LOS ANGELES – Terence Crawford couldn’t care less that he’s being billed as the underdog for the first time in his career for his planned Riyadh Season fight against Canelo Alvarez.

Alvarez opened as a -225 betting favorite against Crawford's +185, according to original odds provided by BetOnline. For the most competitive fight of his 17-year career, Crawford came in as a near -160 betting favorite against Errol Spence Jr. in 2023. Crawford ended up crushing Spence in the fight, dropping him three times en route to a ninth-round stoppage win.

Against Alvarez, Crawford will have to overcome strength disadvantages versus the bigger-sized Mexican star.

“I've been doubted my whole career,” Crawford told The Ring during an extensive and exclusive interview. “Ask anyone who's been following me, and with all of the negative things that have been said about Terence Crawford along the way, they never thought that I would be in this place that I am now. But I did. It's funny to say, but I have been hearing this my whole career. 'I'm too small for this guy. This guy is too strong. This guy punches too hard. I don't have a chin. Or I am this or I am that.' I just take it all in and laugh. People who have negative thoughts of me have never been in the ring before. It doesn't even bother me.

“Haters are undercover fans ... once I did get my hands on [Spence, Shawn Porter, and Kell Brook], they said I got them late and bruised up. There was always an excuse [why I was beating them]. Certain groups in boxing thought these guys were going to beat me.”

Crawford kicked off his career as a lightweight, won a title there, and would end up winning undisputed crowns at 140 and 147 pounds before moving to the junior middleweight division to beat Israil Madrimov for the 154-pound WBA title in August.

Crawford has fought only once a year since 2020. He doesn’t plan on stepping into the ring again until the fall for the super fight against Alvarez. In the meantime, he’s on a one-track mind to evolve his body into becoming a full-fledged super middleweight.

“Life is great,” said Crawford. “I have been able to spend more time with my family and get a lot done back home. I am just enjoying life right now. I am excited for Canelo's upcoming DAZN fight [against William Scull on May 3]. I hope he's successful in becoming a two-time undisputed champion. Hopefully we can get the fight in September.

“I understand that they want me to fight more. But it's not their life. It just tells me they are all fans and they appreciate my skills, and even the ones who say they don't like my style. They watch. Everyone wants to see Terence Crawford. Everyone wants to see Terence Crawford be more active. But it is what it is. It's God's timing, not mine.”