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Canelo Doesn't Hesitate To Answer The Crawford Or Mayweather Question
Ring Magazine
Featured Article
Keith Idec
Keith Idec
RingMagazine.com
Canelo Doesn't Hesitate To Answer The Crawford Or Mayweather Question
LAS VEGAS — Terence Crawford was diplomatic when asked after his victory over Canelo Alvarez to compare himself historically to Floyd Mayweather.

Alvarez was much blunter in assessing two of the three fighters who’ve beaten him during his Hall of Fame career.

“I think Crawford is way better than Mayweather,” Alvarez said during his post-fight press conference.

Crawford clearly outboxed the Mexican icon Saturday night to become boxing’s first male in the four-belt era to be crowned undisputed champion in three divisions. The Omaha, Nebraska, native took The Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles from Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) in a heavily hyped main event Netflix streamed globally from a sold-out Allegiant Stadium.




Crawford was previously the fully unified champion in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions.

Judges Tim Cheatham (115-113), Max De Luca (115-113) and Steve Weisfeld (116-112) scored for Crawford.

Alvarez acknowledged afterward how frustrating it became when he couldn’t execute his game plan against an intelligent, athletic tactician who fought from a southpaw stance from the opening bell.

“He’s a great fighter,” Alvarez said. “He know how to move and everything.”




Alvarez, 35, was marginally favored to defeat Crawford, who moved up two weight classes to challenge him. It was Alvarez who moved down slightly from the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds to fight Mayweather 12 years ago at nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Mayweather, who was 36 at the time, beat Alvarez convincingly. The undefeated five-division champion settled for a majority decision because CJ Ross infamously scored it 114-114.

Judges Craig Metcalfe (117-111) and Dave Moretti (116-112) scored Mayweather a wider winner over Alvarez in their fight for the WBC super welterweight title.




Alvarez was just 23 when he fought Mayweather. The four-division champion was much more experienced and accomplished when he encountered Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs), who entered their bout ranked No. 3 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.

Crawford, who will turn 38 in two weeks, became a five-division champion Saturday night. He has a respectful relationship with Mayweather, though, and wasn’t interested in comparing their resumes following his legacy-defining win.

“Listen, Floyd was the greatest in his era,” Crawford said. “I’m the greatest in my era. It ain’t no need to compare me to Floyd or Floyd to me.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer and columnist for The Ring. He can be reached on X @idecboxing


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