweather’s resume later on during the interview.
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The greatest welterweight – Mayweather
The conversation took a deeper dive into Crawford’s perspective on the all-time greats of the welterweight division. Interestingly, his views, despite being on a path divergent from Mayweather’s, reveal a deep-seated admiration for the boxing legend.
Maggie asked Crawford, “Besides yourself, in terms of all-time welterweight division who do you think is the best pound for pound fighter in that division?” Without hesitation, Crawford declared, “It would have to be Mayweather.” His admiration wasn’t limited to Mayweather’s record, but extended to his fighting style and everything that surrounds ‘Money‘ Mayweather.
When asked to reflect on old-school fighters like Sugar Ray and Wilfred Benitez, Crawford acknowledged them as magnificent fighters but asserted, “When you talk about all-time welterweight, nobody compared to Mayweather at all.” This statement underscores the immense respect Crawford holds for Mayweather, considering him unmatched in the welterweight division.
As we await Crawford’s upcoming fight against Spence Jr., one can’t help but ponder: What would you choose? To chase after a record, or to carve your unique path? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
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